Refinery transformed eucalyptus biomass oil into diverse fuels
Petrobras and Riograndense Refinery (RPR) successfully finished an industrial scale co-processing test by using of 5% pyrolysis bio-oil (a non food biomass raw material) merged with fossil feedstock. The refinery, positioned in Rio Grande, southern Brazil, has Petrobras, Ultra and Braskem as shareholder enterprises.
Petrobras gave the technology for the co-processing test performed at RPR’s catalytic cracking unit, which lasted 7 days and became finished on February 17th. A extremely specialized technical team from Petrobras and Riograndense provided help throughout commissioning, startup, operation, and shutdown stages of the bio-oil supply to the procedures. When co-processed at RPR’s FCC unit, the bio-oil was transformed into various fractions along with fuel gas, LPG, and additives for gasoline formulation and marine fuel with renewable content.
For the test, the FCC unit was tailored to allow the simultaneous bio-oil and fossil feedstock co-processing. The reactor catalyst belongs to the ReNewFCC line, manufactured in partnership with Fábrica Carioca de Catalisadores (FCC S.A.), a joint project between Petrobras and Ketjen.
The renewable fraction was provided by Vallourec – Florestal unit. The bio-oil manufacturing is ISCC PLUS licensed and entails the condensation of vapors produced during eucalyptus charcoal manufacturing, which aid in stopping GHG emissions.
In late 2023, RPR became the first in the world to process a 100% vegetable oil in an FCC unit, manufacturing fuels and feedstocks for the chemical industry, including propylene and bio-aromatics (BTX – benzene, toluene, and xylenes), additionally with Petrobras´ Research, Development, and Innovation Center (CENPES) technology.
“The latest test describes a extensive breakthrough for global biorefining, as it may allow wood and other agroforestry residues transformation, which might be widely available, into derivatives normally produced in oil refineries,” stated Petrobras’ Director of Engineering, Technology, and Innovation, Renata Baruzzi.
Petrobras’ Director of Industrial Processes and Products, William França, highlights that “the inventive aspects of this new CENPES development is the bio-oil creation into an present refining asset, decreasing the demands for extra funding and opening a broader angle within the energy transition and value generation for the industry”.
The initiatives are a part of Petrobras’ BioRefining Program, which anticipates US$ 1.5 billion funding within its 2025-29 Business Plan. The co-processing test RPR complies with the RD&I clauses of the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels (ANP).
