Upgrading of Hydrofaction™ Oil to transport fuel blendstock

Hydrofaction™ is Steeper Energy’s proprietary hydrothermal liquefaction technology that converts low value biomass residues to renewable crude oil using supercritical water and homogeneous catalysis. Steeper Energy Canada (SEC) is focused on identifying optimal pathways for upgrading Hydrofaction™ Oil into renewable diesel and jet fuels. Amidst plummeting crude oil prices, such renewable fuels still command attractive ‘green’ economic premiums as well as policy support for their climate and rural development deliverables. This project focusses on Hydrofaction™ oil upgrading though hydrotreatment. Upgrading has been identified as critical for the commercialization of Hydrofaction™ by three engineering design studies. Through this Project, SEC will be extending an existing collaboration with Prof. McCaffrey at the University of Alberta along with their world class equipment and expertise in hydrocarbon catalysis. With this derisking project, Steeper will also come closer to end-users.

Faculty Supervisor:

Wiliam McCaffrey

Student:

Partner:

Steeper Energy Canada

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Alternative energy

University:

University of Alberta

Program: