Upgrading of fast pyrolysis liquids at VEBA OEL AG

Pyrolysis liquids from biomass have been tested as potential feedstocks for fuel production in petroleum refineries. As they are not miscible with standard petroleum crudes, separate upgrading by hydrotreating was suggested. Whereas catalytic hydrotreating is not feasible due to coking and plugging thermal hydrotreating can technically be realized. In both cases organic liquids were produced, which can be used as co-feeds for petroleum feeds. Due to low yields and high hydrogen consumption these processes are economically not attractive for refineries.