US-headed industrial technologies, processes, and performance materials major, Honeywell International Inc (Honeywell) has announced that PBF Energy Inc., an independent US petroleum refiner and supplier of transportation fuels, would use Honeywell Ecofining technology for a potential renewable diesel project at its Chalmette Refinery in Louisiana (LA). PBF is currently evaluating the possible conversion of an idle hydrocracking unit at the plant to a single-stage Ecofining unit.
Based in North America, PBF Energy is one of the largest independent petroleum refiners and suppliers of unbranded transportation fuels, heating oils, lubricants, petrochemical feedstocks, and other petroleum products. The company has refining operations in California (CA), Delaware (DE), Louisiana (LA), New Jersey (NJ) and Ohio (OH).
According to Honeywell, the single-stage Ecofining process is a “fast-to-market, capital-efficient solution” ideal for repurposing underutilized hydroprocessing units to produce higher yields of renewable diesel fuel than other single-stage technologies.
The new process uses a combination of catalysts in a single operating environment to remove oxygenates and other contaminants from the feedstock, and then isomerize the feed to improve its cold-flow properties. Due to its simplified design, single-stage Ecofining technology can be put into service quickly, with lower capital expense than other designs.
The process produces “Honeywell Green Diesel” fuel, which is chemically identical to petroleum-based diesel and can be used as a drop-in replacement in vehicles with no engine modifications.
With current demand for renewable fuels especially strong domestically, PBF Energy is well positioned with its Chalmette facility to contribute to the growth of sustainable biofuels. Customers such as PBF Energy trust UOP to convert existing process units to renewable diesel and jet fuel production, so they can comply with more stringent regulations while saving costs and space for equipment.said Ben Owens, VP and General Manager, Honeywell Sustainable Technology Solutions.
Depending on feedstock choice, renewable diesel also features up to an 80-percent lifecycle reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with conventional diesel. The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program requires all domestic oil refineries to blend renewable fuels into the diesel pool to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which also expands domestic fuel supply.
PBF is currently evaluating the possible conversion of an idle hydrocracking unit at its Chalmette Refinery, located outside of New Orleans, to a single-stage Ecofining unit. If built the unit would produce 20 000 barrels per day of renewable diesel fuel.
A final investment decision by PBF is expected in the coming months.
If we decide to go forward with this project, UOP’s Ecofining technology will enable us to create value by repurposing an idle process unit to produce renewable diesel before competitors get their units on line. This project would also maximize the benefits of Chalmette’s strategic Gulf Coast location with excellent water, rail, and truck access to domestic and global markets with the strongest demand for renewable diesel, enabling us to realize highest rates of return, said Matt Lucey, President, PBF Energy.
