Daily News—08/24

The biofuel primer, biodiesel and ethanol, history and future

In the beginning, scientists tested corn ethanol, however several problems made working with the vegetable harder than researchers initially thought. Photo: Amanda Wills, Earth911.com

Waste-derived cellulosic ethanol is a product of agricultural waste such as corn stalks left in a field after harvesting. Photo: Jamie Lantzy, Wikimedia

As the U.S. continues legislating, developing and promoting alternative fuels to supplement, and possibly replace, fossil fuels such as coal and oil (e.g. some of the provisions in the House-approved Clean Energy and Security Act), a refresher, and possibly an introduction, to biofuels might be helpful in sorting through this important issue.

This is a very well-balanced article on biofuel, and it would be a good place to start reading about the subject. You may wish to only read the section on biodiesel, but I think we need to know the ethanol side of the story as well.

Miss. biodiesel plant site shifted to Houston, TX

Photo from: http://www.tristatepetroleum.com/products.php

Aug. 23–HOUSTON — A biofuels refiner first interested in an Aberdeen site has moved the operation to Houston's industrial park.

Mississippi Investment Petroleum Co. has preliminary work under way in Houston after it leased and took over the Tri-State Petroleum Products refinery, managed by state Sen. Jack Gordon of Okolona.

In the takeover, Tri-State's initial operations permits have been transferred to MIPCO, according to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.

Friday, plant operations manager Tommy Farrar said the facility will make biodiesel from poultry fat and vegetable oil.

Here is another biodiesel plant which will use WVO and chicken fat as a feedstock, in other words, they will turn waste into fuel. I sure do wish the participants would grace us with a forum post. Yes, vendors are welcome here.

E. Iowa Community College offers biodiesel workshop Sept. 29

Photo from: http://www.g-a-x.com/energychallenge.html

BETTENDORF — Eastern Iowa Community College, in partnership with community colleges from across the state, is conducting a free, three-hour information session on biodiesel fuels.
The session will be held Sept. 29, beginning at 6 p.m., at Scott Community College's Applied Technology Building, 500 Belmont Road, Bettendorf. The session is open to everyone but pre-registration is required by calling 563-441-4100, course number 72639.

If you are associated with this educational event, you should be a member of Biodiesel Now. If you have attended such a meeting, please write in our forums about your experiences, either good or bad.

Pickens County, S.C. honored for their biodiesel program

The county's work to fuel its fleet with biodiesel made from recycled vegetable oil has been honored with an award.

“Because of the dedication of several county departments, we were able to bring this recognition home to the citizens and employees of Pickens County,” said County Administrator J. Chappell Hurst. “The collaborative efforts between the staff of solid waste, recycling, vehicle maintenance, building maintenance, roads and bridges and engineering are to be admired.”
The biodiesel project began more than a year ago, as the county began looking at alternative fuels to ease the pain of high prices at the pump. Initial estimates to create a facility that would produce enough biodiesel to support the county fleet were around $750,000, but the county was able to complete the project for under $190,000, Hurst said.
Estimates state the county will save between $250,000 and $750,000 per year by using recycled vegetable oil from local businesses.
“Biodiesel protects engines better than regular diesel, which means taxpayers will save more because county equipment will last longer,” Hurst said.

Can you imagine every county doing this? It would save millions in fuel, and set a good example for everyone. Did you know that Nick over in England is running B5 in his diesel automobile, and a fine one it is, too. Nick, how’s that biodiesel run in your motor car?

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