András Holló

Fuel Purpose Hydrotreating of Free Fatty Acid By-products and Heavy Straight Run Gas Oil

The European Union (EU) has set a target in the 2009/28/EC directive, which aims that the share of biofuels in transportation has to be at least 10 energy % in 2020. However, only half of this target can be met by first generation biofuels (produced from sugars, oil crops, etc.). For this reason, the EU supports and encourages the development and application of advanced biofuels (0.5 energy % indicative target in 2015/1513/EC directive). So, the research and development of newer generation biofuels for Diesel engines are important, due to the high level gas oil consumption of the EU. Nowadays, the most widely used biocomponent of gas oils is biodiesel, which consists of a mixture of various fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and has many disadvantages. The actual diesel fuel product standard of EU (EN 590:2013) limits the blending rate of biodiesel to 7.0 V/V % and the preEN 16734 limits biodiesel to 10.0 V/V% maximum. . Biodiesel could be replaced by bio gas oil, which is produced by catalytic hydrogenation of triglycerides and/or fatty acids from different origins (e.g. wastes, animal fats). Bio gas oil is a mixture of nand iso-paraffins in gas oil boiling range and they are the most favourable energy source for running Diesel engines. The second generation bio gas oil is an excellent gas oil blending component and it is preferred by the car manufacturers, too. Consequently, the aim of our research work was to produce advanced biofuel, a gas oil blending component with bio gas oil content from waste feedstock. During our experiments we investigated the fuel purpose hydrogenation of waste free fatty acid by-products of vegetable oil processing (0 %, 3 %, 5 %, 10 %, 20 %) and heavy straight run gas oil mixtures on a commercial NiMo/Al2O3 catalyst. The effects of feed compositions and process parameters (temperature, pressure, liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV), hydrogen/feedstock ratio) on the quality and quantity of the main product were investigated. The applied process parameters were the following: P = 40 50 60 bar, T = 300 375 °C, LSHV = 1.0 2.0 h, hydrogen/feedstock ratio = 400 Nm/m.

Fuel Formulation for Future Drive Train Developments

Nowadays fuel quality standards provide clear instructions for both automotive industry and petroleum industry to produce vehicles and fuels for transportation. In midterm time horizon it will be changed. Fuel mix in the world but mainly in Europe will be much more inhomogeneous as it is know. Fuel development will focus more heterogeneously, different regions will have different energy pathways. Fuel producers have to be prepared for these times: it should be fuel development methodologies, that allow develop new fuel grades based on new recipes, components and additives for new uncommon engine and drive train solutions. In the process of continues fuel development more and more focus has to be done on the different market segments. This is a key factor of success in the fierce market competition of retailers in Europe. Segmentation could be based on utilization conditions, size or also fuel availability and prescriptions. Engines could be utilized at near optimal parameters if the fuel is specified for the conditions. MOL Group’s recent goal was to set up new development methods that allow developing customer oriented fuels for special utilization segments. In our paper we give an overview about the heavy duty fleet testing as an important element to meet the customer expectations. A dual driven—technology push and market pull -development is presented. Carefully organized development process together with internal (refinery, supply chain, logistics, wholesale, retail) and external partners was carried out recently in MOL Group. Based on the already utilized application testing methodology and analytical background we developed a new method for fuel development for special market segments. In the paper we will present our results and work in the example of heavy duty market segment. We present the development goal establishment based on customer value creation, method to find and built up the new test environment and the born of the new product from the idea to the market introduction. We share our experiences in the example of an already fulfilled product development process. Method is developed and already tested on the current European market needs. It has to be proved with great differences, special engine/drive train and energy supply needs, e.g. fuel cell, pure butanol fuel etc.The presented dual driven development method and the example presented in this paper are uniquely summarizes the European fuel trends, market needs and give a successful answer to the challenges. Petroleum industry can remain the primer energy supplier of the mobility if it is able to diversify the fuel portfolio based on the customer’s and vehicle producers’ needs. The presented method and product are good examples how to create synergy between automotive developments and petroleum industry opportunities.