Brazilian refinery co-owned by Petrobras produces fuels with cellulosic content

Photo: Petrobras

Brazil’s state-run oil company Petrobras announced March 10 that the Riograndense refinery in Rio Grande co-owned by Petrobras, Ultra and Braskem has successfully completed an industrial-scale coprocessing test using 5 percent biobased pyrolysis oil combined with fossil feedstock.

Petrobras provided the technology for the coprocessing test conducted at the refinery’s catalytic cracking unit, which lasted seven days and was concluded Feb. 17.

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 coprocessed at refinery’s fluid catalytic cracking (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.

For the test, the FCC unit was adapted to enable the simultaneous bio-oil and fossil feedstock coprocessing.

The reactor catalyst belongs to the ReNewFCC line, produced in partnership with Fábrica Carioca de Catalisadores, a joint venture between Petrobras and Ketjen.

The renewable fraction was supplied by Vallourec-Florestal unit.

The bio-oil production is ISCC Plus-certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification System GmbH and involves the condensation of vapors generated during eucalyptus charcoal production, which helps in preventing greenhouse-gas emissions.

In late 2023, the refinery became what Petrobras said is “the first in the world to process 100 percent vegetable oil in an FCC unit,” producing fuels and feedstocks for the chemical industry, such as propylene and bioaromatics (BTX—benzene, toluene and xylenes), also with Petrobras’ Research, Development and Innovation Center (CENPES) technology.

“The recent test represents a significant breakthrough for global biorefining, as it could enable wood and other agroforestry residues transformation, which are widely available, into derivatives typically produced in oil refineries,” said Renata Baruzzi, Petrobras’ director of engineering, technology and innovation.

Petrobras’ director of industrial processes and products, William França, emphasized that “the innovative aspect of this new CENPES development is the bio-oil introduction into an existing refining asset, reducing the need for additional investments and opening a broader perspective in the energy transition and value generation for the industry.”

Mauricio Tolmasquim, Petrobras’ director of energy transition and sustainability, added, “With COP30 approaching, this innovation reinforces Petrobras’ and Brazil’s leadership on the international scenario, consolidating the company’s role in driving technological solutions for the energy transition in our country.”

The initiatives are part of Petrobras’ biorefining program, which foresees USD$ 1.5 billion in investments within its 2025-’29 business plan.

The coprocessing test at the Riograndense refinery complies with the research, development and innovation clauses of the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP).

The cellulosic-content test is part of the ongoing efforts to transform the Riograndense refinery into a biorefinery in the coming years.

“In line with our commitment to leading a just energy transition in Brazil, the Riograndense refinery has the potential to become the world’s first refinery to produce continuously 100 percent renewable products,” said Petrobras CEO Magda Chambriard. “It will become a biorefinery dedicated to producing fuels exclusively from renewable materials.”