Production of lower carbon-intensity fuels by co-processing biogenic feedstocks: Potential and challenges for refineries

Co-processing biogenic feedstocks within petroleum refineries has gained increasing attention with many refineries producing lower-carbon-intensive (CI) diesel and aviation fuels. Although co-processing has proven to be commercially viable and an effective way to produce low CI transportation fuels, it can present some operational challenges. However, various strategies have been used to reduce and mitigate impacts and potential risks. These include, pretreating the biogenic feedstock, infrastructure modifications based on specific refinery configurations, modifying the nature of the desired products as well as modifying the characteristics and percentage blend of the biogenic feed. Other options include the use of different feedstocks, such as lipids or biocrudes, or using different refinery insertion points, such as the fluid catalytic cracker or diesel hydrotreater. Although lipid feedstocks have a relatively simple chemistry and are used at a commercial scale, in contrast, biomass-derivedbiocrudes constitute very complex mixtures and co-processing of biocrudes is not currently carried out at a commercial scale. As limited information and data on co-processing is available, this review highlights the potential and challenges of using co-processing as one way of reducing the carbon intensities of refineries and the low-CI drop-in transportation fuels they produce.

Automated summary

Co-processing biogenic feedstocks within petroleum refineries has gained attention as an effective way to produce low-carbon transportation fuels. However, it can present operational challenges which can be mitigated through various strategies including feedstock pretreatment and infrastructure modifications. Different feedstocks and refinery insertion points are also options for improving co-processing.