Produção de HVO a partir do hidrotratamento catalítico do óleo de farelo de arroz

Abstract

Considering the search for more sustainable fuels, the use of extracted oil from rice bran as raw material for the production of HVO is presented. This, which is also commonly called green diesel in Brazil, in addition to the ecological advantages, has the versatility of use and performance equal to or superior when compared to the non-renewable diesel equivalent. Since the Rio Grande do Sul stands out as the largest national producer of rice and, consequently, of its by-products, the choice of rice bran as a raw material is due to its low cost, oil content in the grain and its high extraction yield. The production process presented includes the extraction of crude oil from rice bran, the synthesis of HVO through the catalytic hydrotreatment of the crude oil with liquid hydrogen, as well as the recovery of ethanol used as a solvent in the extraction and excess hydrogen. Annually, more than 26.5 million liters of HVO and approximately 94 thousand tons of defatted rice bran will be produced in 355 days of 24-hour production. The economic analysis of the project is also discussed. In this, all costs related to the production and implementation of the industrial plant are surveyed. The time required for the investment to generate a return, that is, to generate profit, is about 6 years, indicating the project's viability.