LCF Member Guest Blog Post: Renewable Diesel Basics
Posted by admin on Feb. 7, 2023 / LCF Members / Subscribe 0
Guest Blogger: Article written by LCF Member: Chevron Renewable Energy Group
Renewable Diesel Production
Renewable diesel is made from the same renewable resources as biodiesel, but uses a different production process. The result is a renewable fuel that is more like petroleum diesel and meets the same ASTM D975 specification.
Renewable Diesel is Relatively New
Renewable diesel is one of the newer alternative fuels on the market. Renewable diesel has quickly become popular as it reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, delivers performance and has up to 85% less sulfur than ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD). As lower carbon air regulations and targets become more common, we believe this fuel will continue growing in popularity. Chevron Renewable Energy Group is a producer of renewable diesel (VelociD™) at our production facility in Geismar, Louisiana.
Renewable Diesel vs. Biodiesel
When looking at renewable diesel vs. biodiesel, the main similarities are that the fuels are made from the same feedstocks, offer lower carbon emissions than petroleum diesel and can be used in virtually all existing diesel equipment.
The differences are the production process and specifications. In biodiesel production, the feedstock is reacted with methanol to produce fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). With renewable diesel, the feedstock is reacted with hydrogen during a process called hydrotreating. Renewable diesel is a two-step process, versus just one step for biodiesel. Another difference is that renewable diesel has no oxygen in it, whereas biodiesel does.
Renewable diesel blends very well with high-quality biodiesel — a product we call UltraClean BlenD™. It captures the best properties of the two fuels: high Cetane, increased lubricity, lower emissions and excellent Cloud Point.
Biofuels in Louisiana
Chevron Renewable Energy Group acquired its renewable diesel plant in Geismar, Louisiana in 2014. The plant produces about 90 million gallons of lower carbon fuel annually from a variety of feedstocks. Geismar’s production capacity is expected to increase to 340 million gallons per year once expansion of the plant is completed in 2024. The expansion is estimated to bring more than 90 permanent jobs and up to 650 construction jobs to the area. To learn more about opportunities at our Geismar facility, visit our Careers page.
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