HVO pretreatment systems
Increasing demand for hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) calls for proven, reliable processes. Renewable fuel producers can rely on comprehensive Alfa Laval HVO pretreatment systems to produce renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuels from the widest range of fats and oils, including recycled animal fat and used cooking oils. Our robust, proven solutions produce feedstock free from impurities, maximising your feedstock yields and reducing unplanned operational downtime.
Your trusted partner for HVO pretreatment
- Flexible pretreatment systems that can process the widest range of feedstocks available now and in the future
- High yields of high-quality pretreated fats and oils
- Maximum availability of your HVO units by minimising unplanned downtime
- Leading technologies for wastewater treatment and water recycling
- Global service network with local presence
Our expert advisors are with you at every stage of the HVO pretreatment journey, from prepurchase, to design and delivery, ongoing monitoring and servicing. Alfa Laval has a deep understanding of hydroprocessing oils and fats into renewable fuels based on decades of experience with pretreatment systems for edible oil and petroleum refining. Alfa Laval HVO pretreatment systems are optimized to remove impurities and reduce clogging, helping to prolong the lifespan of the hydrotreating catalyst and maximising your ROI.
Based on proven edible oil refining and petroleum refining technologies, our reliable HVO pretreatment systems optimize stand-alone facilities for HVO production, as well as oil refineries converted into HVO production facilities.
工作原理
How the HVO pretreatment process for biofuels works
Pretreatment begins with carefully engineered steps to prepare raw feedstocks such as used oils and fats. Alfa Laval HVO pretreatment systems combine advanced separation, heat exchange, and purification technologies to eliminate impurities and ensure HVO biofuel feedstocks meet the strict purity standards required for the production of biodiesel from vegetable oil and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Physical vs. chemical refining for HVO
Alfa Laval HVO biofuel pretreatment systems support both physical and chemical refining processes. For HVO, physical refining is preferred, using special degumming and/or enzymatic degumming, adsorption, and, when required, deacidification. Chemical refining is primarily used in biodiesel (FAME) pretreatment, where Alfa Laval also has extensive experience.
Removing phosphorous and trace metals
Feedstocks, such as tallow, soy, rapeseed, distillers corn oil, recycled animal fats, and used cooking oils, undergo acid degumming (citric or phosphoric), followed by washing and adsorption using bleaching clays. Alfa Laval process design based on separators, specially engineered equipment and plate heat exchangers ensure effective impurity removal with high energy efficiency.
Removing chlorides during HVO pretreatment
Chlorides, if present, are removed early through water washing, then processed using Alfa Laval separators and plate heat exchangers. This critical step protects downstream equipment and ensures reliable HVO biofuel production.
Eliminating polyethylene impurities in feedstocks
Certain feedstocks, such as some tallow grades, may contain polyethylene impurities. Customized Alfa Laval HVO pretreatment systems remove these through crystallization and filtration, enabling the processing of more challenging feedstocks in accordance with HVO purification standards.
Fatty acid management in HVO feedstock
Excessive fatty acid content can cause corrosion issues in hydroprocessing plants if the metallurgy is not compatible. Risks are mitigated through feedstock blending or steam stripping under vacuum conditions. An Alfa Laval Aalborg High Pressure Natural Circulation (HPNC) boiler, welded and gasketed plate heat exchangers, and stripping column provide efficient fatty acid removal.
Watch our HVO webinars
Download the whitepaper on HVO
This whitepaper explores the key challenges and best practices in HVO pretreatment, equipping producers with the insights needed to ensure they get the HVO pretreatment process right, on time, to maximize feedstock yields and minimize operational downtime.
Key insights:
- Comprehensive global market analysis across Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia
- Strategies for feedstock diversification
- Navigating regulatory landscapes and technological challenges
- Optimizing operational efficiency in HVO pretreatment
Renewable fuels production
Find out how smart design choices can help improve sustainability and profitability in plants producing renewable diesel.
Key components used in the HVO pretreatment systems
Applications
Service
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