Petrobras concluded the first production test of Aviation Kerosene with renewable content (BioQAV) in the country, which integrates the company's new generation of sustainable fuels.
In line with its commitment to developing pioneering solutions focused on reducing CO2 emissions, Petrobras is the first company in Brazil – and one of the first in Latin America – to carry out the production test by co-processing (t processing) of kerosene from fossil origin and vegetable oil, using existing refining units.
The test took place at the Presidente Getúlio Vargas Refinery (REPAR), in Paraná, and the results were considered promising.
BioQAV emits less CO2 than mineral QAV (derived from petroleum) because its formulation contains compounds generated by the hydrogenation (chemical reaction with the addition of hydrogen) of a vegetable oil.
“BioQAV will play an important role in reducing CO2 emissions in the airline industry. And Petrobras has all the skills and conditions to lead the research, development and future production of BioQAV in Brazil. With a vocation for innovation, the company is a reference in the technological development of state-of-the-art products, as well as having a history of working with sustainable fuels such as Diesel R5, with renewable content”, said Petrobras Refining and Natural Gas Director, Rodrigo Costa.
Focus on low carbon
The BioQAV production test was carried out from the co-processing of soy oil with kerosene of mineral origin in a hydrotreatment unit (where the hydrogenation reactions take place).
”This test is the result of an integrated work of research, development and innovation by Petrobras, for which different competences in processing, product quality and industrial operation were mobilized. BioQAV, produced by co-processing vegetable oils, leads to the formation of compounds of the same chemical nature as mineral QAV”, said the Director of Digital Technology and Innovation at Petrobras, Juliano Dantas.
The production of renewable QAV is the result of Petrobras' BioRefining Program, focused on the development of more modern and sustainable fuels and one of the decarbonization fronts of the company's 2022-2026 Strategic Plan.
“More than a new business program, BioRefino materializes in our strategy the reduction of emissions, provided by a new generation of renewable fuels. It is an action front that reconciles environmental sustainability with value creation. This is because we understand that innovating with purpose is fundamental – and we will only be competitive if we are able to deliver energy with low carbon emissions”Costa said.
“The project is still in the research and development phase and Petrobras is analyzing the results obtained from the initial test. Then, it will carry out new studies to evaluate the consolidation of the technology, aiming at the production of BioQAV for commercial tests”, he concluded.
Street: Petrobras
