As the renewable fuel industry positions itself for growth, refiners are adapting to complex feedstocks and mounting environmental regulations. Central to this transformation is the pretreatment stage, which plays a crucial role in renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. Given these developments, refiners should focus on optimizing the total cost of ownership (TCO)—a comprehensive measure encompassing all costs associated with the operation, maintenance and lifecycle of pretreatment units.

In renewable fuel processing, pretreatment is crucial for safeguarding the downstream process. Emerging technologies offer new perspectives in feedstock processing, particularly in the degumming stage followed by crucial adsorbent treatment. Novel approaches, like microfluidic array reactor concepts, are making headway and can improve the TCO for refiners and their pretreatment units.

Process intensification technologies can achieve improved degumming results. For example, a microfluidic array reactor concept that operates in laminar flow conditions improves mass transfer between feedstocks and water to remove impurities, with additional acid or enzyme to the process. This method is effective for feedstocks free of solids, with low to moderate impurities, and a low tendency for fouling. Another approach involves increasing flow rates to create turbulence, or solely increasing pressure and temperature. Hydrothermal processes have long been used for fat splitting, but can cause issues if certain criteria are not met. Higher fouling tendencies at elevated impurity levels can lead to unexpected downtime and high wastewater production.

To evaluate the reliability and efficiency of the process for refiners or pretreatment units, assessing both short- and long-term benefits, including TCO, is crucial. Key factors in this calculation include manpower, product loss, waste disposal, utilities and downtime. Effective waste disposal strategies are essential for minimizing environmental impact and complying with regulations while managing costs. Optimizing utility usage and minimizing downtime through robust process design ensures continuous production and avoids costly disruptions.

The established degumming process with TONSILTM adsorbents has shown exceptional performance in removing impurities like metals and phosphorus from various feedstocks. Designed for versatility, TONSILTM adapts to changes in feedstock composition, ensuring consistent purification outcomes. This adaptability enhances both the efficiency and reliability of pretreatment, making TONSILTM an excellent choice for modern renewable fuel production.

Building on its success in traditional pretreatment, TONSILTM can also be integrated as an advanced polishing material within new degumming processes. This integration further refines feedstock purification, empowering refiners to achieve a more favorable TCO and improved renewable fuel production outcomes.

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