ConocoPhillips has begun commercial production of renewable diesel fuel at the company’s Whitegate Refinery in Cork, Ireland.
The production process, developed by ConocoPhillips, hydrogenates vegetable oils to produce a renewable diesel fuel component that meets European Union standards.
The refinery is producing 1,000 barrels per day (42,000 gallons US) of renewable diesel fuel for sale into the Irish market. The fuel, with vegetable oil as the feedstock, is produced using existing equipment at the refinery and is blended and transported with petroleum-based diesel.
The ConocoPhillips process can also be used to convert animal fats and oils to renewable diesel fuel.
ConocoPhillips developed the production process and conducted a successful test run at Whitegate last year. Soybean oil will be the primary renewable feedstock used, although the plant can also produce renewable diesel using rapeseed oil and other vegetable oils.
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