Hydrotreated vegetable oil is a renewable diesel whose raw material is cooking oil and is obtained through treatment with hydrogen as a catalyst. The result is a renewable biofuel that can pollute up to 90 percent less than traditional fossil diesel: fewer greenhouse gases and particles.
Renewable biofuel
Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil is a 100% renewable, particularly versatile fuel derived from various bio-based feedstocks, residues and wastes. It is totally composed of paraffins, which are molecules identical to those found in conventional diesel fuels. Because of its physicochemical structure, it can be used in a diesel engine, either as a blend or as a replacement for diesel itself.
HVO in Europe
In Spain, hydrotreated vegetable oil is already being used to generate biodiesel.
The biodiesel market has grown in Spain by 9.5% by 2021, in Italy and Slovenia by 10%.
As renewable energy evolves the role of biofuels is becoming increasingly important. Local and European regulations are evolving every year, and the incorporation of “bio” into diesel is increasing.
Among alternative fuels, HVO in particular is one of the cornerstones of the decarbonization strategy.
Demand for hydrotreated vegetable oil has increased as a result of European and national regulatory requirements that an increasing share of fuels be made from renewable feedstocks.
The Hydrotreated vegetable oil pre-treatment process requires proven and reliable processes
HVO pre-treatment systems are capable of reducing the levels of impurities such as phosphorus, trace metals, chlorides, polyethylene, and acidity in the feedstock, regardless of its type or quality. These systems utilize proven refining technologies commonly used in edible oil and petroleum refining, including conditioning, degumming (using either special degumming or enzymatic degumming), adsorption, and deacidification (if necessary).
By optimizing stand-alone HVO plants or converting existing petroleum refineries into HVO production facilities, these pre-treatment systems can help to meet the increasing demand for renewable fuels. Physical refining is the preferred process for HVO production, whereas chemical refining is mainly used for conventional biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester) pre-treatment. Fats and oils such as tallow, soybean, and rapeseed are commonly used feedstocks for HVO production.