Santa Maria Renewable Resources selects Topsoe technology for renewable diesel, SAF project in Texas

Photo: Topsoe

Topsoe, a global leader in carbon emission reduction technologies, announced Nov. 28 that it has signed licensing and engineering agreements with Santa Maria Renewable Resources LLC to develop a project focusing on the production of renewable fuels from various renewable feedstocks.

The proposed project, located in East Texas, plans to produce a combination of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at a production capacity of 3,000 barrels (126,000 gallons) per day.

The project is expected to start up in 2026 and will contribute to reduced emissions in the long-distance transportation and aviation sectors.

The need for a rapid scale up of SAF production is important.

Aviation, according to World Energy Outlook 2023, accounts for over 2 percent of all energy-related emissions, and today SAF constitutes less than 0.01 percent of fuel used for aviation.

Topsoe will provide its HydroFlex™ process layout integrated with the company’s H2bridge™ technology to further reduce the carbon intensity of the renewable jet and diesel produced from the plant.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Santa Maria on this project,” said Henrik Rasmussen, Topsoe’s managing director for the Americas. “Our shared commitment to support the renewable fuels market makes this collaboration a natural fit, and we look forward to seeing the positive impacts this project will bring.”

Pat Sanchez, founder and CEO of Santa Maria Renewable Resources, added, “Topsoe offers the optimal package of technical services for us to develop our renewable fuels project. The Topsoe team understands our value proposition and was very responsive towards deploying their proven technology in our integrated circular-economy project.”

Renewable fuels are low-carbon fuels that are chemically identical to regular petroleum diesel or jet fuel but made from renewable sources.

These renewable fuels produce fewer greenhouse-gas emissions while performing the same as conventional petroleum diesel or jet fuel.

They can be used as a drop-in fuel without modification to engines or fueling infrastructure.

Renewable fuels are made from waste oils, animal fats, virgin oils or liquefied solid waste.

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With HydroFlex™, customers can convert various fat, oils and greases into drop-in renewable jet and diesel that meets all globally accepted specifications for these fuels.

Topsoe’s HydroFlex™ can be deployed in both grassroots units and revamps for coprocessing or standalone applications.

The H2bridge™ technology replaces external fossil feedstocks for production of hydrogen by processing the waste propane and offgases from the HydroFlex™ process and converting it into green hydrogen that is then consumed in the same process (i.e. HydroFlex™).

This patented process integration provides the customers with an improved carbon-intensity score.

Santa Maria Renewable Resources is a Houston-headquartered vertically integrated renewable energy and biobased production developer.

The company is developing a unique approach to combine climate-smart design with proven technologies in renewable energy.