The present invention relates to a thermo catalytic process to produce
diesel oil from vegetable oils, in refineries which have two or more
Catalytic Cracking (FCC) reactors. At least one reactor processes heavy
petroleum or residue in conventional operation conditions while at least
one reactor processes vegetable oils in proper operation conditions to
produce diesel oil. This process employs the same catalyst employed in
the FCC process, which processes conventional feedstocks simultaneously.
This process transforms high heat content raw materials into fuel
hydrocarbons. It may improve efficiency for the obtainment of highly pure
products and may not yield glycerin, one by-product of the
transesterification process. The diesel oil produced by said process may
have superior qualities and/or a cetane number higher than 40. Once
cracking conditions occur at lower temperatures, it may form a less
oxidized product, which is consequently purer than those obtained by
existent technology.