Daily News—11/04
University of Louisville’s Speed School of Engineering makes biodiesel from campus cooking oil
Chemical engineering students at the University of Louisville’s Speed School of Engineering are producing biofuel from used cooking oil at the campus’s eateries.
Chemical engineering professor Eric Berson says they’re using it to power the university’s shuttle bus. He says students are still perfecting the technique, and will increase the blend of biofuel as they progress.
Very short story about something that should be part of campus life, and that is biodiesel production from used cooking oil. The students make it in 50gal. batches, and they are never going to forget what they know about biodiesel. It is really a practical form of recycling, where something valuable—fuel for the vehicle—is gained at the end of the production run. Good training for industry people of the future.
Catilin offers biodiesel process using solid catalyst
A new solid catalyst could save some green fuel makers some green in their wallets.
Biodiesel Magazine reports that a study of Catilin Inc.’s new T300 solid catalyst process saves biodiesel producers 13 cents a gallon over a traditional catalytic process… and up to 19 cents a gallon if you figure in capital expense savings:
“This thorough analysis validated our T300 catalyst as a real breakthrough in current and future biodiesel production for use with first-, second- and third-generation feedstocks,” said Larry Lenhart, president and CEO.
If anyone can explain the chemistry of this solid catalyst process, please feel free to chime in. Here’s another case where I would like to invite members of Catilin to join the forum and talk about your system.
PetroAlgae signs a deal with Indian Oil for biodiesel technology
(PetroAlgae or the Company) today announced that PA LLC, a Delaware limited liability company that is PetroAlgae's operating subsidiary has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enter into an agreement to license the Company's proprietary micro-crop technology to Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) for its future large-scale production of renewable fuels. Under the terms of the MoU and the license agreement to be completed, IOCL will build a pilot facility to demonstrate the commercial viability of producing renewable fuels from micro-crops. Upon achieving success, the pilot facility is expected to lead to the completion of a licensed unit for large-scale production of renewable fuels by IOCL.
India might just run away with producing biodiesel from algae, and given this partnership, that looks to be the plan. It is generally hot and humid in most of India, from what I understand, perfect for growing algae.
Wisconsin farmers produce biodiesel cooperatively
Zach Biermann & Jake Wedeberg
The fluctuating cost of fuel is one of the unpredictable elements farmers face in trying to stay afloat.
A small group of organic farmers in southwest Wisconsin are trying to take control, by producing their own fuel to run their tractors.
WUWM Environmental Reporter Susan Bence visited people in Gays Mills trying to perfect the art of fuel production.
A farmer has to be smart to survive, and here is a good example of farmers who want to make their own fuel for their own needs, like many of our members. They should all join BDN and sign onto the forums.
