On Tuesday, Honeywell launched a new simplified technology in producing renewable diesel fuel that it jointly developed with Eni SpA.
The single-stage UOP Ecofining technology is claimed to be a fast-to-market, low capital cost solution ideal for repurposing an underutilized hydrotreating or hydrocracking unit, producing higher yields of renewable diesel fuel compared to other single-stage technologies.
The technology can come online relatively quickly and with less capital expense compared to other designs, therefore, it would be beneficial for refiners who have to meet stricter regulations for sustainable fuel production.
The Econofining process converts non-edible natural oils and animal fats. It utilizes a combination of catalysts in a single unit to clean and remove oxygenates, along with other contaminants from the feedstock, then isomerize the feed to improve its cold-flow properties.
The end-result, named Honeywell Green Diesel™ fuel, is said to be chemically identical with petroleum-based diesel. The diesel has a cetane value of 80, substantially higher than the 40-to-60 cetane diesel commonly used in diesel engines currently. This enables better engine performance with fewer emissions and is also able to be blended with cheaper low-cetane diesel to meet transportation fuel standards.
It can be utilized as a drop-in replacement in vehicles with no modifications.
Other than that, Green Diesel also features up to an 80% lifecycle reduction in greenhouse gas emissions than diesel made from petroleum.
