Green Options » Biodiesel http://greenoptions.com/tag/biodiesel Posts tagged 'Biodiesel' Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:01:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Factory Five Electric ‘33 Ford Roadster Debuts at SEMA http://gas2.org/2009/11/06/factory-five-electric-33-ford-roadster-at-sema/ http://gas2.org/2009/11/06/factory-five-electric-33-ford-roadster-at-sema/#comments Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:01:02 +0000 Christopher DeMorro http://gas2.org/2009/11/06/factory-five-electric-33-ford-roadster-at-sema/

As I’ve said before, SEMA is not usually a place you expect to see lots of alternative fuel vehicles. But in recent years there has been a paradigm shift, and increasing floor space has been devoted to debuting technologies and cars that conserve gas, rather than waste it.

Factory Five, out of Wareham Massachusetts, is a well-known maker of kit cars based on classic Shelby designs including the Cobra and Daytona. Amp=D has taken one of their kit cars based on the iconic ‘33 Ford and built a powerful electric drivetrain around this handsome hot rod.

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/11/06/factory-five-electric-33-ford-roadster-at-sema/feed/ Kansas Students Run Retro VW Beetle on Batteries and Biodiesel http://gas2.org/2009/10/16/kansas-students-run-retro-vw-beetle-on-batteries-and-biodiesel/ http://gas2.org/2009/10/16/kansas-students-run-retro-vw-beetle-on-batteries-and-biodiesel/#comments Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:19:36 +0000 Andrew Williams http://gas2.org/2009/10/16/kansas-students-run-retro-vw-beetle-on-batteries-and-biodiesel/

A group of University of Kansas students have rigged up a 1974 Volkswagen Super Beetle to run on a mix of biodiesel and battery power.

The team, calling themselves the Ecohawks, claim the quirky hybrid is capable of getting 50 MPG from a series of 10 lead-acid batteries and a biodiesel generator.

Performance-wise, although quite cool looking in a retro kind of way, the car isn’t exactly what you’d call a speedster, topping out as it does at a leisurely 30 mph.

That doesn’t seem to bother team-leader Prof. Chris Depcik though, who told reporters, “We have driven it around and reached approximately 30 mph, but this was more of a proof-of-concept drive without pushing the boundaries. We are currently getting the vehicle into road-ready shape to be driven safely in order to determine these values.” (More pics after the jump).

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/10/16/kansas-students-run-retro-vw-beetle-on-batteries-and-biodiesel/feed/ The World’s First Sustainable Race Car Makes You Go Yum Yum http://gas2.org/2009/10/05/the-worlds-first-sustainable-race-car-makes-you-go-yum-yum/ http://gas2.org/2009/10/05/the-worlds-first-sustainable-race-car-makes-you-go-yum-yum/#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:10:51 +0000 Joanna Schroeder http://gas2.org/2009/10/05/the-worlds-first-sustainable-race-car-makes-you-go-yum-yum/ The concept is good - a completely sustainable Formula 3 race car. But the products used, well, that may be another story. The race car is made from woven flax and carrot pulp as well as recycled carbon fibre and recycled resin. In addition it uses biodiesel made from chocolate and animal fats and is lubricated with plant oils. Hungry anyone?

According to EPSRC funded researcher Dr. Kerry Kirwan with the University of Warwick, the car is not just environmentally friendly, but also fast boasting a top speed of 135 mph and can go 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds. Oh, and did I mention it’s turbo charged to give it more torque?

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/10/05/the-worlds-first-sustainable-race-car-makes-you-go-yum-yum/feed/ Teenage-Built Diesel Hybrid Does 0-60 in 4 Seconds, Soon to Break 100 MPG http://gas2.org/2009/10/05/teenage-built-diesel-hybrid-does-0-60-in-4-seconds-soon-to-break-100-mpg/ http://gas2.org/2009/10/05/teenage-built-diesel-hybrid-does-0-60-in-4-seconds-soon-to-break-100-mpg/#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:13:27 +0000 Jerry James Stone http://gas2.org/2009/10/05/teenage-built-diesel-hybrid-does-0-60-in-4-seconds-soon-to-break-100-mpg/

Students from West Philadelphia High School have built a diesel-hybrid race car that goes from 0-60 in four seconds. While the car currently gets 60+ mpg, they hope to soon break 100 mpg.

Why? They are competing for $10 million in the Automotive X-Prize .

Called the Hybrid Attack, the car was built by kids from West Philly’s Academy of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering. And if that alone doesn’t make them cool, they are the only high school team competing out of 90 different teams from the U.S. and overseas.

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/10/05/teenage-built-diesel-hybrid-does-0-60-in-4-seconds-soon-to-break-100-mpg/feed/ Update: Breakthrough Biodiesel Process Now Running At Commercial Scale http://gas2.org/2009/09/30/update-breakthrough-biodiesel-process-now-running-at-commercial-scale/ http://gas2.org/2009/09/30/update-breakthrough-biodiesel-process-now-running-at-commercial-scale/#comments Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:09:26 +0000 Nick Chambers http://gas2.org/2009/09/30/update-breakthrough-biodiesel-process-now-running-at-commercial-scale/

Just about this time last year I reported on the very promising and innovative Mcgyan® biodiesel process. It was one of the most popular stories gas 2.0 ran that year, and rightly so: the breakthrough seemed to deliver the possibility of making biodiesel in mere seconds from start to finish, reducing costs by half the price of other biodiesel, producing no waste, using no chemical reactants, and using any animal fat or vegetable oil as a feedstock.

At the time the company in charge of the project, Ever Cat fuels, had only succeeded at making a small-scale pilot operation of 50,000 gallons per year. But, as of 2 days ago, the process has been completely commercialized.

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/09/30/update-breakthrough-biodiesel-process-now-running-at-commercial-scale/feed/ Seven Weeds That Could Power Your Car http://gas2.org/2009/09/30/seven-weeds-that-could-power-your-car/ http://gas2.org/2009/09/30/seven-weeds-that-could-power-your-car/#comments Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:52:51 +0000 Tina Casey http://gas2.org/2009/09/30/seven-weeds-that-could-power-your-car/ Jatropha could be cultivated as a biofuel crop.

With the attention on first generation corn ethanol fading, the next big thing on the sustainable fuel horizon is nonfood biofuel crops. Within that category, inedible weeds are taking a front-row seat due to their relatively low demands on water, pesticides, and herbicides, and their reduced need for tilling and other mechanized soil prep. Some weeds with biofuel potential can also thrive on contaminated soils, absorbing and cleaning pollutants in a process called phytoremediation.

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/09/30/seven-weeds-that-could-power-your-car/feed/ Biofuel to be Made from Tuberculosis Bacteria http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/28/biofuel-to-be-made-from-tuberculosis-bacteria/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/28/biofuel-to-be-made-from-tuberculosis-bacteria/#comments Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:01:23 +0000 Bryan Nelson http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/28/biofuel-to-be-made-from-tuberculosis-bacteria/ researcher examines biofuel-producing microbes

A team of researchers at MIT are engineering a strain of bacteria, which is similar to the type that causes tuberculosis, to produce biofuel.

The researchers say that the bacteria are useful because they are hungry for a number of sugars and toxic compounds and produce lipids that can be converted to biodiesel.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/28/biofuel-to-be-made-from-tuberculosis-bacteria/feed/ South African Company to Import Waste Vegetable Oil to Produce Biodiesel http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/25/south-african-company-to-import-waste-vegetable-oil-to-produce-biodiesel/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/25/south-african-company-to-import-waste-vegetable-oil-to-produce-biodiesel/#comments Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:40:20 +0000 Dave Harcourt http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/25/south-african-company-to-import-waste-vegetable-oil-to-produce-biodiesel/ Biodiesel Pump

Another renewable energy business that could get South Africa moving towards its goals is taking shape in Richards Bay in KwaZulu Natal.

The History

After South Africa speedily set up a renewable energy strategy the focus moved to ethanol and biodiesel with the involvement of large companies including SASOL.

First to falter was ethanol, where Ethanol Africa had actually started site works for its plant in Bothaville, when government got cold feet about using maize, the staple food of the poor of South Africa, to power cars.

Later the world food crisis lead to the Food for Fuel debate and an effective halt to the promotion of biofuels from agricultural production. There were also other smaller and less legitimate operations such as a franchise scheme based on low cost imported palm oil and even algal processing that turned out to have been “demonstrated” using scum from the farm dam!

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]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/25/south-african-company-to-import-waste-vegetable-oil-to-produce-biodiesel/feed/ 1967 Mercury Cougar With Mercedes Turbodiesel Engine Runs on Biodiesel http://gas2.org/2009/09/10/1967-mercury-cougar-with-mercedes-turbodiesel-engine-runs-on-biodiesel/ http://gas2.org/2009/09/10/1967-mercury-cougar-with-mercedes-turbodiesel-engine-runs-on-biodiesel/#comments Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:57:45 +0000 Christopher DeMorro http://gas2.org/2009/09/10/1967-mercury-cougar-with-mercedes-turbodiesel-engine-runs-on-biodiesel/

This is actually old news that recently resurfaced, and as a lifelong Cougar aficionado I can’t pass it up. In actuality, the Mercury Cougar was a refined, “gentleman’s muscle car” based on the 1st generation Mustang. It came standard with a number of gas-guzzling V8 motors including the epic “Boss” 302.

But the pristine-looking 1967 Cougar pictured here has done away with those gas hogs in favor of a Mercedes turbodiesel motor that runs on, you guessed it, biodiesel.

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/09/10/1967-mercury-cougar-with-mercedes-turbodiesel-engine-runs-on-biodiesel/feed/ Optimism In the Biofuels Industry: Dynamic Fuels Opens Commercial-Scale Biodiesel Plant http://gas2.org/2009/09/10/optimism-in-the-biofuels-industry-dynamic-fuels-opens-commercial-scale-biodiesel-plant/ http://gas2.org/2009/09/10/optimism-in-the-biofuels-industry-dynamic-fuels-opens-commercial-scale-biodiesel-plant/#comments Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:31:15 +0000 Tom Schueneman http://gas2.org/2009/09/10/optimism-in-the-biofuels-industry-dynamic-fuels-opens-commercial-scale-biodiesel-plant/

Syntroleum Corporation and Tyson Foods have partnered in a 50/50 venture called Dynamic Fuels to produce a new high-grade renewable diesel fuel. Using a proprietary Bio-Synfining process and a feedstock of animal fats, greases, and vegetable oils supplied from Tyson, Dynamic Fuels will produce diesel fuel with the lowest greenhouse gas emission levels of any transportation fuel available today.

Last month Dynamic Fuel chose Emerson Process Management to provide the digital automation and process management systems to help operate a new $138 million renewable diesel facility in Geismar, Louisiana, the largest such plant in North America. Scheduled to begin operation in 2010, the plant will produce 75 million gallons per year of of the fuel.

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/09/10/optimism-in-the-biofuels-industry-dynamic-fuels-opens-commercial-scale-biodiesel-plant/feed/ Baboons, Giant Sable, Renewable Energy in South Africa, Jatropha & Flamingos - Followup on Recent Posts http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/04/baboons-giant-sable-renewable-energy-in-south-africa-jatropha-flamingos-followup-on-recent-posts/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/04/baboons-giant-sable-renewable-energy-in-south-africa-jatropha-flamingos-followup-on-recent-posts/#comments Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:20:05 +0000 Dave Harcourt http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/04/baboons-giant-sable-renewable-energy-in-south-africa-jatropha-flamingos-followup-on-recent-posts/ Ecowordly Post

This post consists of a few lines and a link to what’s happened since some of my recent posts where there has been significant action. Each item is identified and linked by the date and title of the original post.

July 2009 - Sable Antelope - One Sold for $ 385 000 and Giant Species Rediscovered in Angola.

Three more Giant Sable Antelopes, have been sighted in Angola. This brings to six the number of this rare species, which was feared to have become extinct, that have been sited in the last few weeks.

July 2009 - Mauling of Baboon by “Fighting Dogs”, Reopens the Cape Peninsular Baboon Debate

Two men were attacked by Pit Bulls in Ocean View ,the same Township in Ocean View this week, prompting a warning from welfare group TEARS.

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]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/04/baboons-giant-sable-renewable-energy-in-south-africa-jatropha-flamingos-followup-on-recent-posts/feed/ Don’t Like Biofuels? Bet You Can’t Beat Retaliation by Blowpipe! http://gas2.org/2009/09/01/dont-like-biofuels-bet-you-cant-beat-retaliation-by-blowpipe/ http://gas2.org/2009/09/01/dont-like-biofuels-bet-you-cant-beat-retaliation-by-blowpipe/#comments Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:32:20 +0000 Nick Chambers http://gas2.org/2009/09/01/dont-like-biofuels-bet-you-cant-beat-retaliation-by-blowpipe/ Native Malaysian tribespeople are taking to traditional methods of battle — including the use of blowpipes — to combat the destruction of their homeland to satisfy the exploding worldwide demand for palm oil.

The rate at which virgin tropical rainforests are currently being cleared to plant palm plantations to supply the ravenous growth of worldwide palm oil demand is staggering: In Indonesia alone 4.4 million acres of rainforest disappear each year. Given that one American football field is roughly one acre, that’s just about 4.4 million football fields. Truly staggering.

Together, Malaysia and Indonesia account for 80% of worldwide palm oil production, but they also contain more than 80% of the remaining virgin rainforests in Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, the only remaining lands in Southeast Asia that are also the best for palm oil production are these vast swaths of virgin rainforest.

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/09/01/dont-like-biofuels-bet-you-cant-beat-retaliation-by-blowpipe/feed/ Hotel Metro in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Green, Hip and Central http://sustainablog.org/2009/08/26/hotel-metro-in-milwaukee-wisconsin-green-hip-and-central/ http://sustainablog.org/2009/08/26/hotel-metro-in-milwaukee-wisconsin-green-hip-and-central/#comments Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:47:01 +0000 John Ivanko http://sustainablog.org/2009/08/26/hotel-metro-in-milwaukee-wisconsin-green-hip-and-central/

I’m coming to the conclusion pretty fast that just about every hotel will eventually be walking the talk when it comes to going green – though some are walking slowly while others are galloping as if there isn’t a minute to waste. While ecotourism continues to grow internationally, more American companies are grasping that going green can save some green too, which is also a point I make in ECOpreneuring.

A recent trip to Milwaukee, Wisconsin (to enter a few food items in our Wisconsin State Fair) found my family and I bedding down at the Hotel Metro, a boutique, high-rise luxury 63 room hotel that features numerous green aspects, from energy efficient lighting to a rooftop hot tub spa kept clean by using a salt-water system, rather than chlorine. Metro Hotel is the first Milwaukee hotel to be certified by Travel Green Wisconsin, racking up 67 points in total.

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]]> http://sustainablog.org/2009/08/26/hotel-metro-in-milwaukee-wisconsin-green-hip-and-central/feed/ BP & Martek to Ferment Biofuels http://inspiredeconomist.com/2009/08/25/bp-martek-to-ferment-biofuels/ http://inspiredeconomist.com/2009/08/25/bp-martek-to-ferment-biofuels/#comments Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:55:46 +0000 Lisa Wojnovich http://inspiredeconomist.com/2009/08/25/bp-martek-to-ferment-biofuels/ Green algae in a benchtop fermenter

The energy giant BP and Martek Biosciences, a Maryland based company that uses micro algae to produce oil-based nutritional and dietary supplements, signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) earlier this month to produce microbial oils for biofuels applications.

Under this agreement, BP will provide the cash — up to $10 million for just the first phase — and Martek will provide the research expertise in algae fermentation technology. The idea is to develop a cost effective method of converting basic sugars derived from biomass into lipids, or microbial oils, with fermentation microorganisms. Chemical and thermocatalytic processes would then convert the oils into various types of biofuels.

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]]> http://inspiredeconomist.com/2009/08/25/bp-martek-to-ferment-biofuels/feed/ Rentech to Supply Renewable Synthetic Fuels for Los Angeles International Airport http://gas2.org/2009/08/19/rentech-to-supply-renewable-synthetic-fuels-for-los-angeles-international-airport/ http://gas2.org/2009/08/19/rentech-to-supply-renewable-synthetic-fuels-for-los-angeles-international-airport/#comments Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:46:59 +0000 Joanna Schroeder http://gas2.org/2009/08/19/rentech-to-supply-renewable-synthetic-fuels-for-los-angeles-international-airport/

Today, Rentech, Inc. announced that it will be supplying renewable synthetic fuels to eight airlines for ground service equipment operations at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

This multi-year agreement will supply the airlines with up to 1.5 million gallons per year of renewable RenDiesel. The airline purchasers under the agreement with Aircraft Service International Group (ASIG) include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, UPS Airlines and U.S. Airways. The airlines will begin using the RenDiesel in 2012, when the plant that will produce the fuel is scheduled to go into service.

“This commercial purchase contract among Rentech, ASIG and the airlines validates the growing demand for synthetic fuels produced by the Rentech Process,” said D. Hunt Ramsbottom, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rentech. “The low-emissions profile and near-zero carbon footprint of our renewable RenDiesel will guarantee that LAX ground service vehicles using this fuel will be among the cleanest and greenest of their kind.”

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/08/19/rentech-to-supply-renewable-synthetic-fuels-for-los-angeles-international-airport/feed/ The Petri Dish Overfloweth with Algae Advancements http://gas2.org/2009/08/06/the-petri-dish-overfloweth-with-algae-advancements/ http://gas2.org/2009/08/06/the-petri-dish-overfloweth-with-algae-advancements/#comments Thu, 06 Aug 2009 22:19:13 +0000 Joanna Schroeder http://gas2.org/2009/08/06/the-petri-dish-overfloweth-with-algae-advancements/

Algae, algae, algae. The research that is occurring on this second generation fuel has overfloweth the petri dish as just this week there have been five major algae announcements.

  1. W2 Energy, based in Canada, announced that it has completed its Sunfilter commercial scale algae bioreactor.
  2. Algaeventure Systems said that it has begun receiving orders for its algae harvesting, dewatering, and drying technology. The company that has placed the order is General Atomics.
  3. Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at University of North Dakota was awarded a subcontract by SAIC to use its proprietary technology to produce jet fuel from algal oils.
  4. Kent BioEnergy, based on California, announced that it is going to establish a division of the company in Charleston South Carolina, partnering with a Grant Know, a local entrepreneur.
  5. Algenol Biofuels, a Florida based company, has threatened to leave the state and now they are working with CEO Paul Woods to entice his company to stay.

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    ]]> http://gas2.org/2009/08/06/the-petri-dish-overfloweth-with-algae-advancements/feed/ Biofuel Oasis: Empowering Alternative Fuel Use http://gas2.org/2009/07/30/biofuel-oasis-empowering-alternative-fuel-use/ http://gas2.org/2009/07/30/biofuel-oasis-empowering-alternative-fuel-use/#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:53:21 +0000 Steve Schaefer http://gas2.org/2009/07/30/biofuel-oasis-empowering-alternative-fuel-use/

    Running your car on biodiesel fuel is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. BioFuel Oasis, a women’s collective/owned business in Berkeley, offers not only fuel, but a level of expertise and service you haven’t experienced in a fuel transaction in years.

    Biodiesel is made from vegetable oil, normally from soybeans. You can grow the beans to produce the oil, but the most environmentally conscious way is to use recycled oil from restaurants. Because diesel engines have much higher compression than gas engines, they can burn a range of fuels, including the stuff they use to cook French fries.

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    ]]>     http://gas2.org/2009/07/30/biofuel-oasis-empowering-alternative-fuel-use/feed/     Algae Oil Running in Big Rigs, With Small Emissions http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/30/algae-oil-running-in-big-rigs-with-small-emissions/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/30/algae-oil-running-in-big-rigs-with-small-emissions/#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2009 01:48:05 +0000 Jeff Kart http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/30/algae-oil-running-in-big-rigs-with-small-emissions/

    Pond scum just got an upgrade.

    SunEco Energy is working with J.B. Hunt Transport Services, a leading transportation company, to run trucks on biodiesel mixed with algae oil.

    SunEco says a blend of 20 percent and 50 percent algae oil with petroleum biodiesel has cut particulate emissions by 82 percent.

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    ]]>     http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/30/algae-oil-running-in-big-rigs-with-small-emissions/feed/     Making Biodiesel Better With Waste Shrimp Shells http://gas2.org/2009/07/29/making-biodiesel-better-with-waste-shrimp-shells/ http://gas2.org/2009/07/29/making-biodiesel-better-with-waste-shrimp-shells/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:43:15 +0000 Nick Chambers http://gas2.org/2009/07/29/making-biodiesel-better-with-waste-shrimp-shells/

    In a study to be published in August, Chinese researchers have found that waste shrimp shells can be converted into a material that makes biodiesel production faster, cheaper and more environmentally-friendly.

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    ]]>     http://gas2.org/2009/07/29/making-biodiesel-better-with-waste-shrimp-shells/feed/     Biodiesel Yields Hidden Treasure in Waste Glycerin http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/28/biodiesel-yields-hidden-treasure-in-waste-glycerin/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/28/biodiesel-yields-hidden-treasure-in-waste-glycerin/#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:27:50 +0000 Tina Casey http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/28/biodiesel-yields-hidden-treasure-in-waste-glycerin/ One gallon of crude glycerin is produced for every 9 gallons of biodiesel, making the disposal of waste glycerin a growing environmental issue.The world is awash in a glut of crude glycerin, a major byproduct of biodiesel manufacture. The big question is what to do with it all.  In the U.S. alone, about 340,000 tons of unrefined glycerin came into the market in 2007.  Over half of that came from biodiesel, and those numbers are bound to go up as the market for this alternative fuel grows.  Glycerin is used to manufacture soaps, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and many other products, but crude glycerin is an impure form that is unsuitable for many of these purposes.  Right now most crude glycerin is simply incinerated, a practice which undermines biodiesel’s potential as a truly sustainable fuel.  But all that is about to change.

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    ]]>     http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/28/biodiesel-yields-hidden-treasure-in-waste-glycerin/feed/