[Biofuel] Biodiesel Magazine - The Latest News and Data About Biodiesel Production
http://biodieselmagazine.com/articles/559048/neste-renewable-diesel-to-power-oaklands-city-fleet Neste renewable diesel to power Oakland's city fleet By Neste Oil | October 16, 2015 The city of Oakland, California, began filling up its vehicles with Neste’s NEXBTL renewable diesel in order to reduce the emissions of its municipal fleet. Oakland is the first major U.S. city to convert its entire fleet to renewable diesel. The switch from petroleum to renewable diesel took place in early October. Reduced emissions resulting from the use of renewable diesel will allow the city of Oakland to decrease its carbon footprint and help meet ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets established by the city. Oakland operates 250 diesel-powered vehicles, which include street sweepers, dump trucks, tractors, construction equipment, and mowers. The city consumes about 230,000 gallons of diesel per year. “The switch to renewable diesel supports our efforts to make Oakland a more sustainable, innovative, and vibrant city,” said Mayor Libby Schaaf. “The significant reduction in emissions provided by renewable diesel will create a healthier and safer environment for all of us.” “NEXBTL renewable diesel is a solution to reduce both greenhouse gas emissions and tailpipe emissions, which municipalities can greatly benefit from,” said Kaisa Hietala, executive vice president, renewable products, Neste. “NEXBTL doesn't require any change in logistics and it can be used by all diesel engines without modifications. Thus, fleets can be switched to renewable literally overnight. When we are helping cities like Oakland reach their emission reduction targets, we are doing our job well. That’s also our business target.” NEXBTL renewable diesel is increasingly being used by cities and corporations around the world. Many private and public fleets worldwide including Google's gBuses and UPS’s delivery trucks are relying on NEXBTL. Earlier this year, the City of San Francisco announced it will switch all of its diesel fleet to renewable diesel by the end of this year. The city of Walnut Creek also switched its diesel powered municipal fleet to renewable diesel in August. NEXBTL renewable diesel is supplied to the city of Oakland and Walnut Creek by Golden Gate Petroleum, which is one of the first distributors of Neste’s NEXBTL renewable diesel in the U.S. Golden Gate Petroleum sells NEXBTL product through NeXgen Fuel, a company dedicated to bringing next generation fuels to the market. “As an industry leader in alternative fuel distribution, Golden Gate Petroleum is pleased to offer Neste’s superior quality renewable diesel to our existing and new customers. To date, we have had no customer complaints and only positive feedback about this 100 percent sustainable fuel,” said Pat O’Keefe, vice president of Golden Gate Petroleum and CEO of NeXgen Fuel. ___ Sustainablelorgbiofuel mailing list Sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org http://lists.eruditium.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel
[Biofuel] Biodiesel Magazine - The Latest News and Data About Biodiesel Production
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/articles/365137/mississauga-biodiesel-equipment-shipped-to-havelock-ontario [image and links in on-line article] Mississauga biodiesel equipment shipped to Havelock, Ontario By Methes Energies International Ltd. | April 27, 2015 Methes Energies International Ltd. has received a second payment of CDN$200,000 (USD$165,281) from Drain Bros. for the sale of a Denami 600 biodiesel processor and a PP-MEC pretreatment system to be installed in Havelock, Ontario, Canada, as disclosed on March 30. This second of five payments was triggered by the shipping of all equipment from Methes’ Mississauga facility to the client. As expected, the process took approximately three weeks. Over the next several weeks Methes’ team, working with Drain Bros., will reinstall the equipment and the PP-MEC pretreatment system. A third payment of $300,000 will be due once the installation is completed. The company expects to take approximately six weeks to complete this next phase of the project. “The team did a great job at taking the equipment down,” said John Loewen, chief operating officer of Methes. “All went as expected including the move to Havelock, which is about three hours from Mississauga. Our team will now get busy at reinstalling the Denami 600 and PP-MEC pretreatment system. It is our goal to complete this task as soon as possible and start producing biodiesel using corn oil.” ___ Sustainablelorgbiofuel mailing list Sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org http://lists.eruditium.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel
[Biofuel] Biodiesel Magazine - The Latest News and Data About Biodiesel Production
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/articles/319087/plant-built-by-pacific-biodiesel-up-for-online-auction-feb-24-26 Plant built by Pacific Biodiesel up for online auction Feb. 24-26 By Ron Kotrba | February 24, 2015 A 2.5 MMgy multifeedstock biodiesel plant built by Pacific Biodiesel is being sold in an online auction by West Auctions, with bids being accepted 10 a.m. Pacific Time on Feb. 24 through 10 a.m. PT Feb. 26. The plant was built in 2006-’07 by Pacific Biodiesel for Energy Alternative Solutions Inc. and has been ordered by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to be sold. According to West Auctions, the plant is complete and ready for production, with an aggregate tank capacity of 112,000 gallons. The entire 10,000-square-foot plant is to be sold as one complete unit; it will not be piecemealed out. The plant includes a Shockwave Power Reactor by Hydro Dynamics Inc., various mixer, reactor and wash tanks, a Laars hydronic boiler/heating unit, and much more. For a complete list of equipment, and bidding information, click here. The plant is located in Gonzales, California. ___ Sustainablelorgbiofuel mailing list Sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org http://lists.eruditium.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel
[Biofuel] Biodiesel Magazine - The Latest News and Data About Biodiesel Production
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/articles/319210/iowa-road-funding-bill-passes-with-reduced-tax-rate-for-b11 Iowa road funding bill passes with reduced tax rate for B11 By The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association | February 24, 2015 The Iowa Legislature created a 3-cent per gallon differential tax rate for B11 and higher biodiesel blends in the road funding legislation passed Feb. 24. This provision is expected to boost the availability and sales of cleaner-burning, locally produced biodiesel. The bill was passed today by a vote of 28 to 21 in the Iowa Senate, and a vote of 53 to 46 in the Iowa House. It now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law. Under the legislation, diesel fuel will be taxed at a rate of 32.5 cents per gallon. However, if diesel fuel is blended with 11 percent or more of biodiesel, the state excise tax is reduced to only 29.5 cents per gallon. The 3-cent per gallon differential for B11 and higher blends will go into effect on July 1, 2015. “The biodiesel community thanks the Iowa Legislature for its commitment to increasing the use and availability of higher biodiesel blends,” stated Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Policy Director Grant Menke. “The 3-cent differential for blends containing at least 11 percent biodiesel will be a useful tool to build upon the progress we’ve made in cleaning up our air and supporting our economy through the use of homegrown Iowa biodiesel. The B11 differential further demonstrates Iowa’s policy leadership in expanding market access and consumer choice for renewable fuels.” “With no end in sight on the federal policy uncertainty for biodiesel, I am grateful the Iowa Legislature took this opportunity to drive sales of higher biodiesel blends,” stated IRFA Vice President and Western Dubuque Biodiesel General Manager Tom Brooks. “This 3-cent differential for B11 and higher blends represents another step forward for the economic, environmental and energy security benefits that come along with a strong Iowa biodiesel community.” Biodiesel is made from a wide range of feedstocks, including soybean oil, animal fats, distillers corn oil, and used cooking oil. Iowa produced 227 million gallons of biodiesel in 2014, roughly 16 percent of U.S. biodiesel production for the year. According to the EPA, biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 57 percent to 86 percent compared with petroleum diesel. Iowa is the nation’s leader in renewable fuels production. Iowa has 12 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce nearly 315 million gallons annually. In addition, Iowa has 43 ethanol refineries capable of producing more than 3.8 billion gallons annually, including 22 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity and one cellulosic ethanol facility currently under construction. ___ Sustainablelorgbiofuel mailing list Sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org http://lists.eruditium.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel
[Biofuel] Biodiesel Magazine - The Latest News and Data About Biodiesel Production
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/articles/281138/calif-industry-event-to-focus-on-biodiesels-unique-benefits Calif. industry event to focus on biodiesel's unique benefits By The California Biodiesel Alliance | January 16, 2015 The fourth annual California Biodiesel Conference, presented by the California Biodiesel Alliance, will be held Feb. 4 at the Capitol Ballroom in downtown Sacramento, Calif. The conference, entitled Understanding the Unique Benefits and Regulatory Landscape of Biodiesel—California's Advanced Biofuel, will showcase biodiesel’s profile as a sustainable, cleaner burning alternative fuel bringing health and economic benefits to California, including those communities most in need. CBA is honored to offer presentations by keynote speaker Fran Pavley, the author of AB 32, California’s master carbon reduction legislation, and featured speaker Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board. The conference enjoys the generous sponsorship of the National Biodiesel Board and REG (Gold); EcoEngineers (Silver); and Biodico and The Jacobsen (Bronze). As an advanced biofuel, biodiesel is a key element in the success of our nation’s efforts under the EPA's renewable fuel standard (RFS) to combat global warming because it is a renewable fuel that lowers greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 50 percent. In California, where a greater percentage of biodiesel is made from second-use feedstocks, biodiesel’s even lower GHG emissions profile also makes it a recognized key to the success of the low carbon fuel standard (LCFS), the state’s bellwether carbon reduction program. CBA is privileged to be able to begin the conference with a robust panel discussion on the focus of the day, entitled The Environmental, Health and Economic Benefits of Biodiesel. Bringing the latest national expertise, this panel also includes presentations by some of the state’s most respected environmental advocates. Two morning panels on California’s Regulatory Environment for biodiesel will provide both a broad view and important details of new developments. Regulatory and funding issues will be discussed by high-level state agency staff at the California Air Resources Board, the California Energy Commission, the California Department of Food and Agriculture and that agency’s Division of Measurement Standards, and the state office of the USDA. On the panel Clean Fuel Standards: Biodiesel's Key Role in States and in the Region, industry and environmental leaders will discuss the success of other states' biodiesel policies and the development of low carbon transportation fuels policies in the regional agreement that aims to integrate climate change and energy strategies for the entire West Coast of North America. Finally, attendees will be able to take a deep dive into some exciting new developments and technical issues with the speakers of the last panel entitled Feedstocks, Pathways, and Innovations in the Field. ___ Sustainablelorgbiofuel mailing list Sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org http://lists.eruditium.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel
[Biofuel] Biodiesel Magazine - The Latest News and Data About Biodiesel Production
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/articles/278822/france-increases-biodiesel-limit-to-8-percent-in-diesel-fuel France increases biodiesel limit to 8 percent in diesel fuel By Ron Kotrba | January 14, 2015 France’s energy ministry recently issued an order to up the allowable biodiesel concentration in diesel fuel sold at public fueling stations across France. Ministerial order DEVR1431074A increases the allowable concentration of biodiesel from 7 to 8 percent. Groups such as FuelsEurope and the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association are calling on France to keep the blend limit consistent with the standards set by the European Fuel Quality Directive (2009/30/EC) and the European Technical Specification for Diesel fuel EN590:2013, which call for a maximum of 7 percent fatty acid methyl ester content in diesel fuel. ___ Sustainablelorgbiofuel mailing list Sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org http://lists.eruditium.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel
[Biofuel] Biodiesel Magazine - The Latest News and Data About Biodiesel Production
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/articles/257823/viesel-develops-continuous-enzymatic-biodiesel-process Viesel develops continuous enzymatic biodiesel process By Brent Chrabas | December 09, 2014 In collaboration with Tactical Fabrication of Dublin, Georgia, and Novozymes of Denmark, a novel biodiesel production technology developed by Viesel Skunk Works LLC will soon be offered commercially. The innovative system features a continuous flow enzymatic reaction process that also eliminates sulfur from biodiesel when low-grade feedstocks such as brown grease are used. Today, the dominant method of producing biodiesel is through batch reactions, which can be considered inferior due to lower productivity, larger variation in product quality, and more intensive labor and energy requirements. The development of continuous reactors for biodiesel production using enzymatic catalyst has been discussed for a long time, yet there is no saleable biodiesel produced from commercial biodiesel plants with a continuous enzymatic reactor. Most importantly, reducing the sulfur to 15 ppm in biodiesel when the feedstock contains up to 10,000 ppm of sulfur compounds is currently one of the biggest technological challenges for biodiesel producers. The patent-pending technology Viesel Skunk Works LLC developed is a design of several continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTRs). In this system, only a very low dosage of the liquid Novozymes enzymatic catalyst needs to be added to the reactor. It provides for a very complete reaction with the potential of using fewer enzymes than in single-step batch systems. Moreover, this is the most economical process of biodiesel production in the industry producing a 99 percent conversion yield with any kind of low-grade feedstocks, such as waste cooking oil, animal fats, brown grease and more. The initial investment is materially lower than other conventional methods and the fully automated process guarantees production of low-cost biodiesel. The benefits of using the Viesel Skunk Works continuous enzymatic process for biodiesel production are as follows. Simpler Design Several simple CSTRs and skid-mounted injection pumps are the main components of the continuous system. Each CSTR can be easily switched to batch operation mode in the case of accidental interruption of the continuous mode. Intensive caustic washing in the current enzymatic process for free fatty acid removal is overcome by using simple resin columns, which fully convert FFAs to corresponding esters. The problem of sulfur contamination by the low-grade feedstock was solved by introducing a new, simple, patent-pending distillation system to remove the sulfur compounds from the final biodiesel product. Furthermore, this continuous enzymatic process can be outfitted with automated in-line analysis systems, which allow biodiesel quality to be assured in real time. Faster Production The Viesel Skunk Works continuous process is stable, with maximum biodiesel productivity approximately five times faster than the conventional batch process. The process can be brought up to any rate of production rapidly by automatically adjusting flow rates and quantities of reagents needed while targeting the requisite enzyme dosage using the online digital control system. Product meeting specifications set forth by ASTM D6751 can be obtained in a shorter time due an advanced mixing process. Lower Capital Investment Moderate reaction conditions, more efficient mixing technology and smaller plant footprint guarantee a much lower capital investment in the continuous enzymatic process. Furthermore, in contrast to utilizing a high-cost immobilized enzyme, which may perish with mishandling, flexibility in acquiring liquid phase, homogeneous, single-use enzymes as needed is extended to operators of this process. The technical challenge of reducing sulfur levels from up to 1,000 ppm in biodiesel to a maximum of 15 ppm to meet strict ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) requirements was also resolved by the Viesel Skunk Works team by offering a modular component capable of sulfur separation. This final component to the continuous enzymatic process makes the production of high-quality biodiesel perfectly continuous without requiring any expensive hydrodesulphurization processes or intermittent addition of hazardous organic solvents or additives in the process when using cheap, high-FFA feedstocks. Low-cost Production The largest benefit of using the Viesel Skunk Works continuous enzymatic process is being able to adapt its use to a variety of low-cost, high-FFA, cheap feedstocks such as brown grease. Feedstock costs are recognized as the highest variable cost in the production of biodiesel accounting for up to 80 percent of the material costs associated with making a gallon of biodiesel. This process allows the use of materials that may be as much as 50 percent cheaper than
[Biofuel] Biodiesel Magazine - The Latest News and Data About Biodiesel Production
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/articles/246908/isu-researchers-develop-bio-adhesives-from-glycerin ISU researchers develop bio-adhesives from glycerin By Iowa State University | November 25, 2014 Researchers at Iowa State University are working to prove that adhesives made from a byproduct of biodiesel production can offer consumers a cheaper, more environmentally friendly alternative to the acrylic adhesives currently on the market. Their goal is to produce commercially viable bioplastic adhesives that will have uses from construction sites to elementary school projects, and it all starts with some of Iowa’s biggest commodities. “The basic feedstock is glycerin, a byproduct of the biodiesel industry,” said David Grewell, a professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering. “We’re turning waste into a coproduct stream.” Eric Cochran, an associate professor of chemical and biological engineering who also works on the project, said glycerin sells for around 17 cents a pound, much cheaper than the components of traditional acrylic adhesives. “It’s almost free by comparison,” Cochran said. “And it comes from Iowa crops.” The project recently received a grant of about $1 million from the USDA to show that the technology can be competitive in the marketplace. The third and final year of the grant will see the researchers begin production at a pilot plant currently under construction at the ISU BioCentury Research Farm. The pilot plant will be able to produce up to a ton of adhesives per day, Grewell said. “It’ll allow us to better understand the materials and the economics,” he said. Cochran said the adhesives under development will contain no volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. That means the adhesives won’t give off odors or have adverse environmental or human health effects. The ISU research team is focusing on developing products for three primary markets: construction, where the adhesives could be used to create fiber board or particle board; pressure-sensitive adhesives, such as those used on the back of sticky notes; and water-based rubber cement, which could be used to fasten the soles to shoes among other uses. The project has drawn from disciplines across the ISU campus, and Grewell said the interdisciplinary approach to the work strengthens the final product. In addition to agricultural and biosystems engineering and chemical engineering, personnel from the chemistry, civil engineering, chemical engineering and materials science departments have contributed to the project. But it all starts with proving that the products can be economically competitive with what’s already on the market, Cochran said. “In the end, we want our adhesives to have real economic advantages,” he said. “We want them to come from renewable resources, and we want them to perform well.” ___ Sustainablelorgbiofuel mailing list Sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org http://lists.eruditium.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel
[Biofuel] Biodiesel Magazine - The Latest News and Data About Biodiesel Production
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/articles/208149/nora-research-shows-20-percent-biodiesel-ok-for-home-heating NORA research shows 20 percent biodiesel OK for home heating By The National Oilheat Research Alliance | October 10, 2014 Field experience with Bioheat fuel (blended heating oil and biodiesel) has been overwhelmingly positive. A recent service organization survey conducted by NORA and Brookhaven National Laboratory observed that some 35,000 buildings are currently using Bioheat containing more than 5 percent biodiesel with no issues. It is important to note that biodiesel is a specific product that meets ASTM D6751 specifications and has well-established product characteristics designed to ensure that it can be safely and efficiently blended into heating oil and diesel. Biodiesel meets detailed fuel property specifications within ASTM D6751. ASTM consists of experts from petroleum companies, equipment manufacturers and research organizations. It has defined biodiesel and blends to be fit for use in home heating systems and diesel engines. In-spec biodiesel has undergone rigorous material compatibility, combustion, lubricity, field testing, and stability studies as part of the long ASTM approval process. Unlike biodiesel, the term biofuel is general and refers to any fuel derived from a plant or tree. Olive oil, lard, or restaurant grease are all potential biofuels. None are suitable for use in a heating system. For a heating oil marketer to be ready for the next generation of fuel, the product must be a blend of heating oil and ASTM 6751 biodiesel. Winter operability is essential in serving oilheat's customers. Biodiesel blends can have a significant impact as the feedstock affects its winter characteristics. Wholesale suppliers and retail marketers need to be sure the product they sell is right for the temperatures at which it will be stored at and used. An outside tank in Maine may need a different product than an indoor tank. Currently, fuel marketers manage their respective pour point requirements independently through collaboration with competent fuel additive organizations by introducing pour point depressants at the time of blending or sale. This allows the fuel to perform at the lowest ambient temperatures associated with the marketer's footprint. This collaboration has been the basis of how fuel marketers keep their liquid fuels balanced and flowing, ensuring optimal winter performance. Being mindful of the operability specification when purchasing fuel and optimizing it to meet the temperatures in which it will operate is the marketer's responsibility—with or without biodiesel blends. If these characteristics are handled appropriately, trucks, tanks and lines do not need to be heated. Free water and microbial contamination in the fuel is an issue that the industry has wrestled for decades. If tanks are left to collect water, the water will respond to temperatures within the tank. Vigilance in managing your tanks and those of your customers is of paramount importance. With water in fuel of any type (gasoline, diesel, heating oil, biodiesel and biodiesel blends), the fuel may fall victim to microbial contamination. Exercising a well thought-out tank management program is essential. To prevent fuel marketers from buying and selling biofuels that do not meet ASTM specifications (e.g., straight cooking oil), the National Biodiesel Board and Oilheating industry state leadership groups have worked exhaustively over the past decade to help train the marketplace about the difference between raw vegetable oil or generic biofuels and ASTM D6751 biodiesel. There may be financial incentives for blending raw vegetable oils or non-ASTM specified fuels. Unfortunately, there is a small percentage (hopefully a very small percentage) of these individuals willing trade-off the risk of selling off-spec product for a pricing advantage. The NBB, NORA and the state association can only inform those who wish to know the facts. With these facts, we hope that the industry understands the negative fallout associated with being buyers and sellers of anything less than ASTM grade fuels. Our home heating systems are well-designed and robust. However, they cannot operate reliably if attempts are made to operate these systems with bad fuels. The biodiesel industry recognizes that their reputation can be damaged by the marketing of low quality, off-spec fuels and they have put great effort into developing programs such as the BQ-9000 Quality Assurance program to address this. ___ Sustainablelorgbiofuel mailing list Sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org http://lists.eruditium.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel
[Biofuel] Biodiesel Magazine - The Latest News and Data About Biodiesel Production
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/blog/article/2014/09/calif-governor-signs-bill-to-curb-grease-theft Calif. governor signs bill to curb grease theft The new law increases registration requirements for grease haulers, stiffens penalties for noncompliance of record-keeping, and gives law enforcement authority to seize vehicles involved in grease theft By Ron Kotrba | September 30, 2014 California Governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill into law intended to help combat the growing problem of grease theft in the state. Assembly Bill 1566 increases registration requirements for grease haulers, stiffens penalties for noncompliance of record-keeping, and gives law enforcement authority to seize vehicles involved in the theft of inedible kitchen grease. Biodiesel Magazine first brought this draft bill to light in an article published Jan. 28, following the California Biodiesel Renewable Diesel Conference in San Diego. Existing law already requires licensed renderers to record and keep paperwork for two years, including specific information such as name, address and registration number of IKG transporters that have made deliveries. The new law increases the penalties for noncompliance from $500, $1,000 and $2,000 for first, second and third offenses, respectively, to $1,000, $2,000 and $10,000. David Isen, asset protection manager for Imperial Western Products, told Biodiesel Magazine the new law is a step in the right direction. “But the question is, what are we going to do from here to enforce these laws, and how do we teach law enforcement, and the general public, how to be effective?” At the California Biodiesel Renewable Diesel Conference in January, Isen gave tips that California law enforcement and the general public could use to identify grease thieves. He advised to watch for an expired or fake IKG sticker on collection trucks or no sticker at all. He said grease thieves’ trucks will often lack company signage and a California business license number. Their collection vehicles are often dirty and atypical, and may be lacking a TK or TL sticker indicating it’s a licensed truck or trailer. He also said to be wary of collectors operating between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. To read the full text of the law, click here. (http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140AB1566) ___ Sustainablelorgbiofuel mailing list Sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org http://lists.eruditium.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel
[Biofuel] Biodiesel Magazine - The Latest News and Data About Biodiesel Production
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/articles/191496/us-doe-announces-up-to-25m-to-reduce-costs-of-algal-biofuels US DOE announces up to $25M to reduce costs of algal biofuels By U.S. DOE | September 30, 2014 In support of President Obama’s all-of-the-above energy strategy, the U.S. Department of Energy announced on Sept. 30 up to $25 million in funding to reduce the cost of algal biofuels to less than $5 per gasoline gallon equivalent (gge) by 2019. This funding supports the development of a bioeconomy that can help create green jobs, spur innovation, improve the environment, and achieve national energy security. Algae biomass can be converted to advanced biofuels that offer promising alternatives to petroleum-based diesel and jet fuels. Additionally, algae can be used to make a range of other valuable bioproducts, such as industrial chemicals, biobased polymers, and proteins. However, barriers related to algae cultivation, harvesting, and conversion to fuels and products need to be overcome to achieve the department’s target of $3 per gge for advanced algal biofuels by 2030. To accomplish this goal, the department is investing in applied research and development technologies that achieve higher biomass yields and overall values for the algae. The funding announced today will support projects in two topic areas: Topic Area 1 awards (anticipated at 1-3 selections) will range from $5-10 million and focus on the development of algae cultures that, in addition to biofuels, produce valuable bioproducts that increase the overall value of the biomass. Topic Area 2 awards (anticipated at 3-7 selections) will range from $0.5–1 million and will focus on the development of crop protection or carbon dioxide utilization technologies to boost biomass productivity in ways that lead to higher yields of algae. Learn more about this funding opportunity here. (https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/#FoaId561a56f3-f75c-4edc-b9f2-074b6fc76a13) ___ Sustainablelorgbiofuel mailing list Sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org http://lists.eruditium.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel
[Biofuel] Biodiesel Magazine - The Latest News and Data About Biodiesel Production
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/articles/191466/abo-launches-white-house-petition-to-encourage-co2-recycling ABO launches White House petition to encourage CO2 recycling By Algae Biomass Organization | September 30, 2014 The Algae Biomass Organization announced Sept. 30 that it has initiated a “We the People” petition to the White House and called for those who support common sense, market-driven, job-creating and emissions-reducing technologies to sign the petition, located here. (http://wh.gov/ilUxI) This is another step in ABO’s continued efforts to secure EPA approval of carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies to meet the emissions reductions targets set by the agency. The announcement was made at the 8th Annual Algae Biomass Summit, taking place in San Diego and featuring more than 600 of the world's leading algae researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs, labs, startups and global Fortune 500 companies. “We need EPA and those involved in the power generation industry to recognize that algae and other technologies can convert waste carbon into a range of valuable products,” said Matt Carr, executive director of the ABO. “Algae need CO2 in order to grow, making waste CO2 from power plants a valuable input. We believe the EPA should recognize this value and encourage the recycling of waste CO2.” “We need to look no further than the aluminum industry for a parallel,” Carr continued. “More than 70 percent of the total aluminum ever produced has been recycled into valuable products and is in use today. The industry saves more than 90 percent of the energy costs required to produce products. More than 670,000 jobs are supported and the industry produces $152 billion in economic impact. We have a similar opportunity with recycling of carbon—and EPA acknowledgement of the potential for CCU is key for our industry to reach its full potential.” The text of the petition reads as follows: “The EPA should encourage states to meet CO2 reduction goals by allowing the recycling of CO2 via carbon capture utilization (CCU) technology. This common sense approach reduces overall emissions, creates a revenue stream for utilities that offsets the cost of compliance, keeps rates low for taxpayers and stimulates economic development and job creation across the country. “Technologies are now available to utilize CO2 captured from power plants and fed directly to organisms like bacteria and algae, which can be converted into valuable products, such as fuels and chemicals, animal feed and human nutrition. The Clean Power Plan should recognize CCU as a viable pathway for compliance with new rules.” “It's important that people understand this petition is not algae-specific,” continued Carr. “We're calling on anyone who can beneficially reuse waste carbon to join us in this petition and push the EPA to accept carbon capture and utilization as a viable emissions reduction strategy.” Products made from algae are the natural solution to the energy, food, economic and climate challenges facing the world today. This tiny but powerful organism has the ability to simultaneously put fuels in vehicles, reuse CO2, provide nutrition for animals and people and create jobs for millions of Americans. More information can be found at www.allaboutalgae.com. ___ Sustainablelorgbiofuel mailing list Sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org http://lists.eruditium.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel
[Biofuel] Biodiesel Magazine - The Latest News and Data About Biodiesel Production
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/articles/166451/kelley-green-biofuel-showcases-biodiesel-ingenuity-at-cbc-event Kelley Green Biofuel showcases biodiesel ingenuity at CBC event By Ron Kotrba | August 27, 2014 Small-scale biodiesel producers have long been a source of process innovation and ingenuity, and the minds behind Kelley Green Biofuel simply confirm this assertion. Kristopher Kelley and Link Shumaker presented Kelley Green Biofuel’s approach to biodiesel production and methanol recovery at the 2014 Collective Biodiesel Conference this month in Pittsboro, N.C. Kelley Green Biofuel is an RFS2-registered small-scale facility based in Kentucky that can produce 70,000 to 100,000 gallons of biodiesel per year. The farm-based plant uses repurposed propane and milk tanks to make biodiesel. While the milk tanks were designed for cooling with Freon, they were plumbed with steam to heat rather than cool, which “works just fine,” Kelley said. The process heat and steam come from an Ag Solutions low-pressure steam boiler that has been tweaked to burn what Kelley and Shumaker call “g.esters”—or a mixed stream of glycerin and high-FFA out-of-spec fuel from the glycerin bottoms. A 15-gallon-per-minute (gpm) Alfa Laval centrifuge is used to save residence time in the soap-settling tank, which also allows water-free washing with resin columns and moves batch-processing further along in less time. A positive displacement meter is used to measure yield, for RIN recording. Kelley Green performs the 27/3 test for glycerin and uses Eurofins QTA on demand program for other testing parameters. What’s lacking at this point for testing, they said, is an in-process test for total glycerin. The process features vapor recovery to keep methanol vapors down with a venting system connected to any tank in which the volatile alcohol is introduced. They ground and bond across metal components when using plastic because plastic could build up a static charge, and use an explosion-proof motor on the variable frequency drive. Biodiesel exits the reactor containing about 4 to 6 percent methanol by volume, and enters a flash drum pulling 27 to 28 inches of mercury. Using steam the mixture temperature is raised to about 185 F, requiring about 42,000 Btu. A 5.5 gpm shell-and-tube heat exchanger is used. About 365 gallons of methanol-laden (4-6 percent) fuel is sent into the flash drum and through the methanol recovery system they reclaim about 13 gallons of methanol with 2 to 3 percent moisture. When choosing a pump for a methanol recovery system, they recommended one with a net positive suction head. Kelley and Shumaker said developing a safe and reliable methanol recovery system proved much more complicated than developing the biodiesel reaction process. ___ Sustainablelorgbiofuel mailing list Sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org http://lists.eruditium.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel
[Biofuel] Biodiesel Magazine - The Latest News and Data About Biodiesel Production
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/articles/127509/enzyme-catalyzed-biodiesel-made-from-low-quality-oils [image in on-line article] By P.M. Nielsen | July 15, 2014 Enzyme-catalyzed biodiesel made from low-quality oils In the first quarter of 2014, both Blue Sun Biodiesel in St. Joseph, Mo., and Viesel Fuel LLC in Stuart, Fla., announced the full-scale production of biodiesel based on lipase as catalyst. Production at both sites has been in operation for more than a year now. Novozymes has been the enzyme supplier and partner, and the accomplishment of full-scale production is the result of lengthy, dedicated research and development work. The new lipase technology enables the processing of oil feedstocks with any concentration of free fatty acids (FFA) and with lower energy costs than with a standard chemical catalyst. Utilizing lipases in the production of biodiesel dates back more than 10 years, and a considerable number of articles suggest the use of immobilized enzymes (Fjerbaek, L., et al., 2009). The first trials using liquid formulated lipases instead of immobilized ones took place at Novozymes’ laboratories in 2006 and resulted in the first patent filings. In 2008, the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation supported a large research effort involving universities and a biodiesel producer. At the same time, Novozymes began collaboration with Piedmont Biofuels in Pittsboro, N.C. The objectives of both projects were to find a lipase with a selling price low enough to compete in the chemical biodiesel market and to demonstrate the enzymatic biodiesel process in pilot or production scale. Originally, the collaborators believed that the result would be a low-cost immobilized lipase, but with time the most efficient process proved to be one with a new liquid formulated lipase (Cesarini, S., et al., 2013). The results led to the latest patent filing in 2012, which describes the basis for the registered BioFAME process utilizing liquid-formulated lipases as a catalyst and includes the reuse of the enzyme (Patent WO2012/098114, 2012). The final enzymatic biodiesel process consists of an enzyme reaction step followed by polishing as shown in Figure 1. The operating principle of the enzyme reactor is the creation of an emulsion with a small amount of water (1 to 2 percent), as the enzyme works specifically at the interface between oil and water. Constant and efficient mixing during the reaction is required. One crucial specification for the oil feedstock was discovered; it must not contain acidity from mineral acids added upstream. Neutralization of such acids can be ensured by, for instance, 50 ppm NaOH added as a 10 percent solution. The reaction temperature must be controlled to 35 degrees Celsius/95 degrees Fahrenheit, and the methanol added gradually to prevent enzyme inactivation. Typically, the required methanol is added during the first six to 10 hours of reaction. An efficient enzyme dosage of 0.7 percent is suggested, and with the reuse option the enzyme consumption will be close to 0.2 percent w/w on oil. It is only in the first batch that the addition of water is required. During additional batches the water from the reused heavy phase and the wet methanol is normally sufficient. Figure 1 shows the reactor in connection with centrifuges to separate the fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and glycerin after the reaction. Alternatively, gravity settling in the reactor can be used, but it requires a relatively long time to produce clear glycerin. In either case, a small loss of enzyme activity occurs in every batch. The methanol/ temperature conditions cause a slight inactivation of the enzyme, and there is a physical loss of enzyme in the separation step. Experience can ensure that the overall enzyme activity loss is limited to less than 15 percent per batch. Use of the liquid lipases was a breakthrough, as they are much cheaper to produce and provide technological as well as cost benefits. By using the lipase Novozymes Callera Trans, it is possible to produce biodiesel from a large variety of oil qualities. The ability to produce biodiesel from feedstock regardless of its free fatty acid (FFA) content ultimately makes the process a more cost-efficient way to produce biodiesel. One of the key technologies involved is the recovery of the enzyme. The reaction time of 20 to 24 hours is dependent on a certain concentration of enzyme, for example, 0.7 percent of the oil. To lower associated costs, the enzyme is collected and reused. After the reaction, the reaction mixture is separated by gravity/centrifuge into three layers as illustrated in Figure 2. The glycerin phase after separation is very different from the glycerin obtained from an alkaline-catalyzed process, as it is almost free from salt. The FAME phase from the enzyme reaction typically consists of a composition with bound glycerin less than 0.22 percent
[Biofuel] Biodiesel Magazine - The Latest News and Data About Biodiesel Production
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/articles/129164/innovative-catalysts-open-new-opportunities-in-biodiesel-market [a bit advertorial] Innovative catalysts open new opportunities in biodiesel market By William Summers | July 16, 2014 The current, widely used process for producing biodiesel dates to chemistries extant since the late 19th and early 20th centuries: batch operations, using homogeneous catalysts, batch separations, and the like. As the U.S. biodiesel industry began to expand rapidly in 2005, U.S. producers faced the persistent problems of competing with the food industry for the same feedstock—refined, bleached, and deodorized (RBD) soybean oil—and ever-increasing prices and thinner margins. Along with this came the still-simmering “food vs. fuel” debate over how US agricultural potential should be allocated. While the opportunity for a new biodiesel technology capable of processing nonfood feedstock was vast, to be commercially viable such a technology had to be better suited to large-volume commodity production, to be largely insensitive to feedstock variability, and to provide a better return on invested capital than existing technologies. For Benefuel (Irving, Texas), the challenge was to surpass the initial entry of Axens (Salindres, France) Esterfip-H catalyst, which entered the US market in 2007. In working with our partners at the National Chemical Laboratory (NCL; Pune, India), a new solid powder catalyst capable of both esterification and transesterification emerged. This new catalyst afforded high yields of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and glycerin under mild conditions (Sreeprasanth et al., 2006) using a wide variety of available fats and oils. Free fatty acids (FFA), which are common in less refined and less expensive feedstocks such as poultry fat, yellow grease, and palm oil derivatives, have long posed serious problems in conventional biodiesel processing. Benefuel licensed the exclusive worldwide rights to this NCL technology in 2006 and continued discovery and development work with NCL. Within the first year after signing the license agreement, Benefuel had developed with NCL a second solid catalyst—more suited to fixed-bed applications and thus large-scale commercial fuel production—to accompany the first powder catalyst, which is highly effective in batch operation. Both catalysts are effective in converting fatty acids (FA), fats or oils, and mixtures of these into methyl esters. Benefuel began work on process scale-up in fixed-bed reactors in 2008. To us, the path ahead was clear: The biodiesel industry needed a fully continuous, fully integrated production refinery for biodiesel—one that could receive a variety of feedstocks and process them continuously to biodiesel and glycerin. The fixed-bed reactor design and our new catalyst were at the heart of this approach. Although the wide versatility of our catalysts for esterification and transesterification were well recognized, development of other applications had to wait for process validation in biodiesel. Benefuel’s Ensel fixed-bed process is quite simple. It employs our second solid catalyst, which was developed in conjunction with Süd-Chemie India Pvt. Ltd. (Kerala) and patented in the U.S. and Japan (US 8,124,801 and JP 5,470,382) with applications in other countries. This durable, promoted, metal oxide catalyst is largely insensitive to water and effectively converts every feedstock that has been tested in numerous pilot plant-scale operations. Examples include degummed soybean oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil from dried distillers’ grains with solubles, yellow grease, beef tallow, crude palm oil, palm fatty acid distillate, and even a mixture of degummed soybean oil and oleic acid (7:3, vol/ vol). The basic design of Benefuel’s Ensel process for transesterification involves three major components: fixed-bed reactors, an oil–glycerin separation stage, and a pair of distillation columns. Each element of the process operates continuously and can be monitored at critical points with inline sensors for tight control. The process starts with renewable, inedible feedstock, requiring some minimal pretreatment to remove insolubles and water, which would otherwise displace feedstock. The catalyst is contacted with methanol and feedstock under specific conditions of temperature (190 to 210 degrees Celsius), pressure (40 to 50 bar) , and flow rate (weight hourly space velocity = 0.4–0.6/ hr), followed by recovery and refinement of the excess methanol, product separation, and FAME distillation. Still bottoms can be recycled to increase carbon efficiency, and the glycerin co-product is low in both ash and nonglycerol organic matter. The reactor is generally columnar in shape, suited for medium-pressure service at moderate temperatures in flooded mode. In this vessel, the reagents—triglycerides (TG) and an excess of methanol in the liquid
[Biofuel] Biodiesel Magazine - The Latest News and Data About Biodiesel Production
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/articles/84770/new-sustainable-biodiesel-process-uses-ethanol-from-glycerin New, sustainable biodiesel process uses ethanol from glycerin By Michigan State University | May 21, 2014 A new fuel-cell concept, developed by a Michigan State University researcher, will allow biodiesel plants to eliminate the creation of hazardous wastes while removing their dependence on fossil fuel from their production process. The platform, which uses microbes to glean ethanol from glycerol and has the added benefit of cleaning up the wastewater, will allow producers to reincorporate the ethanol and the water into the fuel-making process, said Gemma Reguera, MSU microbiologist and one of the co-authors. “With a saturated glycerol market, traditional approaches see producers pay hefty fees to have toxic wastewater hauled off to treatment plants,” she said. “By cleaning the water with microbes on-site, we’ve come up with a way to allow producers to generate bioethanol, which replaces petrochemical methanol. At the same time, they are taking care of their hazardous waste problem.” The results, which appear in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, show that the key to Reguera’s platform is her patented adaptive-engineered bacteria—Geobacter sulfurreducens. Geobacter are naturally occurring microbes that have proved promising in cleaning up nuclear waste as well as improving biofuel processes. Much of Reguera’s research with these bacteria focuses on engineering their conductive pili or nanowires. These hair-like appendages are the managers of electrical activity during a cleanup and biofuel production. First, Reguera, along with lead authors and MSU graduate students Allison Speers and Jenna Young, evolved Geobacter to withstand increasing amounts of toxic glycerol. The next step, the team searched for partner bacteria that could ferment it into ethanol while generating byproducts that ‘fed’ the Geobacter. “It took some tweaking, but we eventually developed a robust bacterium to pair with Geobacter,” Reguera said. “We matched them up like dance partners, modifying each of them to work seamlessly together and eliminate all of the waste.” Together, the bacteria’s appetite for the toxic byproducts is inexhaustible. “They feast like they’re at a Las Vegas buffet,” she added. “One bacterium ferments the glycerol waste to produce bioethanol, which can be reused to make biodiesel from oil feedstocks. Geobacter removes any waste produced during glycerol fermentation to generate electricity. It is a win-win situation.” The hungry microbes are the featured component of Reguera’s microbial electrolysis cells, or MECs. These fuel cells do not harvest electricity as an output. Rather, they use a small electrical input platform to generate hydrogen and increase the MEC’s efficiency even more. The promising process already has caught the eye of economic developers, who are helping scale up the effort. Through a Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization grant, Reguera and her team are developing prototypes that can handle larger volumes of waste. Reguera also is in talks with MBI, the biobased technology “de-risking” enterprise operated by the MSU Foundation, to develop industrial-sized units that could handle the capacities of a full-scale biodiesel plant. The next step will be field tests with a Michigan-based biodiesel manufacturer. ___ Sustainablelorgbiofuel mailing list Sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org http://lists.eruditium.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel
[Biofuel] Biodiesel Magazine - The Latest News and Data About Biodiesel Production
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/articles/76504/the-chemical-kinetics-of-glycerolysis [multiple images in on-line article] The Chemical Kinetics of Glycerolysis Glycerolysis on high-FFA, low-grade feedstock at varying temperatures will result in the same end product, but higher heat will triple throughput By Erik Anderson | May 15, 2014 The question of what oil pretreatment method is the best is an ongoing conversation among biodiesel producers and engineers. Most low-grade feed oils contain high levels of free fatty acids (FFA), which can cause soap formation in traditional biodiesel processes. Several different pretreatment methods are used commercially to assimilate or remove FFA: acid esterification, vacuum steam stripping, caustic washing and glycerolysis; we consider enzymatics to be at the precommercial stage. The most prevalent pretreatment method has traditionally been acid esterification, since it can be done at relatively low process temperatures. The goal of acid esterification is the direct conversion of FFA into methyl esters (biodiesel) using sulfuric acid as a catalyst, with an excess of methanol. During acid esterification, each mole of fatty acid converted to methyl esters produces one mole of water. The resulting wet methanol must then be decanted, neutralized and dried via fractional distillation with high reflux rates, before it can be reused. Methanol drying columns can cost millions of dollars and are the biggest users of plant energy. By not having to dry wet methanol after acid esterification, biodiesel plants can cut their thermal energy consumption in half. Alternatively, glycerolysis reduces the amount of FFA in low-grade oils without use of acid or methanol, and enables them to be converted into final product, rather than removing them and reducing product yield. The resulting glycerides formed during glycerolysis are then converted directly to biodiesel via base-catalyzed transesterification. Also, glycerolysis is done at high enough temperatures to completely dry the feed oil before the transesterification process, thus avoiding the formation of excess soaps and the decanting problems that can result. Over the past decade, glycerolysis has continued to grow in popularity among those companies successful in the industry. For example, recent articles in several industry periodicals have noted that some biodiesel producers have been using glycerolysis successfully for several years (e.g., Renewable Energy Group’s Seneca, Ill., plant). The rate of the glycerolysis reaction is determined by two variables: the initial concentration of FFA and temperature. Many biodiesel plants run their processes using steam heating systems, and are limited to operating temperatures of 350 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Although glycerolysis can be run at these lower temperatures, reaction kinetics are vastly improved when run at temperatures at or above 450 F. However, operating temperatures approaching 500 F are not recommended due to possible glycerin decomposition, forming acrolein. Some biodiesel producers may not be familiar or comfortable with high-temperature processes, and therefore tend to shy away from the use of thermal oil heating systems needed for glycerolysis operating temperatures. This concern over the use of hot oil systems is due to a lack of industrial experience, particularly with oleochemicals. Another benefit from glycerolysis is its simplicity. The only reagent needed for successful glycerolysis is glycerin, the byproduct of transesterification. In plants using glycerolysis, the glycerin produced during transesterification can be recycled back into the process, and the excess glycerin can be refined for sale as a valuable byproduct. Research at Superior Process Technologies was done to compare glycerolysis at various operational temperatures. Multiple laboratory batch-wise glycerolysis reactions were performed on brown grease at 350 F and 460 F, representing steam-heated and thermal-oil-heated systems. The lab work and data analysis was performed by Chris Sorensen with SPT. Samples were taken over the course of the reaction and run on a Gas Chromatograph-Flame Ionization Detector to determine compositional makeup versus reaction time. The initial brown grease was determined to have an acid number of 100 (with 50 percent FFA) via wet chemistry titration prior to glycerolysis. Each batch was brought up to their respective temperatures under inert conditions using a nitrogen purge before charging glycerin. Eight batches were run in total at varying temperatures and FFA concentrations. By graphing the average acid numbers versus time of each reaction, the difference in the rate of FFA reduction can be seen in Figure 1. At 460 F, the FFA concentration is lowered rapidly in the first hour, and well below 1 percent FFA within several hours. In comparison, the reaction at 350 F did lower the FFA below 2
[Biofuel] Biodiesel Magazine - The Latest News and Data About Biodiesel Production
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/articles/70062/tenn-professor-philip-ye-receives-award-for-glycerin-research [Perhaps, someday, biodiesel homebrewers will be able to use their glycerin byproduct for something other than compost.] Tenn. professor 'Philip' Ye receives award for glycerin research By The American Cleaning Institute | May 07, 2014 Research aimed at finding ways to overcome roadblocks to industrial production of value-added chemicals from glycerin is being honored with the 2014 Glycerine Innovation Award. The yearly honor is sponsored by the American Cleaning Institute and the National Biodiesel Board and is presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Oil Chemists’ Society. The 2014 honoree is Xiaofei “Philip” Ye, associate professor at the University of Tennessee's Department of Biosystems Engineering Soil Science. The ACI/NBB Glycerine Innovation Award recognizes outstanding achievement for research into new applications for glycerin, with particular emphasis on commercial viability. Ye undertook his research in response to the rapid growth of the biodiesel industry worldwide resulting in the production of large amounts of glycerin, creating an urgent need to quickly and effectively convert crude glycerin into value-added chemical products. Three major commodity chemicals that can be derived from glycerin—acrylic acid, lactic acid, and propylene glycol—have attracted extensive research worldwide in recent years. These chemicals serve as building blocks for plastics and polymers that are environmentally friendly, with wide applications in superabsorbent polymers, textile treating agents, adhesives, thermosetting resin and synthetic fibers. However, there are still “bottleneck problems” hindering the industrial production of these chemicals from glycerin. “These bottleneck problems are the use of crude glycerin instead of purified glycerin as feedstock, the catalyst deactivation in the conversion of glycerin, and energy and hydrogen efficiency in the conversion of glycerin,” said Ye. “My research focuses on innovative technology development to overcome these bottleneck problems. In addition, I also conducted engineering modeling and economic analysis that justify and promote the use of innovative technologies for the commercial production of value-added chemicals from glycerin.” Ye’s recent research in this area has been published in such journals as the Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society, ChemSusChem, Biofuels, Fuel Processing Technology, and Catalysis Letters. ___ Sustainablelorgbiofuel mailing list Sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org http://lists.eruditium.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel
[Biofuel] Biodiesel Magazine - The Latest News and Data About Biodiesel Production
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/blog/article/2014/04/small-scale-biodiesel-successes-from-coast-to-coast Small-scale biodiesel successes from coast to coast Two community-scale producers, one in South Carolina and the other in California, find success in troubling times By Ron Kotrba | April 23, 2014 “Bio” Joe Renwick, co-founder of Midlands Biofuels, called me yesterday—on Earth Day—to share some great news. Midlands Biofuels is a community-scale biodiesel producer in Winnsboro, S.C., and “Bio” Joe tells me they have just won the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s (DHEC) 2013 Outstanding Business of the Year “Spare the Air” Award. The purpose of the Spare the Air Award is to recognize environmental leaders that have made a voluntary commitment to promote and practice air quality improvement in South Carolina. Those nominated, according to DHEC, should demonstrate continuous environmental improvement through such practices as energy conservation, behavioral modifications, and other strategies to improve air quality. The goals of the award are to promote a healthier environment through air quality initiatives that are sustainable and replicable; to educate, build awareness, and motivate others to make better decisions about the environment through air quality improvements; to encourage positive behavioral changes that improve air quality; and to strengthen and build partnerships with businesses, organizations and the citizens of South Carolina to improve air quality. “Bio” Joe says Midlands Biofuels is scheduled to hold a press conference today at the plant. Previous recipients of the award include Boeing and Bosch, “Bio” Joe says. Another great milestone for Midlands Biofuels is that in first quarter of this year—a time when many plants have slowed production due to the lapse of the $1-per-gallon federal tax credit and the uncertainties with the U.S. EPA’s renewable volume obligations under the renewable fuel standard (RFS) for this year and next—Midlands has achieved its highest production numbers to date. Congratulations Midlands Biofuels and “Bio” Joe! Clear across the country in Chico, Calif., biodiesel equipment maker Springboard Biodiesel is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new, 1,000-gallon-per-day biodiesel production facility on May 1 at 5:30 p.m. Known for its small-scale biodiesel processing systems (the BioPro), sales of which approach 1,000 units over the past six years, Springboard Biodiesel announced nearly two months ago its launch of a local biodiesel buyers club for individuals and companies in the Butte County area. Springboard received a grant from the California Energy Commission that gave the company the opportunity to design and build a new, larger biodiesel production facility in Chico. “With the help of the CEC and countless organizations in and around Butte County, Springboard is ready to produce ASTM-grade biodiesel in its new, state-of-the-art facility and enable businesses and individuals to enjoy the many benefits of burning biodiesel,” said Springboard CEO Mark Roberts, back in March. “While our target market will remain primarily local, corporate and municipal consumers of diesel, who want to incorporate biodiesel into their fleets, we wanted to compliment that with a local buyers club.” Club members can buy prepared volumes of 10, 55 and 275 gallons. “We believe that producing locally and consuming locally is a sustainable and profitable energy model that will benefit the local communities where our systems are located,” Roberts said. “Ultimately, we plan to build a broad network of these ‘micro facilities,’ all of which are designed to provide competitively priced, cleaner burning biodiesel to local communities that have a natural and more easily accessible feedstock.” Working with Smart Alternative Fuels, a Redding, Calif.-based used cooking oil collector, Springboard will be processing up to 350,000 of biodiesel annually in its first facility in Chico. “It's exciting to bring this alternative to Butte County,” Roberts said. “We have a relatively large diesel fleet, and by replacing some of that diesel, we can create a viable new market with new green collar jobs, as well as contribute to the reduction of the area's carbon footprint.” Congratulations to Matt and Mark Roberts, and to all of the Springboard Biodiesel crew! ___ Sustainablelorgbiofuel mailing list Sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org http://lists.eruditium.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel
[Biofuel] Biodiesel Magazine - The Latest News and Data About Biodiesel Production
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/articles/39705/biofuels-isoconversion-demonstration-system-deemed-a-success Biofuels Isoconversion demonstration system deemed a success By Applied Research Associates | March 31, 2014 This week, Blue Sun Energy, Applied Research Associates Inc., and Chevron Lummus Global achieved a key development milestone with their 100 barrel per day (4,200 gallons per day) demonstration-scale Biofuels Isoconversion facility in St. Joseph, Mo. Less than a year after beginning engineering to scale the technology, the team has completed plant commissioning and has begun 24/7 system operation. “This is a key milestone toward commercial scale production, with initial results showing comparable system performance in the scale-up from our 4 barrel a day pilot system in Panama City, Fla., to the 100 BBL a day demonstration system in St Joseph,” said Rob Sues, CEO of ARA. The Biofuels Isoconversion process seamlessly processes renewable feedstocks such as plant oils, tallow, and waste vegetable oil into 100 percent drop-in diesel and jet fuels, which meet petroleum specs without blending, as well as naphtha that can be used as a gasoline blend stock. “Operation of the demonstration system is critical in terms of scaling the process and technology and garnering the insights and experience needed to begin construction on our first commercial facility, which will truly be a landmark for the emerging next-generation biofuels industry,” said Leigh Freeman, CEO of Blue Sun. The team will continue to test the system with various feedstocks, including the tradermarked Resonance, an industrial oil feedstock from Agrisoma Biosciences, as well as fatty acid distillate, distillers corn oil, and tallow to ensure reliable and cost effective operation. The demonstration system will be operated in campaigns to produce tens of thousands of gallons of jet fuel and diesel for certification testing, endurance testing, and test flights through the end of this year. “We are enthusiastic about the early success that Blue Sun, Chevron Lummus Global, and ARA have achieved at the demonstration facility in St. Joseph,” said Leon DeBruyn, managing director of Chevron Lummus Global. “Production of completely fungible jet and diesel fuels from renewable industrial oils and waste oils is a game changer.” The Biofuel Isoconversion process consists of: -ARA’s Catalytic Hydrothermolysis process, which mimics nature’s way of converting biomass to petroleum crude. While nature’s processes take millennia to produce petroleum crude, it takes less than a minute for the CH process to turn plant oils into a high-quality crude oil intermediate. A U.S. patent was granted to ARA in 2010 on the CH process. -CLG’s Isoconversion catalysts efficiently upgrade the crude oil intermediate produced by the CH reactor into on-specification, finished fuels. The final products are all fungible and nearly identical to petroleum-derived fuels. ReadiJet and ReadiDiesel can be tailored to meet all commercial and military jet fuel specifications. ___ Sustainablelorgbiofuel mailing list Sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org http://lists.eruditium.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel
[Biofuel] Biodiesel Magazine - The Latest News and Data About Biodiesel Production
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/plants/map/ A map of biodiesel plants (presumably commercial scale) in North America. ___ Sustainablelorgbiofuel mailing list Sustainablelorgbiofuel@lists.sustainablelists.org http://lists.eruditium.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sustainablelorgbiofuel
[Biofuel] Biodiesel Magazine - The Latest News and Data About Biodiesel Production
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/articles/17963/breaking-new-ground-with-glycerin Breaking New Ground with Glycerin Whole Energy became interested in glycerin in 2006 while planning development of a vertically integrated, regional biodiesel company. Although it decided to narrow focus on marketing and distribution, the company has kept glycerin top of mind. By Atul Deshmane | March 05, 2014 Glycerin has an amazing history as an oleochemical. It is Alfred Nobel’s work with glycerin and his discovery of nitroglycerin (and associated guilt) that led to the Nobel Prize. Glycerin was originally produced through a hydrolysis process in which a triglyceride molecule was broken down into a glycerin molecule and fatty acid molecules. Today most glycerin is derived from biodiesel production. Whole Energy became interested in glycerin in 2006 as we were planning the development of a vertically integrated, regional biodiesel company with feedstock collection and marketing. Although we decided to narrow our focus on marketing and distribution of biodiesel, we also maintained a growing interest in the applications and uses of glycerin, and in ways to process glycerin. As a chemical, glycerin has potential for being a feedstock for all kinds of secondary synthetic chemicals. To accomplish this task, however, glycerin must be available at a sufficient quality and price to support these chemical processes. We hired consultants to evaluate the various pathways to make chemicals and discovered that processes that start with very high purity glycerin already existed. New Glycerin Refinery Opens In 2010, we were able to secure partial funding from the state of Washington to develop a glycerin refinery. Our research had indicated that we would need to take an intermediate step in processing glycerin and targeted a purity of 95 percent and low levels of salt, methanol and water. Our funding was in place in mid-2012 and we completed construction in 2013. The plant is located in Mt. Vernon, Wash. The basis of Whole Energy’s glycerin process is to distill off water and methanol and then allow salts and other residuals from biodiesel production to separate from the glycerin. The resulting glycerin has a purity of 92 to 98 percent and a dark color. At some point, we intend to add polishing to reduce contaminants that affect the color and odor of the glycerin that is produced. The most common method to address the color of glycerin is filtration with activated carbon. This method is widely used for bioproducts, but those products typically have much higher value. Since glycerin is a relatively low-value material, carbon treatment must be done in a way that allows for either regeneration or the ability to use a grade of carbon that is less expensive but still effective. We successfully commissioned our plant early this year and we are now working hard to align regional supply of crude glycerin with market demands for the purified product. Although the plant can process 300 tons per week, we are only processing roughly 40 tons a week at this time. The facility has both rail and truck delivery capabilities for both incoming and outgoing product. We have calibrated meters for product delivery. One challenge we are facing is the impact that low corn values (less than 10 cents per pound) have on the largest volume segment of the glycerin market, which is animal feed. Feed facilities use glycerin to help reduce losses of feed as dust. So glycerin serves a dual purpose. To date, feed-related buyers of glycerin have not wanted to pay more for glycerin than they pay for the underlying feed. Because glycerin is not a renewable fuel, it is not negatively impacted by shifts in federal regulatory incentives under the IRS or U.S. EPA. There is potential for production to be a stable and reliable source of income for both the plant and the suppliers of our raw material. Many producers see the potential for increased revenue and reduced carbon intensity as a result of our efforts. Glycerin values have changed significantly over the past few years. Glycerin used to cost around $1 a pound when made as a dedicated product. Today, the highest-quality glycerin sells for around 50 cents per pound. In addition, numerous lower grades are available from 10 to 30 cents per pound. Whole Energy wants to serve the lower-grade markets for midterm and establish new applications for this grade of glycerin. Hence, we are currently underutilizing our production capacity and are working to define new markets for glycerin concurrently. Those include gas scrubbing, the processing of biodiesel raw materials, an inexpensive thermal fluid, drying and material handling of secondary agricultural commodities including feed and nutrients (where intellectual property is in development), and as a blend stock for propylene or ethylene glycol. Glycerin for Gas Scrubbing Gas scrubbing using
