Petrobras technology, Riograndense Refinery becomes first to produce fuels with cellulosic content in Brazil
- Refinery converts eucalyptus biomass oil into various fuels
Petrobras and Riograndense Refinery (RPR) have successfully completed an industrial scale co-processing test using 5% pyrolysis bio-oil (a non-food biomass raw material) combined with fossil feedstock. The refinery, located in Rio Grande, southern Brazil, has Petrobras, Ultra and Braskem as shareholder companies.
Petrobras provided the technology for the co-processing test conducted at RPR's catalytic cracking unit, which lasted seven days and was concluded on February 17th. A highly specialized technical team from Petrobras and Riograndense offered support throughout the commissioning, startup, operation and shutdown stages of the bio-oil supply to the process. When co-processed at RPR's FCCU, the bio-oil was converted into various fractions such as fuel gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and components for gasoline formulation and marine fuel with renewable content.
Innovative process for the refining industry. For the test, the FCCU was adapted to enable the simultaneous bio-oil and fossil feedstock co-processing. The reactor catalyst belongs to the ReNewFCC line, produced in partnership with Fábrica Carioca de Catalisadores (FCC S.A.), a joint venture between Petrobras and Ketjen.
The renewable fraction was supplied by Vallourec – Florestal unit. The bio-oil production is ISCC PLUS certified and involves the condensation of vapors generated during eucalyptus charcoal production, which helps in preventing GHG emissions.
Leading the way in biorefining. In late 2023, RPR became the first in the world to process 100% vegetable oil in an FCCU, producing fuels and feedstocks for the chemical industry, such as propylene and bio-aromatics (BTX – benzene, toluene, and xylenes), also with Petrobras´ Research, Development, and Innovation Center (CENPES) technology.
"The recent test represents a significant breakthrough for global biorefining, as it could enable wood and other agroforestry residues transformation, which are widely available, into derivatives typically produced in oil refineries," says Petrobras' Director of Engineering, Technology, and Innovation, Renata Baruzzi.
Petrobras' Director of Industrial Processes and Products, William França, emphasizes, "The innovative aspect of this new CENPES development is the bio-oil introduction into an existing refining asset, reducing the need for additional investments and opening a broader perspective in the energy transition and value generation for the industry."
According to Petrobras' Director of Energy Transition and Sustainability, Mauricio Tolmasquim, "With COP30 approaching, this innovation reinforces Petrobras' and Brazil's leadership on the international scenario, consolidating the company's role in driving technological solutions for the energy transition in our country."
The initiatives are part of Petrobras' BioRefining Program, which foresees US$ 1.5 B in investments within its 2025–2029 Business Plan. The co-processing test at RPR complies with the RD&I clauses of the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels (ANP).
The cellulosic content test is part of the ongoing efforts to transform RPR into a biorefinery in the coming years. “In line with our commitment to leading a just energy transition in Brazil, the Riograndense Refinery has the potential to become the world's first refinery to produce continuously 100% renewable products. It will become a biorefinery dedicated to producing fuels exclusively from renewable materials," concludes Petrobras’ CEO, Magda Chambriard.
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