BIO Encourages EPA to Speed Approvals of New Biofuel Pathways

In response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement it will halt new petitions for renewable fuel pathways for approximately six months, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today urged the agency to speed up rather than slow down the Petition Process for New Renewable Fuel Pathways under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). EPA first established the petition process in March 2010, as it finalized the rules for the RFS.

Brent Erickson, Executive Vice President of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section, said, “EPA’s effort to improve the petition process for new renewable fuel pathways under the RFS is welcome. But the agency should aim to complete this review process in a more timely manner.

“Advanced biofuel companies need a pathway to the fuel market in order to attract necessary investment to build and start up new production facilities that create new jobs. The lengthy wait for approval of new pathways chills job creation and investment in the sector.

“In the past four years, EPA has completed fewer than half of the 62 petitions it has received for new renewable fuel pathways under the RFS. More than 36 petitions are still awaiting action – either approval or denial – and the average time that all petitioning companies have waited is currently 17 months. Companies filing cellulosic biofuel pathway petitions have faced the longest wait times – on average 24 months. This delay has slowed deployment of new advanced biofuel technologies.

“Combined with the proposed rule the proposed delay of the petition process may further undermine the development of advanced and cellulosic biofuels just as they are set to produce millions of commercial gallons and launch a rapid scale up.”

Purdue Researchers Launch Innovative Biomass Renewable Energy Company

Mahdi Abu-Omar

Purdue University researchers are launching a company focusing on an innovative process that could revolutionize how lignocellulosic biomass is used to make biofuels and other bio-based products and chemicals.

Spero Energy Inc., which is based in the Purdue Research Park, will be led by Mahdi Abu-Omar, the R.B. Wetherill Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and associate director of Purdue's Center for Direct Catalytic Conversion of Biomass to Biofuels (C3Bio).

"Spero Energy's transformative technology of making high-value chemical products from lignin with simultaneous production of lignin-free cellulose in one step, is a significant step toward our nation's pursuit of renewable energy sources," said Abu-Omar, division head of inorganic chemistry and associate director of C3Bio. "The lignin-derived Spero products also are expected to provide this new company an entry into the aromatic specialty chemicals market."

Current biorefinery processes for producing cellulosic ethanol make use of the carbohydrates in the biomass. The lignin, accounting for more than 35 percent of the carbon in biomass, is often used in low-value applications such as heat generation.

Spero's technology portfolio, based on research efforts at C3Bio, centers on novel catalytic processes for converting lignin in wood biomass and waste to liquid chemical products. These chemicals have applications in flavoring and fragrance in addition to high-octane fuels and high-value materials, Abu-Omar said.

The process developed by Spero - its name means "hope" in Latin - produces lignin-free cellulose that can be easily converted into fermentable sugars and sugar-derived, high-value chemicals. It focuses on the delignification of mechanically milled and shredded wood with lignin conversion to methoxypropylphenols with a bifunctional catalyst under mild thermal conditions.

Phenols, which currently are manufactured from petroleum feedstock through multistep processes, are high-value fragrance and flavor compounds.

Current biofuel production is a multistep process, with carbohydrates separated from lignin in a pretreatment process, generally using acid and high temperatures.

For ethanol production, enzymes break down plant material carbohydrates into sugars, which are fermented using yeast. The yeast, using the sugars as food, creates ethanol.

Lignin, however, acts as a physical barrier in plant cell walls, making it difficult for enzymes to break down the biomass, and a chemical barrier by poisoning the enzymes. Without expensive pretreatment, the enzymes get to less than 20 percent of the biomass sugars.

Basudeb Saha, an associate research scientist at Purdue, will serve as chief technology officer of the new company, and postdoctoral researcher Trenton Parsell, with doctoral students Ian Klein and Barron Hewetson, are part of Spero's technical team. Agricultural and biological engineering professor Nathan Mosier and chemical engineering professor Fabio Ribeiro are scientific advisers.

Spero is a spinoff of efforts by Purdue researchers working on the U.S. Department of Energy-funded C3Bio project at Purdue. Affiliated with Discovery Park's Energy Center and the Bindley Bioscience Center, C3Bio also is investigating how to produce fuels that closely resemble gasoline in terms of their molecular makeup and energy density.

"We're excited about how our DOE-funded C3Bio team at Purdue is advancing this high-risk, high-reward research effort," said biological sciences professor Maureen McCann, director of C3Bio and the Purdue Energy Center. "We believe we are having a meaningful, broader impact on the overall economy and the pursuit of viable renewable energy sources through patented technologies and processes and startup companies such as Spero Energy."

Since its 2009 launch through a $20 million grant from the DOE, C3Bio and its team of researchers led by McCann have aimed at using thermal and chemical catalysts to create biofuels that utilize more of a plant's carbon.

The C3Bio team hopes to engineer catalysts or catalytic sites into plants and use heat or chemical catalysts to convert the biomass into fuel directly, without the need for enzymes, yeasts or other microbes. In addition, five patent applications have been filed in connection with the research generated through C3Bio.

The five-year project also has had additional impacts. C3Bio has created more than 20 jobs for students, postdoctoral researchers and professional staff in Indiana and another eight jobs at partner institutions. McCann also serves as director of the Purdue Energy Center.

Joining Purdue as partners of C3Bio are the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, University of Tennessee, Northeastern University and Argonne National Laboratory.

Abu-Omar, who came to Purdue in 2003 from the University of California at Los Angeles, has published more than 100 original research papers and mentored 25 doctoral students and 10 postdoctoral fellows. He and his research group are developing catalysts that transform renewable resources such as biomass to hydrocarbon fuels and high-value chemicals.

A fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Abu-Omar won the JPP Young Investigator Award from the Society of Porphyrins and Phtalocyanines and was a senior Fulbright Fellow. He also was a University Faculty Scholar and won the College of Science Interdisciplinary Award in 2010.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Converts Vehicles To Alternative Fuels; Set To Install EV Recharging Stations

Image Credit : ETCleanFuels

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is loved by millions of Americans, including the over 9 million annual visitors. Unfortunately, the vehicles that bring visitors to the park and aid staff also produce tailpipe emissions that pollute the air and threaten iconic views and species. To reduce the environmental impact of vehicles in the park, the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition (ETCleanFuels) is pleased to announce a new project with the National Park Service (NPS) and the Land of Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition to deploy alternative fuel vehicles, reduce park transportation costs and improve park air quality with joint Department of Energy and Department of Interior grant funding.

“I think the American public understands that managing a National Park is a tremendous responsibility and takes a great deal of dedication and effort by its staff, volunteers and supporters,” said +Jonathan Overly, Executive Director of ETCleanFuels. “Vehicles should enhance the work of park staff, not strain budgets with high fuel costs or harm the park’s natural resources.”

The project partners will collaborate to replace three gasoline pickup trucks with all-electric work trucks, convert five gasoline mowers to operate on propane, and install four public electric vehicle (EV) chargers at the Sugarlands and Oconaluftee Visitor Centers. DC fast-charging stations capable of repowering an all-electric vehicle in about twenty minutes will be installed at each of the two Visitor Centers—a first for the National Park Service. Traditional Level 2, 220-volt chargers will be installed as well.

A collection of outreach materials is also being released to help the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and others engage visitors and staff on the benefits of ecofriendly driving practices. The Green Rides Toolkit, as it is called, addresses vehicle idling, green driving habits, alternative fuels use, efficient vehicles options, and more sustainable forms of transportation such as mass transit, biking and walking.

ETCleanFuels looks forward to assisting the park in its on-going work to reduce emissions. Since 2005, the Smokies have been using biodiesel in their vehicles and heating fuel and are one of the largest users of biodiesel in East Tennessee. By converting to alternative fuels, organizations not only improve the quality of their communities’ air, but also achieve fuel cost savings and help secure America’s energy independence. Local, county and state parks are encouraged to look to the National Park Service’s alternative fuels work as a tremendous case study example and are welcome to seek grant funding and technical assistance from ETCleanFuels as well.

American Ethanol and NASCAR Green Partner to Promote Environmentally Friendly Biofuels

American Ethanol announced this week that they are again partnering with NASCAR for the NASCAR Race to Green initiative, beginning today. The goal of NASCAR Race to Green is to highlight the accomplishments of green programs that NASCAR and a wide range of partners have in place to help reduce the sport’s carbon footprint.

American Ethanol has partnered with NASCAR since 2011 to promote the use of biofuels across its three national series, such as Sunoco Green E15, a biofuel blended with 15 percent American-made ethanol from American-grown corn. The biofuel reduces greenhouse gases by 20 percent, is domestically produced and has been shown to increase horsepower and performance.

“This partnership with NASCAR Green truly shows the sport’s commitment to preserving our environment. Each race further proves ethanol is a reliable, high-performance fuel that has revitalized our rural communities and created more than 400,000 jobs across the country,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy. Buis added, “For the American motorist, E15 provides consumers with a cleaner, greener choice, as well as savings at the pump, while also playing a critical role in reducing our dependence on foreign oil and helping our nation move closer to energy independence.”

The NACAR Race to Green program will run until April 25. American Ethanol’s partnership with NASCAR runs throughout the entire season. American Ethanol also sponsors the Richard Childress Racing No. 3 Chevrolet SS driven by Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender and 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion Austin Dillon. American Ethanol will also be the primary sponsor of the No. 3 Chevrolet for several races this season.

2013 Ethanol Consumption

Ethanol consumption increased in 2013 to 13,175,988,000gallons, up from 12,881,862,000 gallons in 2012.

Ethanol production also increased to 13,312,488,000 gallons, up from 13,217,988,000 gallons in 2012.

Source : Fuel Ethanol Overview

2013 Biodiesel Consumption

Biodiesel consumption increased in 2013 to 1,368,000,000 gallons, an increase of  473,000,000 gallons over the 895,000,000 gallons consumed in 2012.

Biodiesel production also increased to 1,339,000,000 gallons, up from 991,000,000 gallons in 2012.

Source : EIA

Dyadic Issued Patent For Cellulosic Biofuels Processes

Dyadic International, Inc. announced that it has been issued U.S. Patent No. 8,673,618 entitled, "Construction of highly efficient cellulase compositions for enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose" by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

This new patent provides broader intellectual property rights relating to compositions and methods of developing and producing novel enzymes which efficiently convert different sources of plant biomass (e.g. corn stover, wheat straw and bagasse) to fermentable sugars. These sugars can be used in the production of advanced biofuels and bio-based chemicals.

Methods include processes for degrading plant material using enzyme mixtures and specified enzyme combinations. Enzyme compositions are used to break down specific components of plant biomass (e.g. cellulose, hemi-cellulose, and lignin) into a variety of fermentable sugars.

In addition to claims covering the production of these patented enzymes using Dyadic's C1 Expression System, a wide variety of additional production methods are covered including bacteria, yeast, algae, other fungi and plants.

Dyadic's President and CEO, Mark Emalfarb, stated, "Plant biomass provide a plentiful source of potential energy in the form of sugars that can be utilized to produce advanced biofuels and bio-based chemicals. This latest patent further broadens our family of patents that address the advanced biofuels and bio-based chemicals market. This latest patent also expands our comprehensive intellectual property portfolio further protecting our C1 Expression System, and the products derived therefrom. We anticipate that broadening our rights for these applications will allow us to further attract additional blue chip customers, partners, and collaborators."

This patent is the fourteenth U.S. patent issued to Dyadic adding to its portfolio of 41 international patents, 23 pending international and 10 pending U.S. patent applications which cover various features of Dyadic's proprietary technologies.

Happy National Ag Day 2014

National Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America. ACA is a nonprofit organization composed of leaders in the agricultural, food and fiber community, dedicating its efforts to increasing the public's awareness of agriculture's role in modern society.

The National Ag Day program encourages every American to:

• Understand how food and fiber products are produced.

• Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.

• Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy.

• Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry.

Find out more at agday.org

California Air Resources Board Releases Carbon Intensity Of Crude Oils Refined In California Report

As part of California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard, the California Air Resources Board is required to post the annual average carbon intensity calculation for crude oils supplied to California refineries. The report for 2012 was released on March 20, 2014.

The average carbon intensity for all the crude oil refined in California refineries in 2012 was 11.36 gCO2/MJ, down from 11.39 gCO2/MJ in 2010.

According to the report, the state of Alaska was the largest single supplier outside of California at 75,026,823 barrels with an assigned carbon intensity of 12.81 gCO2/MJ.

What I find most interesting about the report is the assigned values for crude oil from the Canada oil sands and how they compare to other sources of crude oil.

Let's look at the three largest Canadian crude oil sources which are all from oil sands.

Albian Heavy Synthetic supplied 4,407,187 barrels with an assigned carbon intensity of 21.02 gCO2/MJ. Cold Lake supplied 4,540,591 barrels with an assigned carbon intensity of 18.74 gCO2/MJ. Suncor Synthetic supplied 2,925,958 barrels with an assigned carbon intensity of 24.49 gCO2/MJ.

There are oil sands deposits similar to the Canadian oil sands in the Orinoco belt of Venezuela. Let's look at the two largest Venezuelan crude oil sources which are both from oil sands.

Petrozuata supplied 1,969,774 barrels with an assigned carbon intensity of 23.58 gCO2/MJ. Zuata supplied 1,056,003 barrels with an assigned carbon intensity of 23.50 gCO2/MJ.

The surprising  part of this report is that the crude oils with the highest assigned carbon intensities don't come from oil sands but from within California.

Coalinga supplied 5,544,989 barrels with an assigned carbon intensity of 25.36 gCO2/MJ. Cymric supplied 13,684,277 barrels with an assigned carbon intensity of 19.91 gCO2/MJ. Kern Front supplied 3,322,714 barrels with an assigned carbon intensity of 25.06 gCO2/MJ. Midway-Sunset supplied 29,280,377 barrels with an assigned carbon intensity of 21.18 gCO2/MJ. Poso Creek supplied 2,735,209 barrels with an assigned carbon intensity of 28.41 gCO2/MJ. Round Mountain supplied 3,848,124 barrels with an assigned carbon intensity of 28.73 gCO2/MJ. San Ardo supplied 7,262,337 barrels with an assigned carbon intensity of 28.82 gCO2/MJ.

There are other California oil fields with higher carbon intensities but I only included sources that had supplied over one million barrels.

Valero Renewable Fuels Purchases 11th Ethanol Plant

Valero Renewable Fuels Company, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Valero Energy Corporation, announced today that it has purchased a corn ethanol plant in Mount Vernon, Ind. from Aventine Renewable Energy-Mt. Vernon, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings, Inc. The plant has an annual production capacity of 110 million gallons and uses Delta-T technology, similar to the process already in use at Valero Renewables' ethanol plant in Jefferson, Wis.

The Mount Vernon plant is the 11th corn ethanol plant in Valero Renewables' system and its second in Indiana. The addition will give Valero more than 1.3 billion gallons per year in ethanol production. The plant has been shut down for approximately two years, but Valero Renewables plans to begin a restart program and resume production within the next several months.

"We're looking forward to hiring employees, restarting the plant and producing ethanol," said Martin Parrish, Valero's Vice President-Alternative Energy and Development. "We intend to invest in the Mount Vernon plant to make it competitive with other top-tier ethanol facilities, and we will use the technical expertise we have gained at our other plants to look at ways to improve Mount Vernon's reliability, production rate and product yields."

Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings, Inc., CEO and President Mark Beemer states: "Aventine's strategic divestiture of the Mount Vernon plant is an important step in revitalizing and refocusing our portfolio of ethanol assets at our Pekin, Illinois and Aurora, Nebraska facilities, while also strengthening our balance sheet. Our team is successfully delivering on our aggressive turnaround strategy and is redefining Aventine as a top-tier ethanol producer."

The Mount Vernon plant's logistical advantages include ready access to corn suppliers as well as strong rail, truck and barge transportation. The plant is at the Port of Indiana-Mount Vernon on a location leased from Ports of Indiana, the state port authority. That relationship will continue.

"This purchase diversifies Valero Renewables' portfolio of assets and access to markets, and it will be positive for the Mount Vernon area as well," said Gene Edwards, who has overseen Valero's ethanol plant acquisitions. "We look forward to a strong working relationship with Ports of Indiana, and as the other communities where we have ethanol plants have discovered, Valero is a great corporate citizen."

Ports of Indiana CEO Rich Cooper lauded the transaction, noting that it is Valero Renewables' first facility located at a major port on the inland waterway system.

"This facility will provide Valero with a tremendous strategic advantage in the production and distribution of ethanol," Cooper said. "This project combines the resources and expertise of a world-class company like Valero with one of the world's richest grain producing regions and this port's multimodal capabilities."

3.2 Million Gallons Per Year Biodiesel Processor To Be Auctioned

Maas Companies will auction a surplus 3.2 million gallon-per-year biodiesel equipment package Thursday, April 17 via timed online auction ending at 4:00 p.m.

The equipment is surplus to the ongoing operations of FUMPA Biofuels (Farmers Union Marketing and Processing Association) and will sell as one lot. FUMPA is a 75-year-old farmer-owned cooperative and an industry leader. This facility is one of the first commercial-scale biodiesel plants to meet renewable fuel standards.

The equipment package includes proof of capability for RFS-2 (EPA), schematics, manuals, BQ-9000 program documentation, RFS-2 audit compliance documentation and lab equipment. The plant was designed and built by Lurgi PSI Inc. Equipment highlights include: Lurgi 3.2 million gallon-per-year biodiesel process skid with SOUTHERN EXCHANGER CORP. methanol recovery column; BALTIMORE AIRCOIL cooling tower unit; glycerin tank/filter skid/controls, water treatment tank, chemical pumps, PALMER 10,000 gallon methanol storage tank; PALMER 15,000 gallon methyl-ester tank; 11 ALLEN BRADLEY Centerline-Intellicenter motor control centers; computer control equipment and software; SILENT KNIGHT carbon dioxide fire suppression system and additional items detailed in the auction catalog.

Auction Listing

2013 Gasoline Consumption

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) recently released the 2013 fuel consumption numbers. With these numbers we can see what the total amount of gasoline consumed for 2013 was.

Finished Motor Gasoline Consumed

2013 - 3,202,542,000 barrels x 42 = 134,506,764,000 gallons
2012 - 3,177,687,000 barrels x 42 = 133,462,854,000 gallons
2011 - 3,194,754,000 barrels x 42 = 134,179,668,000 gallons
2010 - 3,282,319,000 barrels x 42 = 137,857,398,000 gallons
2009 - 3,283,730,000 barrels x 42 = 137,916,660,000 gallons
2008 - 3,290,057,000 barrels x 42 = 138,182,394,000 gallons
2007 - 3,389,269,000 barrels x 42 = 142,349,298,000 gallons
2006 - 3,377,174,000 barrels x 42 = 141,841,308,000 gallons
2005 - 3,343,131,000 barrels x 42 = 140,411,502,000 gallons
2004 - 3,332,579,000 barrels x 42 = 139,968,318,000 gallons
2003 - 3,261,237,000 barrels x 42 = 136,971,954,000 gallons
2002 - 3,229,459,000 barrels x 42 = 135,637,278,000 gallons

Last year was the first year that the amount of Finished Motor Gasoline consumed increased since it peaked in 2007.

The number that the EIA publishes for Finished Motor Gasoline includes all the ethanol blended into the gasoline supply. So to get the number for just the amount of gasoline derived from petroleum that is consumed, the ethanol needs to be subtracted out.

Ethanol Consumed

2013 - 13,175,988,000 gallons
2012 - 12,881,862,000 gallons
2011 - 12,893,328,000 gallons
2010 - 12,858,510,000 gallons
2009 - 11,036,592,000 gallons
2008 - 9,683,352,000 gallons
2007 - 6,885,690,000 gallons
2006 - 5,481,210,000 gallons
2005 - 4,058,628,000 gallons
2004 - 3,552,192,000 gallons
2003 - 2,826,012,000 gallons
2002 - 2,073,120,000 gallons


Petroleum Gasoline Consumed : Finished Motor Gasoline - Ethanol

2013 - 121,330,776,000 gallons
2012 - 120,580,992,000 gallons
2011 - 121,286,340,000 gallons
2010 - 124,998,888,000 gallons
2009 - 126,880,068,000 gallons
2008 - 128,499,042,000 gallons
2007 - 135,463,608,000 gallons
2006 - 136,360,098,000 gallons
2005 - 136,352,874,000 gallons
2004 - 136,416,126,000 gallons
2003 - 134,145,942,000 gallons
2002 - 133,564,158,000 gallons

After several years of declines, the amount of Finished Motor Gasoline consumed that is derived from petroleum increased in 2013.

Updated : March 28, 2014

Sources : U.S. Product Supplied for Finished Motor Gasoline
Fuel Ethanol Overview

Anew Travel Center Offering E15 In Cambridge, NE

Anew Travel Center in Cambridge, Neb. now offers E15 to consumers for use in 2001 and newer vehicles.

The station will have ten pumps—five Flex Fuel dispensers that offer ethanol blends including E10, E15, E30 and E85, and five flexible fuel dispensers that offer biodiesel blends including B0, B2, B5 and B20. In doing so, Anew Travel Center also joins more than 3,000 retailers throughout the nation who have the infrastructure available to provide motorists with a choice of various ethanol blends.

"Anew Travel Center is pleased to announce the opening of our  new fueling facility,” said Cliff Meeuwsen, member of Anew. “Through the installation of the Flex Fuel dispensers, we aim to promote the use of cleaner vehicles while also displacing the country’s dependence on foreign oil and creating employment positions that will benefit the local economy.”

“Seeing retail leaders like Anew, MAPCO Express, Murphy Oil and Minnoco offering E15 continues to validate that there is a viable market for higher ethanol blends. When given the choice, consumers will seek the fuel that costs less, is better for our environment and improves the performance of their vehicles. The momentum building around E15 is really quite impressive,” stated Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy.

Anew supports the local economy by selling ethanol products made by Nebraska Corn Processing, LLC in Cambridge. Most of the crops used to produce ethanol at NCP are grown by farmers in the region, and Anew is pleased to support their efforts, as well.

GeoSynFuels Acquires Cellulosic Ethanol Demonstration Facility

GeoSynFuels, LLC (GSF) announces the acquisition of a cellulosic ethanol demonstration facility formerly owned and operated by the Blue Sugars Corporation (formerly KL Energy).

The demonstration facility, located in Upton, Wyoming, was originally constructed circa 2007 for the enzymatic conversion of wood feedstocks to ethanol. The plant has a nominal capacity of 50 tons per day of biomass and in 2011 was converted to enable the processing of sugar cane bagasse. The plant is currently based on a typical enzymatic hydrolysis flowsheet and includes all unit operations through to final fuel-grade ethanol production. GSF plans to retrofit the existing flowsheet to its proprietary 5CS Technology.

“The acquisition of the demonstration facility is an important step forward in the commercialization of our cellulosic ethanol technology. This acquisition was challenging but worth the effort given the strategic advantages this plant provides GeoSynFuels. We are very excited about entering this next stage of our technology development,” said Todd Harvey, President and CEO of GeoSynFuels.

GSF’s 5CS Technology is projected to enable the cost competitive production of cellulosic ethanol and allow GSF to play a part in displacing greenhouse gas generating transportation fuels. The 5CS Technology provides a plug-and-play ethanol package to existing biomass aggregators such as sugar cane processors, biomass-to-energy facilities and pulp mills, allowing them to realize new co-product revenues from the production of cellulosic ethanol.

The 5CS Technology derives its advantage by extracting and converting into ethanol only the hemicellulose portion of the biomass while leaving the feedstock relatively unaltered and suitable for their original obligated use. The core of the 5CS Technology is its proprietary fermentation platform which enables the conversion of five carbon sugars into economically viable ethanol. The platform represents a significant advance in fermentation technology and has the potential to play a key role in a variety of applications including the hosting of designer microbes for the production of alternative advanced biofuels and biochemicals. “This acquisition brings two significant benefits to GSF, as we not only get to prove our cellulosic ethanol technology as a package, but we also now have a facility in which to demonstrate the potential of our fermentation platform at scale for a variety of alternative applications and products,” said Dr Harvey.

ShockWave Power Cavitation Reactor by Hydro Dynamics, Inc. Installed in Cellulosic Ethanol Pilot Plant in Italy

Hydro Dynamics, Inc. (HDI) of Rome, Georgia announced today that a ShockWave Power Reactor (SPR) has been purchased and installed in a commercial cellulosic pilot plant in Italy. The SPR was purchased after successful lab testing on extraction of cellulose from corn fiber and straw.

In cellulosic ethanol agricultural products containing cellulose are treated to extract the cellulose and convert it into fermentable sugars through acid hydrolysis or enzyme. The most typical cellulose sources discussed are inedible waste materials from food crops, fast-growing high yield grasses, wood waste or the fibrous material in a corn kernel itself from corn ethanol. The SPR uses the pressure fluctuations of cavitation in order to enhance extraction and increase yields of fermentable sugars.

This unit was sold through Three-Es of Milan, Italy, an HDI partner for distribution of the SPR for industrial applications in Europe. Three-Es has been an innovator, helping to launch and commercialize several SPR applications including biogas where similar cellulosic material is processed.

HDI has a long history in lignocellulosics through extensive work in pulp and paper industry. This, combined with its already existing corn ethanol program, expertly position HDI for cellulosic ethanol. “We have felt for years that cellulosic ethanol is a logical fit for the SPR technology", said Doug Mancosky, VP of R&D for HDI. “We plan to release more information about the install in the coming months as well as performance data. Cellulosic ethanol adds to our already extensive portfolio of advanced biofuel applications for our cavitation technology.”

Marquis Energy-Wisconsin To Pay $125,000 For Violating Air Pollution Control Laws

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has announced that his office has obtained a judgment against Marquis Energy-Wisconsin, LLC, requiring payment of $125,000 in forfeitures, court costs, and surcharges for violations of Wisconsin’s air pollution control laws it's Necedah ethanol production facility.

Wisconsin facilities that have the potential to emit elevated levels of air contaminants may be required to obtain an air pollution control permit from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Air pollution control regulations and permits minimize emissions by requiring pollution control equipment, preventative maintenance, and abatement plans to reduce accidental releases. The Necedah facility is classified as a "major source" under Wisconsin's air pollution control laws because the greenhouse gas potential to emit is greater than 100,000 tons per year of carbon dioxide equivalence.

According to the complaint, filed at the request of the DNR, Marquis, who purchased the facility from Castle Rock Renewable Fuels on July 1, 2010, failed to obtain air pollutant source construction permits until November 22, 2010, 144 days after it took control of the facility. Marquis violated emission limits and other air pollution control requirements at the facility, including:

• exceeding the maximum production limit in its permit for six months and;
• the requirement that Marquis operate within approved temperature range for 43 days.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Marquis will pay penalties, fees, and costs totaling $125,000 for the violations. Marquis cooperated with the DNR and the Department of Justice, and has brought the facility into compliance.

2015 Silverado HD Gets CNG Option

Image © General Motors

Chevrolet’s expanded availability of bi-fuel versions of the new 2015 Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD trucks give customers and fleet managers more choices for cleaner-burning compressed natural gas-powered models – and savings at the pump.

With CNG currently priced about 62 percent less per gallon than gasoline, a work truck driven 26,000 miles a year can save more than $2,000 annually based on 75-percent CNG usage and comparable efficiency to gasoline.

“With CNG capability to be offered on all Silverado HD cab configurations, customers have a wider range of choices when it comes to selecting the alternatively fueled truck that matches their needs,” said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president, General Motors Fleet and Commercial. “And for companies and municipalities that maintain multiple trucks in their fleet, the fuel cost savings of CNG can really add up in a year.”

The CNG option is available on all Silverado 2500HD configurations and Silverado 3500HD models with single rear wheels. The 2500HD double cab and crew cab models are on sale now, with 2500HD regular cab and all 3500HD models going on sale in July.

With the additional driving range enabled by a separate CNG tank, Silverado HD bi-fuel models have a total range of up to 650 miles, meaning less time needed for fill-ups. When equipped with a 4.10 axle ratio, the maximum conventional trailering rating is 13,000 pounds on gas or CNG.

GM warrants and validates the fuel systems of the 2015 Silverado HD bi-fuel trucks.   GM’s five-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty covers CNG fuel systems. All major components associated with the CNG system also carry GM service part numbers, for availability throughout the largest dealer network in the United States. That’s not the case with some other manufacturers’ available bi-fuel trucks.

“Silverado bi-fuel pickups are available through any of Chevrolet’s more than 3,000 dealerships across America just like any other model,” said Peper. “It’s one of the industry’s most seamless integration of OEM-delivered CNG vehicles.”

The unique version of the 6.0L engine – identified by an LC8 engine code – features special hardened valves and valve seats that enable it to run on CNG or gasoline. It is rated at 360 horsepower (268 kW) and 380 lb-ft of torque (515 Nm) on gas, and 301 horsepower (225 kW) and 333 lb-ft of torque (452 Nm) on CNG.

A separate CNG fuel tank enables the driver to switch between fuels at the flip of a switch. When the CNG tank is depleted, the system automatically switches to gasoline. GM’s tier-one supplier installs the CNG fuel tank and complementing fuel system upgrades at a secondary location. Chevrolet dealers deliver the trucks as they would with any optional content.

CNG is cleaner burning than conventional gasoline or diesel. Today, most of the natural gas used in the U.S. comes from domestic or other North American sources. Depending on their usage habits, many customers can recoup the incremental investment in CNG vehicles within a few years, and the lower fuel cost enables a significant reduction in daily operating costs.

U.S. Crude Oil Production In 2013 Reaches Highest Level Since 1989

Total U.S. crude oil production averaged 7.5 million bbl/d in 2013, 967,000 barrels per day (bbl/d) higher than 2012 and the highest level of U.S. production since 1989. In December 2013, U.S. crude oil production reached 7.9 million barrels per day (bbl/d), according to EIA's recently released December 2013 Petroleum Supply Monthly, an increase of 785,000 bbl/d (11%) compared with December 2012.

The 15% increase in U.S. production from 2012 to 2013 was the largest annual percentage increase since 1940. The increase in domestic production supported high refinery utilization rates, reduced U.S. imports of crude oil, and changed domestic and global crude oil and petroleum product trade flows.

U.S. crude oil production gains were geographically concentrated in Texas and North Dakota, which together accounted for 83% of U.S. production growth. Production in the Eagle Ford formation in South Texas reached an estimated 1.22 million bbl/d in December 2013. Production from the Bakken formation in North Dakota and Montana averaged 0.9 million bbl/d in 2013 and reached 1 million bbl/d in November 2013. Other states with significant production increases included Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Colorado.

Seven states and the Gulf of Mexico had lower crude oil production in 2013 than in 2012. The Gulf of Mexico and Alaska accounted for most of the decline, each falling by 2%.

Increased domestic production provided U.S. refineries with additional volumes of cost-advantaged crude oil, supporting high refinery runs. Monthly U.S. refinery utilization averaged 88% in 2013 and exceeded 90% for six months of the year. Gross inputs to atmospheric crude oil distillation (CDU) units increased 355,000 bbl/d (2%) over 2012 levels.

As domestic production rose during 2013, crude oil imports were displaced and net imports fell to 7.6 million bbl/d – the lowest level since 1996. U.S. net imports of crude oil declined by 861,000 bbl/d (10%) in 2013 and at year-end were 30% below the June 2005 peak of 10.7 million bbl/d. The share of U.S. crude oil demand supplied by domestic production rose sharply in 2013, averaging 49% compared with 43% in 2012. U.S. crude oil production was 6% higher than net imports in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Looking ahead, EIA's March Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) projects U.S. production to average 8.4 million bbl/d in 2014, an increase of 0.9 million bbl/d. In 2015, STEO projects U.S. oil production to rise an additional 0.8 million bbl/d to average 9.2 million bbl/d, close to the 1970 historical peak U.S. annual production of 9.6 million bbl/d. STEO projects crude oil production growth to be concentrated primarily in the Bakken, Eagle Ford, and Permian formations through 2015. STEO also projects Gulf of Mexico production to rise in the near term, increasing 140,000 bbl/d in 2014 and an additional 210,000 bbl/d the following year to average 1.6 million bbl/d in 2015. Projected Gulf of Mexico production increases result from 8 projects expected to come online in 2014 and an additional 10 in 2015.

Source : EIA

National Biodiesel Board Applauds California's Preliminary ILUC Proposal

Clean air and biodiesel - with the California Air Resources Board proposal released today you are likely to find both in California well into the future. The proposal recognizes biodiesel’s sustainability and environmental benefits, takes a notable step in the right direction, and will open new avenues for biodiesel use in the state.

For several years the Air Resources Board has been working to assign Indirect Land Use Change values to various alternative fuels. Though the concept of indirect land use remains under debate nationally, in California, these values will ultimately determine how products may be used to comply with the state’s low carbon fuel standard and future carbon reduction goals. The outcome of the final rule is likely to trickle across the nation as other states follow the state’s lead on carbon mitigation.

“We applaud the Air Resources Board for recognizing the need to reduce carbon from transportation and fossil fuels to mitigate climate change,” said Don Scott, National Biodiesel Board Director of Sustainability. “Since America’s Advanced Biofuel, biodiesel, is among the most effective tools for carbon reduction this represents a major step forward. We are hopeful the agency will continue on this path to use the best science to quantify the benefits of biodiesel.”

The National Biodiesel Board has provided information and expert resources to ARB as the group worked to improve its quantification through a comprehensive process. Figures released today are preliminary, however they bring California’s policy generally in line with similar values defined by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA has concluded that biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas by as much as 86 percent compared to petroleum diesel. The ARB revised indirect land-use change estimates show biodiesel is among the most sustainable fuels available and concludes biodiesel made from soy oil generates about half the indirect emissions that ARB originally outlined during its rulemaking process in 2009. The National Biodiesel Board will continue working with ARB to demonstrate that biodiesel made from a wide array of feedstocks meets the strict sustainability requirements of the low carbon fuel standard.

POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels Joins Advanced Ethanol Council

The Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC) is pleased to welcome POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels as its newest member. POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels is a joint venture between POET, one of the world’s largest grain-ethanol producers based in Sioux Falls, S.D., and Royal DSM, a Netherlands-based life sciences and material sciences company with expertise in advanced enzymes and yeasts.

“As cellulosic ethanol becomes a growing force in fulfilling biofuel requirements in the U.S., it’s important for POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels to work with other industry leaders to help shape policies that ensure consumer understanding of – and access to – its environmental, economic and energy-security benefits,” said Steve Hartig, General Manager – Licensing for POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels. “We see membership in the Advanced Ethanol Council as a path toward growing the production of cellulosic ethanol domestically, which will help accelerate the pace of the global bio-based economy.”

POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels is nearing completion of a cellulosic ethanol biorefinery in Emmetsburg, Iowa, called Project LIBERTY, which will have a 25 million gallon annual capacity. The technology developed for the facility can be licensed to enable low-carbon, cellulosic ethanol production nationally and in forward-thinking developing countries that have a bio-based strategy.

“As a key player in the industry that has the proven know-how to scale up its advanced technology to commercial scale, POET-DSM is a strong, strategic addition to the Council’s ranks as cellulosic ethanol moves from the development stage to full-scale commercial production in 2014,” said Brooke Coleman, Executive Director of the AEC.

The Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC) represents worldwide leaders in the effort to develop and commercialize the next generation of ethanol fuels, ranging from cellulosic ethanol made from dedicated energy crops, forest residues and agricultural waste to advanced ethanol made from municipal solid waste, algae and other feedstocks. It is the only advanced biofuel group with the singular purpose of promoting advanced ethanol fuels and technologies.

Arizona Universities Partner To Grow Algae For Renewable Fuel And To Remediate Wastewater

Arizona universities are working together to turn the state’s waste to gold – or at least renewable fuel. As part of an Arizona Board of Regents funded project, students and researchers from Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona are collaborating to grow algae using wastewater. The algae can then be harvested to create fuel, feed and food products.

The collaboration is designed to advance the application of algae in Arizona as an industry to produce valuable products and remediate wastewater, and to educate and develop a workforce to support the industry. The goal is to maximize Arizona’s resources.

On March 7, the public is invited to learn about the on-going projects at each university. The University of Arizona will host a public forum to present student work and projects which range from aquaculture to the study of algal DNA and the use of saline waters to grow algae.

This event follows the initial public presentation held at NAU on November 2, 2013 which introduced the variety of projects that Arizona university students are focusing on to advance Arizona’s algaculture.

“It was a great first meeting,” says Terry Baxter, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at NAU. “The students not only gave wonderful presentations about their work in a public setting, but they have become much more aware of how important it is to work together across the three institutions.” In addition to informing the public, these meetings also allow researchers from each of the public institutions to share information, generate and discuss new ideas, and develop new approaches that can ultimately advance the work that is being done in Arizona.

Arizona serves as an ideal location for algae research with expansive non-arable land suitable for algae farms and more than 330 sunny days per year to encourage algae growth through photosynthesis. More than 40 algae-related enterprises are located throughout the state, including industries stemming from university research.

The project is funded by the Arizona Board of Regents Technology and Research Initiative Fund (TRIF).

NTSB to Examine the Safe Transportation of Crude Oil and Ethanol by Train

The National Transportation Safety Board today announced it will hold a public forum on April 22-23 in Washington that will examine the safety issues associated with the transportation of crude oil and ethanol by rail.

The forum, Rail Safety: Transportation of Crude Oil and Ethanol, will explore DOT-111 tank car design, construction and crashworthiness; rail operations and risk management strategies; emergency response challenges and best practices; and federal oversight.

"While the soaring volumes of crude oil and ethanol traveling by rail has been good for business, there is a corresponding obligation to protect our communities and our environment," said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. "This forum will explore both the risks and opportunities that exist to improve the safety of transporting these important commodities."

State Of South Dakota To Incorporate E15 Into State Vehicle Fleet

Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced today that the state will begin incorporating E15 fuel into its state vehicle fleet. The fuel, according to Gov. Daugaard, will be made available during a test period at four major fuel sites across the state during the upcoming months.

“South Dakota is a large ethanol producer, and our state has significantly benefitted from the ethanol industry,” said Gov. Daugaard. “The goal is to use more of our homegrown fuel by using E15, the newest fuel in the marketplace.”

During the test period, the state will utilize E15 for flex fuel vehicles and some of its newer non-flex fuel models. Currently, the state fueling sites primarily provide E10 fuel for all of the state’s flex fuel vehicles and other gasoline vehicles. Flex fuel vehicles make up over 58 percent of the fleet or 1,950 vehicles.

The test period for E15 will be about six months long. After the trial, the state will evaluate how the use of the E15 blend affected the fleet and determine how to efficiently utilize homegrown ethanol in the future. The test fuel sites are located in Brookings, Pierre, Rapid City and Sioux Falls.

“Gov. Daugaard is providing tremendous leadership and vision by encouraging the use of E15 in the state’s vehicle fleet, a move which will support South Dakota’s farmers and ethanol industry,” said Ron Lamberty, senior vice president of the American Coalition for Ethanol. “We are confident state employees will find E15 a safe, reliable and affordable fuel choice.”

According to Dana Siefkes-Lewis, president of South Dakota Ethanol Producers Association, ethanol is a $3.8 billion industry in South Dakota.

2014 Chrysler Flexible Fuel Vehicles

 The following 2014 Chrysler vehicles with the engines listed are flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) capable of operating on regular gasoline, E85 or any combination of the two fuels.

3.6l Chrysler 200
3.6l Chrysler 300 FWD/AWD
3.6l Chrysler Town & Country

3.6l Dodge Avenger
3.6l Dodge Charger FWD/AWD
2.0l Dodge Dart
3.6l Dodge Durango 2WD/AWD
3.6l Dodge Grand Caravan
3.6l Dodge Journey FW
3.6l Ram 1500 2WD/4WD
3.6l Ram C/V

3.6l Jeep Grand Cherokee 2WD/FWD

See Also :
2014 Ford Flexible Fuel Vehicles
2014 GM Flexible Fuel Vehicles

National Algae Association Selects OriginOil Harvester for its Model Algae Demonstration Site

OriginOil Inc., developer of Electro Water Separation (EWS), the high-speed, chemical-free process to clean up large quantities of water, today announced that the National Algae Association (NAA) has selected OriginOil’s entry-level algae harvester for its model demonstration site, which features best-of-breed algae production systems in permanent operation.

Jose Sanchez Piña, OriginOil VP of algae and aquaculture, successfully commissioned the Model 12 system at the NAA site in February with a first harvest of high-density algae concentrate.
To mark the showcase installation, Sanchez delivered a presentation on maximizing profits from algae production at the NAA’s Commercial Algae Cultivation, Harvesting, Extraction Technologies and Networking Workshop in San Francisco on February 28^th.

“Frankly, we were impressed,” said Barry Cohen, NAA Executive Director. “The OriginOil harvester immediately extracted a viable algae concentrate without any of the ‘splatter’ and other side effects that other methods can cause. There is no doubt in my mind that this is the best way to harvest algae efficiently, without chemicals and without destroying it. We plan to spotlight this technology in the coming months as part of the essential toolkit of the commercial algae producer.”

“We are honored that NAA has chosen our technology for its Texas demonstration site,” said Riggs Eckelberry, OriginOil CEO. “This all started at the NAA-sponsored tour of our facilities two years ago – when I convinced Barry Cohen to taste biocrude we made from algae! He’s practical and hands-on and that’s what our industry needs.”

NAA will demonstrate the operation and application of the Model A12 at its site every Friday beginning in March and will hold classes for students and algae producers.

EPA Adopts Tier 3 Gasoline Standard

The EPA enacted new standards for gasoline today that is meant to reduce harmful vehicle pollution.

The final fuel standards will reduce gasoline sulfur levels by more than 60 percent – down from 30 to 10 parts per million (ppm) in 2017. Reducing sulfur in gasoline enables vehicle emission control technologies to perform more efficiently. New low-sulfur gas will provide significant and immediate health benefits because every gas-powered vehicle on the road built prior to these standards will run cleaner – cutting smog-forming NOx emissions by 260,000 tons in 2018.

The Tier 3 standards cut tailpipe pollution where people live and breathe – reducing harmful emissions along the streets and roadways that run through our neighborhoods and near our children’s schools. By 2018, EPA estimates the cleaner fuels and cars program will annually prevent between 225 and 610 premature deaths, significantly reduce ambient concentrations of ozone and reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by about 260,000 tons. That is about 10 percent of emissions from on-highway vehicles, with those reductions reaching 25 percent (330,000 tons) by 2030.

By 2030, EPA estimates that up to 2,000 premature deaths, 50,000 cases of respiratory ailments in children, 2,200 hospital admissions and asthma-related emergency room visits, and 1.4 million lost school days, work days and days when activities would be restricted due to air pollution. Total health-related benefits in 2030 will be between $6.7 and $19 billion annually. The program will also reduce exposure to pollution near roads. More than 50 million people live, work, or go to school in close proximity to high-traffic roadways, and the average American spends more than one hour traveling along roads each day.

According to the EPA, reducing the sulfur content will cost less than a penny per gallon of gasoline.

The American Petroleum Institute (API) is opposed to the new standard and estimates much higher costs for very little benefit.

“This rule’s biggest impact is to increase the cost of delivering energy to Americans, making it a threat to consumers, jobs, and the economy,” said API Downstream Group Director Bob Greco. “But it will provide negligible, if any, environmental benefits. In fact, air quality would continue to improve with the existing standard and without additional costs.”

The new rule could require $10 billion in capital costs, according to a study by Baker & O’Brien. The annual compliance cost is $2.4 billion, equating to a potential cost increase of between six cents and nine cents per gallon of gasoline produced. The new sulfur standard of 10 parts per million would “yield only very small additional improvements” in air quality, according to analyses by ENVIRON.

“Besides the enormous costs and negligible environmental benefit, we are also concerned about the timeline of EPA’s new rule,” Greco said. “The rushed timeframe leaves little opportunity for refiners to design, engineer, permit, construct, start up, and integrate the new machinery required. This accelerated implementation only adds costs and potentially limits our industry’s ability to supply gasoline to consumers.”

According to Ethanol Producer Magazine this standard also makes E10 the standard test fuel for emissions testing.

General Motors addressed the fact that E10, rather than straight gasoline, is now the new test fuel. “We commend EPA for selecting a certification fuel that is representative of in-use fuels,” the company said in a prepared statement. “This allows OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to optimize vehicle performance to an actual fuel that our customers use nationwide.”

Illinois Corn Processing To Install GreenShift Corporation's Corn Oil Extraction System

GreenShift Corporation announced today that Illinois Corn Processing LLC (ICP) of Pekin, Illinois, has executed an installation and licensing agreement with GreenShift for its proven Corn Oil Extraction System. ICP is now the thirty-second ethanol plant to license GreenShift’s patented technology.

Under the terms of the agreement, GreenShift will design and construct a new corn oil extraction system, to be completed this Spring, for ICP at its ethanol plant in Pekin. ICP will be using an Alfa Laval Disc Stack Centrifuge for maximum performance and up time of the integrated, automated system. Also included in the licensing agreement will be ongoing technical support provided by GreenShift to maximize the performance and benefits of corn oil extraction for ICP.

Growth Energy and Richard Childress Racing Unveil the 2014 No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet SS

At Growth Energy’s fifth annual Executive Leadership Conference, the No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet SS was unveiled by Growth Energy Co-Chair Jeff Broin, Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis, Growth Energy Board Member and special guest Richard Childress and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver, and 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion, Austin Dillon. The No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet SS will debut in the “The Profit on CNBC” 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, March 2nd at 1 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time).

"American Ethanol is extremely pleased to once again partner with Austin Dillon, Richard Childress and the entire RCR team to help promote a sustainable homegrown American fuel that is better for our environment, reduces our dependence on foreign oil and creates jobs right here in the U.S., while revitalizing rural economies across America and saves consumers at the pump," said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy.

Through American Ethanol, Growth Energy has been a long-time sponsor of Austin Dillon and Richard Childress Racing. Growth Energy is also a partner with NASCAR Green. By supporting the Sunoco Green E15 racing fuel, Growth Energy and NASCAR are both dedicated to reliable, home-grown, renewable fuel that is environmentally friendly.