abstract |
A process for producing a hydrocarbon from biomass. A feed stream containing biomass having fatty acids, mono-, di-, and/or triglycerides, and a phosphorus content of between about 1 wppm and about 1,000 wppm is provided. A heated hydrocarbon solvent and a hydrogen-rich gas are provided. The feed stream, the heated hydrocarbon solvent, and the hydrogen-rich gas are combined in the presence of a low activity hydrogenation catalyst. A spent low activity hydrogenation catalyst is recovered at the end of a run wherein the spent low activity hydrogenation catalyst contains at least 3% by weight phosphorus. |