Integration of biomass feedstocks directly into refineries Integrating biomass feedstocks directly into refineries requires evaluation of feedstock availability/composition, infrastructure, and commercial viability
Vahide N Mutlu and Başak Tuncer SOCAR Türkiye Research & Development and Innovation Inc.
I n modern society, petroleum refineries and the petrochemical sector remain vital for economic progress, yet their traditional practices have significant ecological impacts. The growing demand for environmental sustainability has driven a re-evaluation of these industries’ reliance on fossil fuels. Renewable alternatives, such as agricultural residues, forestry byproducts, energy crops, and municipal solid waste (MSW), allow a diversification of feedstocks. However, such diverse feedstocks bring new challenges due to the different forms of biomass and, within each form, regional and seasonal variations in composition and availability. Evaluating these biomass feedstocks and how to integrate them into the production of fuels and chemicals is crucial for sustainable development. This requires deploying various newer conversion technologies such as pyrolysis, gasification, and fermentation
alongside traditional refining processes such as hydrotreating, catalytic cracking, and isomerisation. Decarbonisation efforts must target emission reductions throughout the life-cycle of petrochemical products, from production to disposal. Additionally, the issue of plastic pollution demands improved life-cycle management to reduce landfill and environmental contamination. Biomass integration, alongside conventional plastic recycling, can promote a circular economy, while biopolymers offer the potential for biodegradable alternatives (see Figure 1 ). Diversity of biomass types and feedstocks Lignocellulosic biomass, sourced from agriculture and forestry waste streams, provides a sustainable form of biomass when it does not compete with food production or
Agriculture industry
Carbon emission
Biomass
CO
+
Conventional O&G linear economy
Petroleum infrastructure integrated with biore nery
Consumption of petroleum products
Figure 1 Integrated biorefinery in the oil and gas industry as part of the circular economy ( Yeo, et al., 2023 )
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