HVO Process

Module from the Process Technology Training Series curriculum.

Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) Production · Feedstock Overview

Feedstock	Oil Content (%)	FFA (% by wt)	Iodine Value	Yield to HVO (% wt)	CFPP Target (°C)	Notes
Soybean Oil	18–20	0.5–1.0	120–140	90–92%	–15 to –20	Temperate agriculture, high availability
Palm Oil	45–50	0.1–0.3	50–60	92–95%	–10 to –12	Tropical, highest yield, sustainability concerns
Tallow (animal fat)	—	0.5–2.0	40–60	88–91%	–18 to –22	Waste stream, lower cost, variable quality
Used Cooking Oil (UCO)	—	2–5	60–90	85–88%	–10 to –15	Circular economy, inconsistent specs
Carinata (cover crop oil)	40–42	1–2	110–125	89–91%	–12 to –18	Non-food, emerging feedstock
Algae Oil (future)	40–50	0.1–0.5	70–120	91–93%	–12 to –20	R&D stage, high cost, long-term potential
Hydrotreating Chemistry
Two competing pathways: Deoxygenation (DCO2, removes O as CO2 + H2O) and Decarboxylation (DCO, removes O as CO + CO2). Deoxygenation yields straight-chain paraffins; requires H2, produces lower-BTU light gases. Decarboxylation is thermodynamically favored but less selective.
Key Process Parameters
Parameter	Typical Value	Units	Purpose	Control Method
Temperature	300–380	°C (570–720 °F)	Reaction rate, selectivity trade-off	Furnace/reactor zone control
Pressure	20–50	bar (290–725 psig)	H2 solubility, conversion equilibrium	Back-pressure regulator
H2/Oil ratio	300–500	m³/m³	Saturation, prevent oligomerization	Gas/liquid separator feedback
WHSV	2–4	kg oil/(kg cat·h)	Residence time, conversion depth	Feed rate set-point
Catalyst	NiMo/Al2O3	—	Hydrotreating matrix	Periodic regeneration in-situ
Cloud Point (CP)	–5 to +5	°C (23–41 °F)	Winter operability baseline	Monitor product density
Cold Flow Pour Point (CFPP)	–15 to –25	°C (5–13 °F)	Fuel gellation risk	Isomerization stage converts n-paraffins
Isomerization selectivity	60–75%	% branching	Lowers CFPP for cold climates	Zeolite catalyst bed (H-ZSM-5)
Product Specifications (ASTM D7544)
Property	Min	Max	Units	Renewable Diesel EN 15940 Note
Density (15°C)	775	800	kg/m³	EN 15940 equivalent
Viscosity (40°C)	3.0	6.0	mm²/s	Similar to ULSD (2.0–4.5)
Cetane Number	≥70	—	—	vs. ULSD ~48–55
Sulfur content	<10	—	ppm (mg/kg)	<15 ULSD compliance
Cloud Point	—	±3	°C from spec	Variable by feedstock
Lubricity (HFFR)	≥520	—	μm	Better than ULSD (~430 μm)
Total Aromatics	<3	—	% vol	vs. ULSD ~22%
T95 (95% recovery)	—	≤360	°C	Narrow boiling range vs. ULSD

Source: Process_Technology_Training_Series_v1.xlsx · Sheet: HVO Process

© 2026 Inflection Point Engineering, LLC. All rights reserved. The content of this page — including calculation methods, reference data, written analysis, interactive tools, and source code — is the intellectual property of Inflection Point Engineering, LLC and is protected under applicable copyright, trademark, and trade secret laws. Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, modification, or derivative use in whole or in part is prohibited without prior written consent.

Disclaimer. This material is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Calculations, reference data, and methodologies are based on published standards and accepted engineering practice but are not a substitute for engineering judgment, site-specific analysis, or review by a licensed Professional Engineer. Inflection Point Engineering, LLC makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or fitness for a particular purpose of any content presented here, and shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from its use. Users assume all risk associated with applying this content to real-world design, operations, or decisions.