Examining the Value Chain in Production of Renewable Diesel

Production of diesel and higher hydrocarbon fuels from natural oil feedstocks has been an active area of interest for the petroleum refining community, with much of the published work focusing on the conversion processes for these oils. A holistic view of the entire value chain, from oil preparation to finished fuel production, reveals areas of significant value that have been traditionally overlooked. This presentation will examine both the technical and economic aspects associated with the entire process of production of renewable diesel, with a particular aim to examine the processes prior to conversion necessary to remove impurities from feedstocks. In addition, we will discuss the issue of scale, as well as consideration of non-vegetable oil feedstocks and the complications that arise.