UOP/Eni Ecofining™ Process
for Green Diesel Fuel
UOP has successfully commercialized the Ecofining process to convert
natural oils and wastes to green diesel fuel. Developed in partnership with Eni S.p.A,
the Ecofining process uses conventional hydroprocessing technology and
is focused on producing a high quality product that is compatible with
existing fuel infrastructure.
Ecofining process units are in development today. Our first
license is to Italian refiner Eni who plans to start-up its facility in
2010 in Livorno, Italy. Galp Energia of Portugal also plans to start-up
a facility in 2010.
How does Ecofining work?
The Ecofining process deoxygenates biofeedstocks by adding hydrogen to
produce a highly-stable green diesel fuel with a higher cetane value,
lower cloud point and lower emissions than biodiesel and traditional
petrodiesel. The Ecofining process is feedstock flexible, meaning
that it will work with a wide range of biofeedstocks from the first
generation vegetable oil options to second generation feedstock options
like algal oils and cellullosic feeds.
What is green diesel fuel?
Green diesel fuel has superior product properties to other
options available today with higher cetane levels, lower cloud
point and lower emissions. It is indistinguishable from
traditional diesel fuel and can work as a drop-in replacement or
as a valuable blend stock that will enhance the quality of the
existing diesel pool. Because it is chemically similar to
traditional diesel fuel, green diesel can be used in today's
tanks, pipelines, trucks, pumps and automobiles without changes,
which will save significant expense as demand for renewables
grows.
What are the benefits of green diesel fuel?
- Green diesel is a biofuel
indistinguishable from petroleum diesel it can be blended to any
proportion
- Green diesel can be use in any
proportion in today’s infrastructure from pipelines and storage to
gas pumps and automobiles
- Green diesel can be used in any
proportion
- Green diesel has excellent
stability and is not oxygenated
- Green diesel offers superior
cold flow properties making it more suitable for very cold climate
conditions
- Green diesel has higher energy
content per volume compared to Biodiesel
- Green diesel is a biofuel
indistinguishable from petroleum diesel it can be blended to any
proportion
- The Ecofining process is feedstock
flexible and will produce green diesel with the same superior
quality from a wide variety of feedstocks like vegetable oils,
tallow, animal fats, greases and algal oils
- Green Diesel offers lower
fossil energy requirements and reduction of Green House Gases and
NOx emissions
Diesel Fuel Property Comparison
For further information, please contact your UOP Account Representative or contact us now by e-mail using our
information request form.
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