HVO pretreatment systems
Rising demand for hydrotreated vegetable oil fuel (HVO) is transforming the renewable energy industry. As production scales up, HVO biofuel producers require reliable pretreatment to prepare feedstocks for hydroprocessing. Alfa Laval HVO pretreatment systems convert used cooking oils, recycled animal fats, and waste fats and oils into clean, stable feedstocks. The result is higher yields, smoother operation, and consistent production of HVO renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Your trusted partner for HVO pretreatment
- Stay agile with flexible pretreatment systems that process the broadest range of feedstocks – today and tomorrow
- Maximize yields of high-quality pretreated fats and oils
- Increase uptime and reduce maintenance costs
- Rely on proven wastewater treatment and water-recycling technologies
- Access global expertise with local service support
Get more value from every investment in your hydrotreated vegetable oil production. Alfa Laval experts guide you at every stage - from prepurchase and design to delivery, ongoing monitoring and routine service. With decades of experience in refining oils and fats and in supporting the petroleum refining industry, we understand the challenges of converting them into renewable fuels.
Alfa Laval HVO pretreatment systems remove impurities, minimize clogging, and extend the life of your hydrotreating catalyst – reducing operating costs and improving return on investment. Whether you’re building a new HVO biofuel production facility, converting an existing refinery for hydrotreated vegetable oil production, or scaling toward sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, our systems adapt to your operating requirements and available footprint.
Physical refining process or chemical refining process
Alfa Laval biofuel pretreatment systems include both physical refining processes and chemical refining processes. For HVO the preferred process is physical refining, involving special degumming and/or enzymatic degumming, adsorption, and deacidification (if required). The chemical refining process is mainly used in pretreatment of traditional biodiesel (fatty acid methyl esters), where Alfa Laval also has a vast experience.
Removal of phosphorous and trace metals
To remove phosphorous and trace metals, the fats and oils (tallow, soy, rapeseed, distillers, corn oil, etc.) as well as recycled animal fat and used cooking oils undergo degumming with acid treatment (citric or phosphoric acid), and washing and adsorption using bleaching clays or similar with Alfa Laval high speed separators and plate heat exchangers.
Chloride removal
Chlorides, if present, are removed at the front-end of the process by water washing and onward processing in Alfa Laval high speed separators and plate heat exchangers.
Polyethylene removal
Polyethylene, if present such as in some tallow qualities, can be removed by crystallization and filtration.
Fatty acid removal
In some cases, the fatty acid content must be limited to eliminate the risk of corrosion due to metallurgy in the HVO section. This can be achieved by co-processing a blend of feedstocks, if needed, as well by steam stripping the oil under vacuum conditions using an Alfa Laval Aalborg High Pressure Natural Circulation boiler, welded and gasketed plate heat exchangers and an Alfa Laval stripping column.
Case story
Applications
Download the whitepaper on HVO
This whitepaper explores the key challenges and best practices in HVO pretreatment, equipping producers with the insights needed to ensure they get the HVO pretreatment process right, on time, to maximize feedstock yields and minimize operational downtime.
Key insights:
- Comprehensive global market analysis across Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia
- Strategies for feedstock diversification
- Navigating regulatory landscapes and technological challenges
- Optimizing operational efficiency in HVO pretreatment
Key components used in the pretreatment systems
Renewable fuels production
Find out how smart design choices can help improve sustainability and profitability in plants producing renewable diesel.
Services
Food system services
Alfa Laval Food system services help extend the performance of your food systems by maximizing the performance of your processes. This enables you to:
- Continually improve your operations to maintain competitive advantage
- Focus on uptime, optimization and availability
- Maximize return on investment throughout the life cycle of your food systems
Watch our HVO webinars
HVO Pretreatment Insights
