Refinery converted eucalyptus biomass oil into various fuels by Petrobras technology
Riograndense Refinery becomes the first to produce fuels with cellulosic content in Brazil.
petrobras.com.br
Petrobras and Riograndense Refinery (RPR) successfully completed an industrial scale co-processing test using 5% pyrolysis bio-oil (a non-food biomass raw material) combined with fossil feedstock. The refinery, located in Rio Grande, southern Brazil, has Petrobras, Ultra and Braskem as shareholder companies.
Petrobras provided the technology for the co-processing test conducted at RPR's catalytic cracking unit, which lasted seven days and was concluded on February 17th. A highly specialized technical team from Petrobras and Riograndense offered support throughout the commissioning, startup, operation, and shutdown stages of the bio-oil supply to the process. When co-processed at RPR's FCC unit, the bio-oil was converted into various fractions such as fuel gas, LPG, and components for gasoline formulation and marine fuel with renewable content.
Innovative process for the refining industry
For the test, the FCC unit was adapted to enable the simultaneous bio-oil and fossil feedstock co-processing. The reactor catalyst belongs to the ReNewFCC line, produced in partnership with Fábrica Carioca de Catalisadores (FCC S.A.), a joint venture between Petrobras and Ketjen.
The renewable fraction was supplied by Vallourec – Florestal unit. The bio-oil production is ISCC PLUS certified and involves the condensation of vapors generated during eucalyptus charcoal production, which helps in preventing GHG emissions.
Leading the way in biorefining
In late 2023, RPR became the first in the world to process 100% vegetable oil in an FCC unit, producing fuels and feedstocks for the chemical industry, such as propylene and bio-aromatics (BTX – benzene, toluene, and xylenes), also with Petrobras’ Research, Development, and Innovation Center (CENPES) technology.
The initiatives are part of Petrobras' BioRefining Program, which foresees US$ 1.5 billion investments within its 2025-29 Business Plan. The co-processing test at RPR complies with the RD&I clauses of the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels (ANP).
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