Efficient biofuel production via catalytic pyrolysis and hydrotreatment
Biofuel production with catalytic processes in converted oil refineries is a current opportunity to rapidly expand production capacity. In Sweden, forest-based raw materials are most relevant. Catalytic pyrolysis is studied in this project as an opportunity to produce from residues a stable bio-oil that can be upgraded via hydrotreatment.
Pyrolysis of forest-based biomass followed by refinery-based upgrading to transportation fuel is a highly topical technology, to be applied by Setra and Preem in the Pyrocell plant commissioned in 2021 outside Gävle. However, due to the properties of pyrolysis oil and its high oxygen content, there are major technical difficulties in upgrading higher fractions of pyrolysis oil in existing refinery processes than a few percent. This project concerns an experimental (pilot and laboratory scale) and systemic (technoeconomy and sustainability) evaluation of a two-step process to enable an increased share of renewables in refinery processes with increased resource efficiency.
The process being evaluated builds on two catalytic steps: catalytic pyrolysis and hydrodeoxygenation. Catalytic pyrolysis produces a stable pyrolysis oil with reduced oxygen content and good properties for upgrading in existing hydrotreatment equipment. The process can increase carbon yield and thus resource efficiency. Commercial catalysts are evaluated in equipment corresponding to existing refinery technology in order to be applied industrially in the short term.
Summary
Project name
Biofuels from catalytic pyrolysis
Status
Active
RISE role in project
Project manager, researcher
Project start
Duration
30 months
Total budget
4600 kSEK