A sad note in memory of Francisco Anselmo de Barro

[NNadir]

Kind of a sad note by which to remember Francisco Anselmo de Barro.

From one of my news feeds:

Petrobras announces biorefining breakthrough at Riograndense Petroleum Refinery

Mary Bailey, Chemical Engineering November 9, 2023

Excerpts:

Petrobras (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) has announced that the Riograndense Petroleum Refinery (RPR) has successfully processed 100% soybean oil in a Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) Unit at the Refinery. This milestone was made possible through innovative technology developed by the Petrobras’ Research, Development, and Innovation Center (CENPES), processing 100% renewable feedstocks, adopting process and catalyst innovations, and generating fully renewable petrochemical products. This trial represents a groundbreaking achievement, marking the first of its kind worldwide.

With the successful outcome of the test, RPR, located in Rio Grande (RS), is prepared to initiate the production of petrochemical feedstocks and renewable fuels. These products include bio-LPG, renewable marine fuels, renewable propylene, and bio-aromatic hydrocarbons (BTX – benzene, toluene, and xylene), crucial to produce synthetic rubber, nylon, and PVC. Moreover, it was determined that the BTX concentration levels achieved in the gasoline through a novel catalyst utilization can meet the necessary criteria for formulating high-performance ultra-low sulfur gasoline.

The catalysts used in the test are from the ReNewFCC line and were produced in partnership with Fábrica Carioca de Catalisadores (FCC SA), a joint venture between Petrobras and Ketjen, which produces catalysts and additives for the refining industry.

For Petrobras’ President, Jean Paul Prates, the energy transition is an irreversible path for the company: “We are producing typical petroleum products from vegetable oil. It’s a combination of innovation and energy transition that benefits Brazil. Petrobras is once again leading significant processes of technical, economic, and social transformation, with global impact...”

This is just more talk about the much discussed energy transition that doesn't exist but is the subject of much chanting nonetheless, sort of like the chanting in Cathedrals during the bubonic plague.

I oppose biofuel crops.