One of the knocks about trying to turn fatty wastes into biodiesel is the use of sulfuric acid to aid in the esterification process to remove the free fatty acids (FFAs) that appear in high quantities in low quality oils. But researchers at Wake Forest and Virginia Tech universities have found a sugar-based alternative to sulfuric acid to improve the …
EU Ends Probe Over Biodiesel Imports
The European Union’s anti-subsidy probe over some foreign biodiesel is ending. Reuters reports the original complaint from the European Biodiesel Board (EBB) about unfair subsidizing of biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia is being dropped. “In accordance with article 14 (1) of the basic regulation the proceeding may be terminated where the complaint is withdrawn, unless such termination may not …
Biodiesel Making Significant Contributions to RFS
A new report shows that biodiesel is leading the advanced biofuels pack when it comes to contributions to the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). GlobalData says U.S. biodiesel production is on target to produce more than the 1.28 billion gallons set under the RFS for this year, making it the first Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-designated advanced biofuel, and outpacing other advanced …
Proponents Wonder Why Can’t Biodiesel Fulfill RFS
A hat tip to my friend Jessica Robinson over at the National Biodiesel Board for pointing out this great article from Biofuels Digest. As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed lower targets for the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard, proponents of biodiesel are wondering why their green fuel is targeted a 20 percent reduction. Let’s review the background on …
Cavitation Tech Deal Good for Brazil Biodiesel
Cavitation Technologies Inc.’s (CTi) first Nano Reactor system sales deal could be a positive development for biodiesel in Brazil. CTi’s strategic business partner and licensee of the company’s vegetable oil refining technology, Desmet Ballestra Group (“Desmet”), entered into a sales agreement with a soybean oil refinery in Brazil, using CTi’s Nano Neutralization(R) Reactor System that processes approximately 500 tons of …
Hawaiian Tour Shows Biodiesel’s Sustainability
A tour of some Hawaiian biodiesel facilities and the infrastructure that supports them demonstrated the sustainable nature of the green fuel. Biodiesel Magazine reports that recently Pacific Biodiesel, Big Island Biodiesel and Hawaii Pure Plant Oil hosted the tour, showing how the islands are developing a model that supports green jobs, local agriculture, the livestock industry and the community. Guests …
Iowa Looks to Expand Ethanol, Biodiesel Blends
Officials in Iowa are looking to up the choices consumers will have when filling up with ethanol and biodiesel. Gov. Terry Branstad announced a new public-private partnership called “Fueling Our Future” that will use state dollars to leverage investments in existing renewable fuel infrastructure to establish more blender pumps containing E-30 and biodiesel at gas retailers around the state. “This …
Mission NewEnergy Sells Malaysian Biodiesel Plant
Australian biodiesel maker Mission NewEnergy Ltd. has sold its 30 MMgy biodiesel plant in Malaysia. Biodiesel Magazine reports that through its wholly owned subsidiary, Mission Biotechnologies Sdn Bhd, the $11.5 million deal was finished with Felda Global Ventures Downstream Sdn Bhd. Mission NewEnergy stated that Mission Biotechnologies will use all of the proceeds from the sale to reduce loans from …
Lack of Soy Crushing Hurting Wisconsin Biodiesel
A lack of soybean crushing facilities could be hurting the biodiesel industry in Wisconsin. This article from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says no soybean crushing facilities of any meaningful size in the state means farmers have to send their beans out of state, where they’re more likely to be turned into value-added products, including the green fuel, meaning lost revenues …
Singapore Micro-Grid to Use Biodiesel, Solar
Residents of an island of Singapore will be getting their electricity from a micro-grid powered by biodiesel and solar. Channel NewsAsia reports that about 30 residents and businesses on Pulau Ubin will be using the cheaper, cleaner power. It is part of a test-bed by the Energy Market Authority to assess the impact of intermittent energy sources, such as solar, …