Vertex Energy starts commercial production of renewable diesel

Vertex Energy Inc., Houston, began commercial production of renewable diesel at Vertex Refining Alabama LLC’s 75,000-b/d refining and petrochemical complex in Mobile, Ala., after completing startup procedures (OGJ Online, May 1, 2023).

After 2 weeks of downtime related to repairs on the feedstock pumping system, repair and reinstallation operations are complete. Startup procedures were completed last week, and the refinery achieved initial production on May 27, the company said in a release May 31.

With a planned production capacity of 8,000-10,000 b/d, Phase 1 of the project—which reached mechanical completion on Mar. 31—began producing renewable diesel from a primary feedstock of locally sourced soybean oil, Vertex said on May 1.