The European Union has extended its protectionist trade duties that have kept the American green fuel out of the continent since 2009. The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is calling on Congress to reinstate the U.S. tax incentive now to help counter what NBB sees as unfair trade practices. “The European Commission has decided to continue a policy that is clearly …
Glycerol Recycled into Biodiesel Catalyst
Researchers in the United Kingdom have found a way to recycle a biodiesel by-product back into a catalyst to make the green fuel. This article from Cardiff University says its scientists turned glycerol into methanol. To achieve this, the researchers reacted glycerol with water, to provide the element hydrogen, and a magnesium oxide (MgO) catalyst. The reaction involved a simple …
Explaining Dropping Biodiesel RIN Prices
The price for D4 biodiesel renewable identification numbers (RINs) has dropped by more than 50 cents since the middle of June, leaving many scratching their heads and asking, “Why?” Analysts from the University of Illinois have an explanation. The first factor contributing to the decline in D4 biodiesel RINs prices is the price of soybean oil, which is the main …
California City Switches to Renewable Diesel
A California city has switched to using renewable diesel in its municipal fleet. This story from Patch.com says Walnut Creek in the Bay area is one of the first cities in the area to make the switch. So far, the conversion has been seamless, Walnut Creek Public Works Manager Rich Payne said. “We haven’t noticed anything in terms of performance …
German Biodiesel Quality Group Starts Glycerol Test
A German group that maintains quality standards for biodiesel will carry out round-robin tests for pharmaceutical glycerol. This news release from AGQM (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Qualitaetsmanagement Biodiesel) says this will be the first time for the tests, and registrations will still be accepted until Sept. 20, 2015. Round Robin Tests to check test methods and the proper handling of professional laboratories have …
Bubbles Could Make the Difference for Biodiesel
Researchers in Canada might have found a way to increase biodiesel production by using bubbles. This article from McGill University’s The McGill Daily says Peter Adewale, a PhD student in the school’s Bioresource Engineering Department, has devised a method to shorten the production time of biodiesel to twenty minutes, a significant drop from previously reported production times ranging from 24 …
Ohio Biodiesel Plant Moves Forward
A new biodiesel plant in Ohio is moving forward. This article from the Dayton Daily News says the planning commission in Carlisle approved zoning changes for Agro BioFuels and BioEnergy Inc. to build the refinery. Gerry Smith, of Miller Valentine Group, said the more than $10 million project includes building the 6,800-square-foot plant on 10 acres near the end of …
REG’s Geismar, LA Plant Has 2nd 2015 Fire
Renewable Energy Group’s (REG) hydrocarbon diesel (RHD) refinery, located in Geismar, Louisiana, has had its second fire this year. According to REG, on Friday, September 4th, at approximately 12 a.m. central, a fire occurred at their Geismar biorefinery. In a statement, REG said emergency crews quickly responded to contain the fire and it was declared completely extinguished at 4:20 a.m. …
Missouri Biodiesel Plant Coming to Life, Finally
After too many years languishing empty, a Missouri biodiesel plant is finally coming to life. This article from Moberly (MO) Monitor-Index says Chicago-based Lakeview Energy, LLC is re-opening what started as the Producer’s Choice Soy Energy biodiesel facility and will now be known in the northern Missouri town as Lakeview Biodiesel, LLC. The new project will not come cheap for …
USDA Report Shows Importance of Int’l Biofuel Trade
A new government report says that while the U.S. is a major exporter of biofuels, it still imports biofuels in order to meet government mandates. The study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service says some other countries are major exporters and domestic users, thanks to laws there that allow greater blending amounts. The ethanol blend wall in …