08-11-2023
Riograndense refinery to process 100% renewable feedstocks using Petrobras technology
The Riograndense Petroleum Refinery (RPR) has accomplished a historic achievement by successfully processing 100% soybean oil in a Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) Unit at the Refinery. This milestone was made possible through innovative technology developed by the Petrobras' Research, Development, and Innovation Center (CENPES), processing 100% renewable feedstocks, adopting process and catalyst innovations, and generating fully renewable petrochemical products. This trial represents a groundbreaking achievement, marking the first of its kind worldwide.
With the successful outcome of the test, RPR, located in Rio Grande (RS), is prepared to initiate the production of petrochemical feedstocks and renewable fuels. These products include bio-LPG, renewable marine fuels, renewable propylene, and bio-aromatic hydrocarbons (BTX – benzene, toluene, and xylene), crucial to produce synthetic rubber, nylon, and PVC. Moreover, it was determined that the BTX concentration levels achieved in the gasoline through a novel catalyst utilization can meet the necessary criteria for formulating high-performance ultra-low sulfur gasoline.
The catalysts used in the test are from the ReNewFCC line and were produced in partnership with Fábrica Carioca de Catalisadores (FCC SA), a joint venture between Petrobras and Ketjen, which produces catalysts and additives for the refining industry.
For Petrobras' President, Jean Paul Prates, the energy transition is an irreversible path for the company: "We are producing typical petroleum products from vegetable oil. It's a combination of innovation and energy transition that benefits Brazil. Petrobras is once again leading significant processes of technical, economic, and social transformation, with global impact."
A test for the present and future of biorefining
The test became possible through a cooperation agreement signed in May 2023 among RPR's shareholder companies, Petrobras, Braskem, and Ultra. The agreement allowed for the utilization of the refinery’s facilities to conduct the test with technologies developed by CENPES.
The industrial test commenced in the last week of October, when RPR received a shipment of two thousand tons of soybean oil. A maintenance turnaround was performed to prepare the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit to receive and process this feedstock in accordance with CENPES specifications and instructions. On November 1st, the processing of the 100% renewable load began, confirming the feasibility of the operation.
A second test is already scheduled for June 2024, involving the co-processing of a mineral load with advanced non-food biomass feedstock known as bio-oil, or biomass pyrolysis oil. This process will produce propylene, gasoline, and diesel, all renewable. Petrobras is investing approximately BRL 45 million to finalize the development of these technologies. This investment in these tests complies with the Research, Development, and Innovation (RD&I) clauses of the Brazilian National Petroleum Agency (ANP).
Having successfully demonstrated the concept on an industrial scale, RPR can now explore various business opportunities for these renewable products produced. Furthermore, Petrobras will have new alternatives to consider, in the future, for its existing refineries, in addition to ongoing projects of co-processing to produce renewable diesel and dedicated units for the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel (HVO).
News Category:
-
Clariant's MegaZonE™ technology delivers strong performance at CNOOC's methanol plant
Clariant, a sustainability-focused specialty chemical company, today announced that its MegaZonE technology is delivering excellent performance on the methanol plant ...
23-07-2024
-
Borouge, ADNOC and Borealis agreement for speciality polyolefins complex in China
Borouge Plc, a leading petrochemicals company providing innovative and differentiated polyolefins solutions, today announced an acceleration of its growth plans in its ...
23-07-2024
-
ClearSign Technologies announces order for multi heater project for Texas petrochemical facility
ClearSign Technologies Corporation, an emerging leader in industrial combustion and sensing technologies that improve energy, operational efficiency and safety while ...
22-07-2024
-
Shell Blue Horizons project selects Blue ammonia technology from KBR
KBR announced today its blue ammonia technology has been selected by Shell for its Blue Horizons low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia project in Duqm, Oman. The facility will ...
22-07-2024
-
IPSMR® process technology delivers first LNG at New Fortress Energy’s Fast LNG project
Chart Industries Inc, a leading global solutions provider to clean energy and industrial gas markets, announces that its Integrated Pre-Cooled Single Mixed Refrigerant ...
22-07-2024
-
Linggu Chemical awards Stamicarbon contract to improve energy efficiency of a urea plant
Stamicarbon, the nitrogen technology licensor of MAIRE S.p.A, has been selected by Linggu Chemical Co. Ltd, a leading Chinese manufacturer of agricultural chemical products, ...
22-07-2024
-
McDermott selected for the first commercial green hydrogen and ammonia production facility
McDermott has been awarded an Early Contractor Involvement agreement from Abraxas Power Corporation for the Exploits Valley Renewable Energy Corporation project located ...
17-07-2024
-
ExxonMobil introduces Enable™ 1617 performance polyethylene
ExxonMobil today announced the launch of its Enable™ 1617 performance polyethylene (PE) grade. Ideal for thin-gauge hand wrap applications, the new resin is designed ...
17-07-2024
-
Rompetrol modernises delayed coking unit at Petromidia refinery
Rompetrol Rafinare, a KMG International Group member company, has recently finalized modernizing the Delayed Coking Unit of the Petromidia refinery, by implementing a ...
17-07-2024
-
Hexagon, the global leader in digital reality solutions, combining sensor, software and autonomous technologies, today announced the launch of HxGN SDx2, a cloud-native, ...
17-07-2024