ERTC 2022
Decarbonising liquid fuels with BioFlux technologies
Matthew Clingerman Sulzer Chemtech
processing capacity using innovative technologies is necessary to achieve a more environmentally conscious energy supply. Renewable fuels produced from fats, oils, and greases have become the dominant pathway. Vegetable oils,
The traditional oil and gas industry is transforming as modern fuels become cleaner and more sustainable. Consumption of biomass-based fuels will continue to increase as more renewable mandates and clean fuel standards come into effect. At the same time, expanded
seed oils, and rendered animal fats are the primary feed- stocks, but waste feedstocks such as used cooking oil are also in high demand. However, sustainability, availability, price, and quality all influence feedstock selection. Above all, producers of renewable fuels look for a process that will provide low cost of production while ensuring opera- tional flexibility. Benefits of Renewable Diesel The benefits of renewable fuels have been well-publicised throughout the market. In short, these benefits include: • Renewable diesel is chemically identical to petroleum diesel, and therefore the existing infrastructure and engines can accept these fuels without blending limits • Hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) can be blended directly with fossil jet fuel up to established blending limits • When compared to petroleum diesel, diesel produced from renewable sources can reduce life cycle carbon emissions by up to 90% BioFlux Hydrotreating Traditional renewable diesel process units are beset with operational challenges, including high hydrogen require- ments, short cycle times, and lower yield of valuable die- sel product. BioFlux ® hydroprocessing technology was developed to offer superior performance and overcome the challenges of renewable diesel production. With BioFlux technology, refiners benefit from: • Higher diesel yield • Efficient hydrogen management • Lower propensity for coking and over-cracking • Lower capital and operating expense • Reduced carbon footprint A Reduced Carbon Footprint Implementing BioFlux helps producers reduce the car- bon intensity (CI) of the finished fuels, thus ensuring that they will meet or exceed the CI reduction targets. All renewable diesel processes generate off-gas. The off-gas generated from the BioFlux hydrotreating unit not only contains hydrogen that can be recycled, but it is also rich in light hydrocarbons that can be used to generate additional hydrogen and fuel the fired heaters. By using the produced co-products, including naphtha, hydrogen can be generated by catalytic reforming. If produced in sufficient quantities, the off-gas and naph- tha could eliminate the need for supplemental natural gas, which significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the BioFlux process plant. Furthermore, with lower operating expense, longer catalyst life, and higher diesel yield, the CO₂e per MJ of diesel is up to 25% lower than traditional hydrotreating technologies. Summary BioFlux technology, developed by Duke Technologies and licensed by Sulzer Chemtech (GTC Technology), is a low-Capex, low-Opex solution for hydroprocessing bio-based materials. The advanced design features of BioFlux ensure successful management of the reaction zone to minimise formation of unwanted reaction byprod- ucts. This increases the yield of the higher-value, drop-in renewable diesel product with lower hydrogen consump- tion and reduced carbon footprint. The process offers superior operational stability for extended catalyst life and is suitable for grassroots or revamp units, either stan- dalone or in an integrated facility.
our Mesoporized zeolites really deliver
We deliver accessible zeolites optimized for any catalytic application, showing strong activity and selectivity benefits worth several millions per year. The superior performance makes refining more profitable, flexible and sustainable.
Zeopore’s technology platform offers commercially relevant catalytic benefits:
• Proven benefits in FCC, hydroprocessing, methanol conversion and renewable feed processes • Applicable to any zeolite or zeolite-like material • High tunability of the zeolitic properties • Preservation of intrinsic properties of the zeolite • Low-cost and environmental-friendly processing
The zeolite innovations of Zeopore also serve as the fundament in emerging markets such as the valorization of biomass or waste plastics, thereby contributing to the ongoing sustainability shift in the industry.
Zeopore Technologies NV Interleuvenlaan 23, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
www.zeopore.com info@zeopore.com
Learn more at Sulzer.com
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