PBF Energy selects Honeywell tech for potential renewable diesel fuel project

In Illinois, PBF Energy Inc., an independent petroleum refiner and supplier of transportation fuels, will use Honeywell Ecofining technology for a potential renewable diesel project at its Chalmette Refinery in Louisiana. PBF is currently evaluating the conversion of an idle hydrocracking unit at the plant to a single-stage Ecofining unit that if built would produce 20,000 barrels per day of renewable diesel fuel. A final investment decision by PBF is expected in the coming months.

Honeywell’s single-stage Ecofining process is a fast-to-market, capital efficient solution ideal for repurposing underutilized hydroprocessing units to produce higher yields of renewable diesel fuel than other single-stage technologies. The process produces Honeywell Green Diesel fuel, which is chemically identical to petroleum-based diesel and can be used as a drop-in replacement in vehicles with no engine modifications.

Depending on feedstock choice, renewable diesel also features up to an 80-percent lifecycle reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with conventional diesel.

“If we decide to go forward with this project, UOP’s Ecofining technology will enable us to create value by repurposing an idle process unit to produce renewable diesel before competitors get their units online,” said Matt Lucey, President, PBF Energy. “This project would also maximize the benefits of Chalmette’s strategic Gulf Coast location with excellent water, rail, and truck access to domestic and global markets with the strongest demand for renewable diesel, enabling us to realize highest rates of return.”

The Ecofining process is used in most of the 100%-biofeed units producing renewable diesel — and all of the licensed renewable jet fuel production — in the world today. UOP currently has licensed 21 Ecofining units in nine countries around the globe, processing 12 different types of renewable feedstocks.