Vertex Energy, Hargrove Engineers + Constructors and Turner Industries – Transforming a Mobile Refinery for Renewable Diesel

Vertex and construction partner Hargrove Engineers and subcontractor Turner joined forces on an innovative and ambitious $100+ million project to transform a small refinery in Saraland into a renewable diesel production facility.

Phase I of the project entailed converting a standalone process within the refinery to manufacture renewable diesel from organic feedstocks, thereby reducing waste and contributing to decarbonization efforts. By converting a unit that once processed 30k BPD of traditional fossil fuels into one capable of producing up to 14k BPD of renewable diesel, Vertex is making a significant positive impact on the environment and economy. 

Throughout the construction process, the site employed various waste reduction strategies – metal recovered from demolition and construction efforts were carefully cleaned and reintroduced into the metals market, amounting to approximately 500 tons of usable scrap metal. The old catalysts from the converted hydrotreater were sent for metal recovery, averting landfill disposal. Around 99% of excavation spoils were resourcefully repurposed across the site for different spot projects, eliminating the need for additional dirt and rock imports and minimizing the project’s environmental footprint.

Hargrove Engineers & Constructors and their subcontractors collaborated in the mechanical completion construction effort at the Saraland site, contributing their expertise to the project’s success and ensuring sustainable best practices throughout the construction phase.

Renewable diesel produces fewer emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide compared to petroleum diesel, resulting in a lower carbon intensity that is reduced on average of 65%. With an expected phase 1 production volume of 8-10kbpd, the use of Vertex’s renewable diesel in place of traditional petroleum diesel has the potential to offset upward of 1014 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year.

In addition to putting Mobile “on the map” for innovating Renewable Diesel technology, Vertex chose to retrofit an existing site instead of building from new – reusing and improving logistics infrastructure, including product racks, an associated dock, and the Blakeley Island Terminal. 

The use of Vertex’s renewable diesel has the potential to offset upward of 1,014 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year. In addition to putting Mobile “on the map” for innovating Renewable Diesel technology, Vertex chose to retrofit an existing site, Shell’s Mobile refinery location set for closure, instead of building from new – reusing and improving logistics infrastructure, including product racks, an associated dock, and the Blakeley Island Terminal.