R & D Focus – Advanced BioFuels USA

Better Biofuels with Biomass: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Axens and the BioTfueL Project

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) BioTfueL, originally launched by Total, is a project to produce biofuels via thermochemical conversion and includes several partners that work together on this. Axens Solutions recently spoke at ABLC NEXT about the project, how biomass feedstock is torrefied and then converted into syngas in a

November 19, 2019 Read Full Article

The Role of Chemical Recycling in a Circular Economy and Effective Waste Management

by Zoltan Kish (Lee Enterprises Consulting, Inc./Biofuels Digest) … At the same time, we have a tremendous business opportunity to convert waste into usable sustainable products. According to a market study report prepared by Market Insights Reports, the smart waste management market was valued at $1.41 billion (USD) in 2018 and is expected to reach

November 19, 2019 Read Full Article

Like Fine Wine, Smellin’ Fine: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Anellotech’s Aromatics

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Fine wine takes time but it’s so worth it when you gather that first aroma of a freshly opened bottle…and Anellotech shows us that the wait is worth it when it comes to technology too. Their thermal catalytic biomass conversion, or Bio-TCat Process, is making

November 18, 2019 Read Full Article

Pyrolysis Party and Who’s the Pilot Steering the Ship? BTG and GoodFuels to Invest in World’s 1st Marine Biofuel Refinery Based on Pyrolysis Oil

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) … In the Netherlands, BTG and GoodFuels are preparing for major investment in a new biorefinery to support shipping’s low carbon fuels demands. Biomass technology group BTG will set up a new company that can convert crude pyrolysis oil into diesel fuel suitable for the shipping

November 18, 2019 Read Full Article

“The Thing to Remember Is that It’s Agriculture.” Manta’s New Way to Think about Algal Biofuel

by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Not only is the Manta Biofuel system a way to grow, harvest and process algae into oil that can be used for heating or powering heavy duty engines or ocean-going vessels, or as a feedstock for refineries; Dr. Ryan Powell sees the Manta Biofuel

November 16, 2019 Read Full Article

17 Trillion Pounds of Plastic – How Much Is Biodegradable?: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Algenesis’ Algae Polymers

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Science by Nature and Nature by Science is what it’s all about for Algenesis. Their goal is for 100% renewable, biodegradable, recyclable polyurethane that can be used for everything from flip flops to surfboards. Michael Burkart from UC San Diego and Algenesis Materials shared this illuminating

November 15, 2019 Read Full Article

Hollywood Sends Materials to Anaerobic Digester, Poop to Paper, Hydrogen from Seawater, Kanye’s algae foam kicks, Hellman’s seaweedSsachets, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of November 15th

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Even Hollywood is going green these days with the latest Bond movie sending 30 tons of food and biodegradable materials to anaerobic digester to generate electricity! And elephant poop is getting turned into upscale stationary paper. A revoluntionary catalyst is developed that is opening up hydrogen

November 15, 2019 Read Full Article

ANA Receives Passenger Jet via Delivery Flight Powered by Sustainable Aviation Fuel

(Biofuels International) Japanese airline All Nippon Airways (ANA) has received its latest passenger aircraft from the US via a delivery flight that was powered with a blend of jet fuel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The brand new Boeing 777-300ER was flown from Boeing’s facility in Washington, US to Japan,

November 15, 2019 Read Full Article

How to Make Better Biofuels? Convince Yeast It’s Not Starving

by Adam Hadhazy (Princeton University) Yeast already helps make bread and beer and cranks out the biofuel ethanol, but scientists believe it can be used to create an even more efficient fuel called isobutanol. Normally, yeast only creates a tiny amount of isobutanol. Now researchers at Princeton University have discovered a

November 15, 2019 Read Full Article

World’s Largest “Green” Hydrogen Pilot Facility Commences Operation

by Mary Page Bailey (Chemical Engineering) What is currently the world’s largest pilot plant for the CO2-neutral production of hydrogen has successfully commenced operation at the Linz site of voestalpine AG (Linz, Austria; www.voestalpine.com), simultaneously setting an international milestone in the advancement of new energy supply options. As part of the EU-funded

November 13, 2019 Read Full Article

Hyundai, Nikola and Toyota Start to Build the Hydrogen Highway

by Jerry Hirsch (Trucks) Hyundai Motor Co. has an ambitious plan to wean the global trucking industry from fossil fuels by creating green commercial trucks with the same power and range as their diesel counterparts. The South Korean automaker unveiled the cornerstone of its strategy in Atlanta last month by showing

November 13, 2019 Read Full Article

GA-EMS to Develop On-Demand Hydrogen Generation Tech for US Army

(Army Technology) General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has received a two-year contract from the US Army to develop a prototype high-pressure hydrogen generation system. The hydrogen generation system will be used by the army for refuelling hydrogen vehicles in the battlefield. The contract work involves design, fabrication, and demonstration of a

November 13, 2019 Read Full Article

New Catalyst Efficiently Produces Hydrogen from Seawater

by Jeannie Kever (University of Houston) Holds Promise for Large-Scale Hydrogen Production, Desalination — Seawater is one of the most abundant resources on earth, offering promise both as a source of hydrogen – desirable as a source of clean energy – and of drinking water in arid climates. But even as

November 13, 2019 Read Full Article

UNIDO Rolls out 500,000 Clean Cook Stoves in Dar es Salaam

(United Nations Industrial Development Organization) The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and its partners initiated the roll-out of 500,000 ethanol cook stoves to households in various wards of Dar es Salaam. Speaking on behalf of the District Commissioner for Ilala, the District Administrative Secretary expressed appreciation for the joint efforts

November 13, 2019 Read Full Article

Entrepreneur Aims to ‘Revolutionize the Range’ with Pelleted Feed

by Candace Krebs (Ag Journal) … The company he (Dusty Turner) founded, MasterHand Milling, makes an extruded pellet from dried distillers grains, commonly referred to as DDGs. Distillers grains are a byproduct of ethanol production, the process by which corn is turned into liquid fuel. One-third of the original grain is

November 13, 2019 Read Full Article

Wes Amelie Will Be the World’s First Vessel to Run on Synthetic LNG

(MAN Energy Solutions/NGV Journal) MAN Energy Solutions and Wessels Marine GmbH have announced a technical showcase whereby the 2017-retrofitted ‘Wes Amelie’, a 1,036-teu feeder container ship, will use liquefied synthetic natural gas (SNG) produced from renewable electrical energy as drop-in fuel. The companies are cooperating on the project with Nauticor, the

November 12, 2019 Read Full Article

LuminUltra Warns of Increased Microbial Influenced Corrosion with IMO 2020 Compliant Fuels

(Port News) LuminUltra, the microbial monitoring specialist, has highlighted important concerns over the quality of some compliant fuels as the shipping industry gears up towards meeting the International Maritime Organization’s sulphur cap, which enters into force in January. Commenting on the blending of biodiesel with HSFO and distillates, which go

November 12, 2019 Read Full Article

Man with the Plan – Millions Projected for New Projects: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Aemetis’ Multi-Million $ Dairy Biogas and Wood Waste Plants

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Aemetis is known for their advanced renewable fuels by many,like their California ethanol plant and India biodiesel plant, but what you may now know is that they are building a $56 million dairy biogas digesters, pipeline and cleanup system and a $200 million cellulosic ethanol plant

November 12, 2019 Read Full Article

USDA, National Sorghum Producers to Quantify Sorghum Sustainability for Ethanol Production

(Biofuels International) US industry association the National Sorghum Producers (NSP) has partnered with the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Kansas, US to quantify sorghum sustainability in a key American ethanol production region. The partnership will be carried out through a conservation collaboration grant that

November 12, 2019 Read Full Article

Neste and Remondis Link up to Develop Chemical Recycling of Plastic Waste

by Liz Gyekye (BioMarket Insights) … Finnish renewable diesel and chemical provider Neste and German recycling provider Remondis have signed an agreement to collaborate in the development of chemical recycling of plastic waste. The companies will focus on developing and accelerating chemical recycling with a target to reach an annual capacity

November 12, 2019 Read Full Article

Indonesia to Run Comprehensive B30 Biodiesel Trial in Coming Weeks – Producer Group

by Bernadette Christina Munthe and Fransiska Nangoy (Reuters) Indonesia will run a comprehensive trial for its B30 biodiesel programme in mid-November or early December, Paulus Tjakrawan, vice chairman of Indonesian Biofuel Producers Association, said on Friday. The country aims to implement in 2020 a mandatory programme for biodiesel containing 30% of

November 11, 2019 Read Full Article

Keep Calm and Make Oil?: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Infra’s GTL Tech

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Infra Technology has developed and patented a Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) technology (INFRA.xtl), based on the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process, for the production of light synthetic oil and clean liquid synthetic transportation fuels from natural and associated gas, as well as from biomass and other fossil fuels (XTL).

November 11, 2019 Read Full Article

Simplify Your Fuel Decision with Biodiesel

by Steve Klein (ACT News/Renewable Energy Group) With so many fuel options available these days, it can be hard to know which is right for your fleet. As a fleet owner or manager, you’re undoubtedly keeping emissions, performance, and ease of use in mind when deciding. Those factors are exactly why

November 8, 2019 Read Full Article

UCSB Chemical Engineer Looks at Microbes Found in Herbivores’ Guts to Turn Plant Waste into Fuel

by Soe Han Tha (Santa Barbara News Press) Households and businesses typically regard as waste the parts of plants that cannot be consumed, whether that be stems, roots, inedible leaves. What if this waste could be used as fuel or other commodity chemicals? A research group led by UCSB professor of chemical

November 8, 2019 Read Full Article

Researchers Double Sorghum Grain Yield to Improve Food Supply

by Charlotte Hu (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory/Phys.org) Plant scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) and USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), in their search for solutions to global food production challenges, have doubled the amount of grains that a sorghum plant can yield. Sorghum, one of the world’s most important

November 7, 2019 Read Full Article

Cellulose Car, Fermentation for Fragrances, World’s 1st Solar Hydrogen Electrolysis Facility, Green Tea Leather Alternative, Hydrogen from CO2 and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of November 7th

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Nature is an amazing thing. But add human brains and technology and you can get some pretty amazing things too – like a renewable insulating foam wetsuit to make your ocean outings even more in tune with nature. Or how about DEWA and Siemens building the

November 7, 2019 Read Full Article

A Trailblazer for Green Hydrogen: Expo 2020 Visitors Will Be Able to See the Middle East’s Frst Solar Hydrogen Plant.

by Christopher Findlay (Siemens) … Seeking to place its energy system and its national economy on a more sustainable footing, the government of Dubai and its state utility DEWA have decided to push ahead with the integration of H2 technology and accelerate the use of renewables in the region. To

November 7, 2019 Read Full Article

S. Korea Builds Hydrogen Plant

(South Korea Bizwire) South Korea has built a hydrogen plant in the country’s western region, the oceans ministry said Tuesday, in a move that could further boost its efforts to support the promotion of hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles. The Korea Western Power Co.’s plant in Taean, some 150 kilometers southwest

November 6, 2019 Read Full Article

Enapter Showcases Green Hydrogen and the Future of Energy Storage with a Demonstration at Nongnooch Tropical Garden in Chonburi

(Enapter) Nongnooch Tropical Botanical Garden, a scientific research center and attraction in Chonburi Province, Thailand, today announced it is displaying hydrogen as an energy storage solution in collaboration with the hydrogen electrolyser manufacturer Enapter. The 600-acre garden aims to demonstrate an entire energy system that is independent from the local grid

November 6, 2019 Read Full Article

St1 and beyond: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Hydrogen for Renewable Diesel and Other Bio-Based Applications

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, we reported that St1 has awarded ÅF Pöyry with engineering assignment for a new renewable fuel production unit investment project. The new plant will be built in Gothenburg, Sweden, and is the largest single investment in St1’s history. The investment is estimated to approximately 1.5

November 6, 2019 Read Full Article

Are Ancient Bugs the Key to Storing Wind and Solar?

by Stephen Lacey (GreenTechMedia) In this special podcast episode: We tour NREL’s new bioreactor that creates renewable methane from microorganisms, hydrogen and CO2. NREL and SoCalGas are finally running their novel power-to-gas system. — As grids get saturated with wind and solar electricity, there’s increasing pressure to find new ways to

November 6, 2019 Read Full Article

SOFAST It’s Scary!: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Arthrospira/Spirulina Algae Strains

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Streamlined Optimization of Filamentous Arthrospira/SpirulinaTraits (SOFAST) is looking at algae in a whole new way. Lumen Bioscience in particular has been working on a unique, patented technology to genetically enhance Arthrospira for improved growth and biomass composition for biofuels and bioproducts. Damian Carrieri from Lumen Bioscience gave

November 6, 2019 Read Full Article

Galicia-Based Project Has Produced Enough Biogas to Travel 135,000 km

(NGV Journal/EnergyLab) With the assistance of the Minister of Economy, Business and Industry of the Xunta de Galicia, Francisco Conde López, the presentation of the results of the Renewable Gas Mixed Research Unit, developed by Naturgy and the EnergyLab Technology Center, was held at Edar (WWTP) de Bens facilities. This

November 5, 2019 Read Full Article

Colorado Unveils Study Boosting Use of Renewable Natural Gas in Mobility

(Government of Colorado/NGV Journal) The Colorado Energy Office released a Renewable Natural Gas in Transportation: Colorado Market Study that provides a preliminary assessment of Colorado’s potential to produce renewable natural gas from major organic waste sources—including landfills, wastewater, animal and food waste — for use in on-road transportation vehicles, such

November 5, 2019 Read Full Article

The Long Haul to Getting Aviation Biofuel off the Ground

by Angeli Mehta (Ethical Corporation) With the IPCC warning against growing crops for fuel, Angeli Mehta reports on how LanzaTech, SkyNRG and Velocys are trying to get the next generation of aviation biofuels to scale The first flight using a blend of kerosene and biofuel took place back in 2008. Eleven

November 5, 2019 Read Full Article

Fractionation Processes Can Improve Profitability of Ethanol Production

(EurekAlert!/University of Illinois) The U.S. is the world’s largest producer of bioethanol as renewable liquid fuel, with more than 200 commercial plants processing over 16 billion gallons per year. Plants typically use dry grind processing methods; however, implementing fractionation techniques that separate corn components prior to fermentation can improve profitability, a

November 5, 2019 Read Full Article

Winners of the 2019 American Biogas Council Industry Awards Revealed

(Bioenergy Insight) Eight biogas projects received awards from the American Biogas Council (ABC) for their ‘outstanding performance and contribution’ to the industry. The winners were announced at the Biogas Industry Awards and Dinner during the BioCycle REFOR19 event in Wisconsin, US on 29 October. Five projects received a 2019 Project

November 5, 2019 Read Full Article

This Company Turns Emissions into Fuel

Article by Millie Dent; Video by Bryce Urbany & Deborah Brunswick (CNN) The world’s industrial sector — places like steel mills, refineries, and chemical plans — contributes over 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Where most people see this only as pollution, Chicago-based LanzaTech considers it opportunity. The biotech startup

November 4, 2019 Read Full Article

Ford Vehicles Compatible with B20 Biodiesel, Automaker Confirms

(The Nation Thailand) Ford Thailand has confirmed that its 2.0L Turbo and 2.0L Bi-Turbo diesel engines are fully compatible with the quality and standard of B20 biodiesel fuel being promoted by the Thailand Department of Energy Business. … Ford vehicles in Thailand equipped with the 2.0L Turbo and 2.0L Bi-Turbo

November 4, 2019 Read Full Article

The Opportunity for Algae in Carbon Utilization: A $320 Billion Market that Could also Capture 3 Billion Tons of Carbon Emissions

(Algae Biomass Organization) A recent report by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) takes a close look at using carbon emissions as a feedstock to more efficiently decarbonize economies around the world. The authors identify an enormous opportunity for algae. C2ES published “Carbon Utilization–A Vital and Effective Pathway for Decarbonization” to

November 4, 2019 Read Full Article

Renewable Natural Gas Start-up Company Completes Key Milestone Converting Alberta Forest Residues into Pipeline-Quality Gas

(Canadian Gas Association) An innovative clean energy start-up company, G4 Insights Inc., has successfully demonstrated in a field trial that forestry industry residues can be turned into renewable natural gas (RNG). Their RNG technology demonstration project has been supported by a federal-provincial-industry partnership with the common goal of clean energy

November 4, 2019 Read Full Article

IJER Editorial: The Future of the Internal Combustion Engine

by R D Reitz, H Ogawa, R Payri, T Fansler, S Kokjohn, Y Moriyoshi, AK Agarwal, D Arcoumanis, D Assanis, C Bae, K Boulouchos, M Canakci, S Curran, I Denbratt, M Gavaises, M Guenthner, C Hasse, Z Huang, T Ishiyama, B Johansson, TV Johnson, G Kalghatgi, M Koike, SC Kong,

November 1, 2019 Read Full Article

The Digest’s 2019 State of the Industry Address

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s ABLC Week and the semi-annual State of the Industry Address was a highlight at the opening of the on-stage presentations — known as a networking event but also featuring a slide deck and commentary on US and international bioeconomy trends. READ MORE

November 1, 2019 Read Full Article

Feedstock Supply Chains & Clariant’s Experience in Romania

by Paolo Corvo (Clariant/Biofuels Digest) … The success of making use of that sustainable biomass resource and a rapid uptake of bioenergy technologies relies on many factors. One of it is the cost of feedstock, which is directly dependent on the development, establishment and execution of a reliable, stable, high-quality feedstock

November 1, 2019 Read Full Article

The Bioeconomy Initiative: Implementation Framework Published by Interagency Collaboration under the Biomass Research and Development Board

(Biomass Research and Development (BR&D) Board) Created through the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000, the Biomass Research and Development (BR&D) Board facilitates coordination among federal government agencies that affect the research and development of biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower. Since 2013, the BR&D Board has worked to shape an interagency

November 1, 2019 Read Full Article

Heard on the Floor at ABLC Next

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) USDA releases Report on the Bioeconomy: The USDA released its Report on the Bioeconomy Imiplementation Framework. The Bioeconomy Initiative: Implementation Framework will serve as a guiding document for the BR&D Board member agencies to increase government accountability and efficiency, maximize interagency coordination on bioeconomy research and other

November 1, 2019 Read Full Article

Energy and Water Sustainability in the U.S. Biofuel Industry

by May Wu (Argonne National Laboratory) The progress of technology development for conventional and advanced biofuel production processes in the U.S. has been reviewed by several groups over the last two decades (Warner et al. 2017; Mueller and Kwik 2013; Wu et al. 2009; Wu 2008; Shapouri and Gallagher 2005).

November 1, 2019 Read Full Article

Hurtigruten Tests Biodiesel that Potentially Can Change the Shipping Industry

(Hurtigruten) On the way to the goal of becoming completely emission free, Hurtigruten has as the first Norwegian cruise line started testing Biodiesel on board the ship MS Polarlys. This fuel can potentially reduce emissions with 95 percent. The world is on its way into a new era, with a travel

October 31, 2019 Read Full Article

Vertimass Selected by U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technology Office to Receive Up to $1.4 Million Award to Optimize Renewable Jet Fuel

(Vertimass/PR Newswire) Vertimass to optimize renewable jet fuel blendstocks to maximize energy content and reduce emissions — Vertimass LLC announced today that Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) within the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy will receive a cost-shared award of up to $1.4 million to optimize jet fuel

October 31, 2019 Read Full Article

Maersk Join Forces with Industry Peers and Customers to Develop LEO

(Maersk) A.P. Moller – Maersk alongside with Wallenius Wilhelmsen, BMW Group, H&M Group, Levi Strauss & Co. and, Marks & Spencer to explore LEO – a blend of lignin and ethanol – that could be part of the future solution for sustainable shipping. — From the phone, tablet or computer you

October 31, 2019 Read Full Article

Biobased Polycarbonate Breakthrough, Seaweed Diapers, Bamboo Toothbrushes, One Cow’s Manure Can Power Toyota’s New Mirai Hydrogen Car and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of October 31st

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s Halloween and things are getting pretty scary out there with stinky, petroleum based, disposable, plastic diapers and plastic toothbrushes being discarded all over the world but have no fear, for a new seaweed-based reusable diaper and Colgate’s new bamboo toothbrush is here to save the

October 31, 2019 Read Full Article

Just Announced at ABLCNEXT 2019: Energy Department Announces $14M Investment in Demonstration-Scale Integrated Biorefineries

(Department of Energy)Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Selection for EERE Project Development for Pilot and Demonstration Scale Manufacturing of Biofuels, Bioproducts, and Biopower — Today, the Energy Department announced a $14 million investment in demonstration-scale integrated biorefineries. This investment, a continuation of a Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 FOA selection, is being negotiated

October 31, 2019 Read Full Article

Lignin and Carbon Dioxide Turned into Ethanol

by Becky Webb (Chemistry World) Process generates bulk chemical from two renewable carbon sources — Scientists in China have developed a method to produce ethanol using the renewable resources lignin and carbon dioxide for the first time. The process uses a ruthenium–cobalt catalyst and involves three cascade reactions – breaking

October 31, 2019 Read Full Article

The Race Is on to Repurpose Garbage

by Marc S. Reisch (Chemical & Engineering News) Despite a spotty track record, companies keep trying to convert trash into energy, fuels, and chemicals — … Local press reports noted weather-related construction delays, a challenge to the plant’s environmental permits, and difficult markets for recycled materials. Those delays point to

October 31, 2019 Read Full Article

Morgan Stanley Says These Firms Will Profit from Climate Change

by Ishika Mookerjee (Bloomberg/MSN) World needs to spend $50 trillion on 5 technologies by 2050; Investment in areas such as hydrogen and biofuels is key — The world needs to spend $50 trillion on five areas of technology by 2050 to slash emissions and meet the Paris Agreement’s goal of

October 28, 2019 Read Full Article

Planting a Trillion Trees Will Not Halt Climate Change

by Kay Ledbetter (Farm Progress/Southwest Farm Press) Tree planting in natural grasslands can destroy plant and animal habitat and won’t sequester enough carbon to compensate for fossil fuel emissions. — A group of 46 scientists from around the world, led by Dr. Joseph Veldman, assistant professor in the Department of Ecosystem Science

October 28, 2019 Read Full Article

GGC Succeeds in Producing JAMA-Certified B100 Biodiesel

(The Nation Thailand) A source from Global Green Chemical (GGC) reported on Thursday (October 24) that the company’s first methyl ester facility had been successful in manufacturing biodiesel using 100-per-cent pure palm oil or B100 with less than 0.4 per cent of monoglycerides, which is in line with the standards

October 25, 2019 Read Full Article

Scientists Develop Efficient Methods to Turn Woody Biomass into Fuels

by Brian Wallheimer (Purdue University) … Lignin, a complex compound in cell walls, blocks access to plant carbohydrates that could be cleaved into sugars and then fermented into biofuels. The compounds that hold plant cells together, as well as their tightly packed cell clusters, also block access to sugars for

October 25, 2019 Read Full Article

Intermediate and High Ethanol Blends Reduce Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation from Gasoline Direct Injection Vehicles

by Patrick Roth, Jiacheng Yang, Weihan Peng, David R. Cocker III, Thomas D. Durbin, Akua Asa-Awuku, and Georgios Karavalakis (Atmospheric Environment) Highlights: Higher ethanol fueling will reduce SOA formation from GDI vehicles. Gasoline with higher aromatics will adversely affect SOA formation. Inorganic aerosol dominates total secondary aerosol mass from GDI vehicles.

October 24, 2019 Read Full Article

A Roadmap to Make the Land Sector Carbon Neutral by 2040

(Environmental News Network/International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis) … IIASA researchers contributed to the development of a new roadmap outlining actions on deforestation, restoration, and carbon cuts that could lead to the land sector becoming carbon neutral by 2040 and a net carbon sink by 2050. A study published in

October 24, 2019 Read Full Article

Artificial Leaf, Renewable Fabric, Hydrogen Truck, Edible Tray, Plant Bags, Mushroom Textiles: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of October 24th

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week we lead with an artificial leaf, which kinda sorta goes with plant-based shopping bags — seems as if we’re going one way, then the other, as The Pretenders once sang. Also in the news this week are renewable fabric, a hydrogen-based truck as Renault

October 24, 2019 Read Full Article

‘Artificial Leaf’ Successfully Produces Clean Gas

(University of Cambridge) A widely-used gas that is currently produced from fossil fuels can instead be made by an ‘artificial leaf’ that uses only sunlight, carbon dioxide and water, and which could eventually be used to develop a sustainable liquid fuel alternative to petrol. The carbon-neutral device sets a new

October 24, 2019 Read Full Article

Toshiba and PLN Sign Memorandum of Understanding on the Promotion of Autonomous Hydrogen Energy Supply System “H2One™” in Indonesia

(Toshiba) Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (hereinafter, “Toshiba ESS”) today announced that the company has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with state-owned electric company, Perusahaan Listrik Negara (hereinafter, “PLN”), on an accelerated adoption of the independent hydrogen-based energy supply system, H2One™, in the country. A signing ceremony was held

October 24, 2019 Read Full Article

The Lowest Carbon Footprint by Design

(MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company) … To help tackle climate change, MSC completed a program to retrofit more than 250 ships in its existing fleet with the latest green technologies, cutting about 2 million tons of CO2 emissions each year. Furthermore, the latest newbuilding additions to the fleet – led by

October 23, 2019 Read Full Article

New York Forests — but Not Biofuels — Factor in Climate Plans

by Tony Hall (Adirondack Explorer) If New York State is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 85 percent by 2050, as required by this year’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, it will need its forests. But it’s not for wood biofuel, lawmakers decided. By design, the legislation omits

October 23, 2019 Read Full Article

New Evidence on the Environmental Benefits of Biofuels

by Emily Skor (Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Growth Energy report highlights ethanol’s environmental benefits as EPA contemplates RFS reset. — … Right now, the agency is also crafting a rule that will set new goal posts for renewable energy in 2021 and 2022. When Congress established the Renewable Fuel Standard,

October 23, 2019 Read Full Article

Breeding Success

by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A new breed of corn, produced with the ethanol industry in mind, promises more corn oil yield and higher-protein distillers grains. — Charlie Brown, CEO of Brownseed Genetics, says a lesson his dad taught him has been the guiding principle of his company. “My

October 23, 2019 Read Full Article

Interaction Encouraged

by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Jaime Finguerut, director of the Sugarcane Technology Institute in Brazil, showed a presentation slide titled, “EMERGENCY!” as he explained to his audience at The Alcohol School Sept. 10 that the climate crisis is the largest global demand driver for ethanol. Finguerut presented at Lallemand

October 23, 2019 Read Full Article

Biofuels Producers Merit Recognition for Contributions to Climate Change Mitigation

(Solutions from the Land) Tomorrow marks the seventh annual Bioenergy Day, during which more than 40 organizations all over the United States and Canada – businesses, non-profits, universities, and state and local governments – are showcasing the many ways they benefit from bioenergy. The day facilitates interaction between bioenergy projects and

October 22, 2019 Read Full Article

U.S. Air Quality Was Improving. Now It’s Getting Worse

by Eric Roston (Bloomberg) New data may signal a deadly change in America’s environmental health. — After years of decline, a spike in air pollution may have taken the lives of almost 10,000 additional Americans over two years. Following a 24% drop between 2009 and 2016, particulate matter air pollution in

October 22, 2019 Read Full Article

World First for Boskalis by Operating a Dredging Vessel on 100% Bio-Fuel Oil

(Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. ) Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. (Boskalis) and biofuels supplier GoodFuels are set to take the next key step in the ‘Boskalis on Bio’ program for the testing of sustainable bio-fuel oil. Following earlier successful tests with ‘drop-in’ blends of light biofuel and marine gas oil, Boskalis’ Willem

October 22, 2019 Read Full Article

Tyre Recycler Signs Deal to Turn Their Carbon into High Value Graphite

(Green Distillation Technologies) Tyre recycler Green Distillation Technologies, has signed a deal with New Zealand’s CarbonScape to enhance the value of the carbon produced by its process, turning it into high value graphite. GDT’s world-first tyre recycling process turns end-of-life car, truck and oversize tyres into high value oil, carbon and steel,

October 21, 2019 Read Full Article

Phase Genomics Lands DOE Grant as Pest-Detecting Tech for Algae Wins Support

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington state, Phase Genomics will receive $325,000 as part of the $73 million Department of Energy (DOE) Office Efficiency and Renewable Energy funding. Phase Genomics’ proximity-ligation metagenomic technology will be leveraged to sequence the genomes of new microorganisms to help detect and manage microbial pests in

October 21, 2019 Read Full Article

Sustainable Technology Acquires DuPont’s G2 Ethanol Technology

(Sustainabile Technology Corp/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Sustainable Technology Corp., a subsidiary of Petron Scientech Inc., has completed the acquisition from DuPont, the complete technology assets for the world-class, second-generation technology developed and demonstrated by DuPont, capable of commercially producing ethanol from cellulosic biomass. The acquired assets include all associated intellectual property and

October 21, 2019 Read Full Article

Turn! Turn! Turn!: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Neste and Its Transformation

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) To everything there is a season, goes the old Pete Seeger lyric, and the Book of Ecclesiastes, come to think of it, and they must be reading their Bibles closely at Neste. Once into petroleum as the original Finnish oil refiner, then turning to renewable

October 21, 2019 Read Full Article

Diesel Technicians Talk Biodiesel

(Renewable Energy Group/Transport Topics) As a diesel technician with 15 years’ experience, Joe Siadak knows truck engines well. But biodiesel taught him something new. When Mahoney Environmental, where he is lead technician, decided to run its fleet of Class 7 and Class 8 trucks on biodiesel blends, Siadak thought his team would

October 18, 2019 Read Full Article

Cyanobacteria-Based Biofuel: an Innovative Platform for Clean Energy Production

by Viji Sitther, Behnam Tabatabai, Somayeh Gharaie Fathabad (Union of Concerned Scientists/Morgan State University) … We are excited to announce that the Sitther Biofuel Research Group at Morgan State University has developed a technology to generate a cost-effective biofuel using a model cyanobacterium. The team, consisting of graduate students Dr. Behnam

October 18, 2019 Read Full Article

MetGen Wins Frost & Sullivan 2019 European Technology Innovation Award

(MetGen) Based on its recent analysis of the European industrial enzymes market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Finland-based MetGen with the 2019 European Technology Innovation Award for its enzyme technologies, METNIN™ and ENZINE®. METNIN™ enables complete valorization of lignin for use in various applications, allowing the products made of lignin to be

October 18, 2019 Read Full Article

Clemson Researcher Developing Perennial Grasses that Could Reduce Water Use and Be Fuel Source

by Laura Schmitt (The NewsStand) Clemson University College of Science professor Hong Luo has received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture to develop genetically improved and more robust turfgrass and switchgrass. These perennial plants represent a multibillion-dollar segment of the U.S. agricultural economy. The

October 18, 2019 Read Full Article

Air Liquide Partners with ArcelorMittal in Pilot Project to Capture and Recycle Carbon

(Air Liquide) Air Liquide is partnering with ArcelorMittal in the first industrial scale demonstration plant to capture carbon gas from the steelmaking process and recycle it into chemicals, specifically advanced bioethanol*. In this project, Air Liquide Engineering & Construction will provide a technology solution that purifies the offgas coming from the

October 18, 2019 Read Full Article

The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Breakthroughs at the Bioenergy Research Centers

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Over 10 years (2007–2017), three Bioenergy Research Centers produced multiple breakthroughs in the form of deepened understanding of sustainable biomass production practices, targeted re-engineering of biomass feedstocks, development of new methods for deconstructing feedstocks, and engineering of microbes for more effective production of a diverse

October 18, 2019 Read Full Article

Paper Beer Bottles, 3D Printed Boats, Hydrogen-Powered Rescues; the New Mirai, Plastics from Potato, Hallowe’en Biobased Coffins, The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of October 18th

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week there’s Hallowe’en around the corner and we’ll point to the very latest in biobased DIY coffins, but leading this week is the unexpected ways to make the ordinary stuff we know — like, the paper beer bottle, a 3d printed boat, and pallets

October 18, 2019 Read Full Article

Biofuels That Could Be Made from Seawater

(University of Manchester/Phys.org) Researchers from the University of Manchester are using synthetic biology to explore a more efficient way to produce the next generation of biobased jet fuels—partly made from seawater. — The Manchester research group, led by Professor Nigel Scrutton, director of the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) and supported

October 18, 2019 Read Full Article

Reduction in Gasoline-Related Cancer Causes by Blending Ethanol into Gasoline in Five Global Cities

(Vital) “Health Impact of Blending Ethanol into Gasoline in Five Global Cities” University of Illinois at Chicago, Energy Resources Center — Dr. Steffen Mueller, PhD, and others at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Energy Resources Center looked at the effect of biofuel in reducing cancers connected to chemicals such as

October 17, 2019 Read Full Article

The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to the Agile BioFoundry and the Transformation of Markets through Genetic Innovation

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Agile BioFoundry brings together a specialist team of scientists, engineers, and technical staff from eight of the U.S. Department of Energy’s national laboratories, with the aim that their collective skills, expertise, and experience lead to rapid innovation and growth in the biomanufacturing sector. The

October 17, 2019 Read Full Article

Plant Skeletons: Weighing the Environmental Impacts of a Byproduct of Biofuel Combustion

(University of Pennsylvania/Phys.org) … Burning plants, however, is not a completely clean process; it produces emissions that vary depending on the species used, the combustion conditions, and the air pollution controls. To understand one component of these emissions, an international, multidisciplinary team led by University of Pennsylvania mineralogists used highly

October 16, 2019 Read Full Article

Guidance Issued for Farmers Suffering Biodiesel Problems

(Farmer’s Weekly) Fuel suppliers have issued guidance for farmers and contractors who say biodiesel is causing low fuel pressure and blocking filters in tractors. Some farmers have suggested the problems are related to an increase in the fatty acid methyl ester (Fame) content of diesel fuel, which influences its performance. … But

October 16, 2019 Read Full Article

Greenfield Global Takes Next Steps to Expand Production at Its Varennes Biorefinery Following Draft Regulation on the Minimum Renewable Fuel Volumes in Quebec

(Greenfield Global/Oil and Gas 360) Province’s largest ethanol producer says the policy could result in a major expansion of the output of its production in Quebec. — Greenfield Global Inc., Canada’s largest ethanol producer and a world leader in high-purity specialty alcohols, welcomed the Government of Quebec’s pre-publication of draft regulations on the minimum

October 15, 2019 Read Full Article

The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Direct Air Capture

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Atmospheric CO2 levels have hit, er, stratospheric levels. The levels measured today were last recorded in 3 million B.C., and given the global concern about climate impact, a major industry is in the process of being born — namely, the Carbon Reduction Industry. Afforestation, bioenergy

October 15, 2019 Read Full Article

About Those Biobased Amines We Might One Day Dream up at Ptixar Amination

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … Lately the amines, which in the simplest description are compounds with a bunch of nitrogen stuffed inside, have improved their reputation. For one, a number of Direct Air Capture technologies have been receiving big publicity as climate fighters for their CO2-scrubbing prowess. … “various

October 15, 2019 Read Full Article

IIT-M, ExxonMobil Research Join Hands for Biofuel Research

(CanIndia) The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IITM) on Monday said it has entered into an agreement with ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company (EMRE) for research on energy and biofuels. In a statement issued here, IIT-M said it will be a five year joint research agreement focusing on biofuels, data analytics, gas

October 14, 2019 Read Full Article

Kelp Elevator Could Give Biofuels a Lift

by Katharine Gammon (Inside Science) An experiment off the coast of California may bolster efforts to make biocrude from “the Sequoia of the sea.” — Catalina Island, …. Its waters are also home to an unsual-looking science experiment: a floating bed of planted kelp that is pushed down and pulled up

October 14, 2019 Read Full Article

Leveraging Biofuels for a Cleaner Mobility Future

by Jonathan Male (U.S. Department of Energy) Biofuels are critical to our energy future. No matter how far electric vehicles come in the next 25 years, the internal combustion engines of today will continue to be a big part of our transportation reality. The only way to continue to move

October 14, 2019 Read Full Article

The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guides to Biogas

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) An organization well worth knowing in the world of biogas, or renewable methane, is the indefatigable group organized as IEA Bioenergy Task 37, an international working group which covers the anaerobic digestion of biomass feedstocks including agricultural residues, energy crops, organic-rich waste waters, the organic fraction of

October 14, 2019 Read Full Article

New Study Compares Potential of Different Decarbonisation Options in Road Transport

(VTT) Sustainable fuels could play an important role in reducing transport emissions even as electric vehicles become cheaper says a new study from VTT and the University of Cambridge Judge Business School. While electric vehicles are becoming cheaper, sustainable fuels could also play an important role in reducing transport emissions in