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Posts Tagged ‘Biodiesel’

Having a Biodiesel processors is fundamental when you want to get started producing your own biodiesel fuel for your own automobiles. These days you have couple of possibilities:

* Build your biodiesel kit with your own design.

* Buying a biodiesel plant.

Buying a biodiesel processor is a great concept. If your interested in making your own biodiesel fuel, this might be the best approach to go with. There are numerous biodiesel plants on the market these days. Normally if you are going spend income, it is possible to expect to shell out any where from $500 USD to $10,000 USD. All of it depends on your wants, the quantity you would like to produce, and your budget.

Another good reason for purchasing a biodiesel processor is because real technical engineers created the machines, they have thought of things you wouldn’t…like safety functions. One of the greatest safety functions you would like to try to find is actually a “closed system” biodiesel processor. What this means is the chemical reaction that occurs, lets no fumes escape. This is crucial due to the fact the fumes, if inhaled might be hazardous.

Yet another reason, will be the time factor. Obtain a kit and it is delivered to your door. You assemble it, obtain the ingredients, and you are ready to go.

If you build one, there’s an initial education phase, then collecting all the parts, developing the processor itself, going by means of the trial and error and “tweaking” it to get it to work correctly, then consistently refining the processor to get it the way you would like.

Let’s speak about the biodiesel processors; You are able to roughly divide them into 3 distinct categories.

* Low price range, ($500-$3,000)

* Mid price range, ($3,000-$5,000)

* High price range ($5,000-$50,000)

Low Price Range: ($500-$3,000) It really is specifically what it is possible to expect. It is a fundamental biodiesel processor that will get the job done. But do not anticipate several frills. In the event you get a Yugo, do not anticipate a Mercedes. Having said that, you’ll find some at the greater end of this range that aren’t bad. In fact, they’re very nice.

Another option in between building your own and purchasing a costly kit is to buy a low-cost one, then add the gizmos along the way, as you determine a need. When seeking a biodiesel kit in this range make certain you get one with a separate “dry wash” system that eliminates water washing. If they’re selling them separately or as an “add on,” look at other machines It should be an all-in-one unit at the higher end of this price range.

Also be careful and ask lots of questions if the one you are considering has a plastic tank. How high can the biodiesel be heated? Select a metal tank if achievable.

Mid Price Range: ($3,000-$5,000) In this price range, you must have the ability to get specifically what you need. You are going to also have the ability to get the additional gizmos and gadgets. Including complete auto-mation. Throw a switch and once you return, it’s done.

High Price Range: ($5,000 to $50,000) You’ll find some extremely good processors in this range. This will be the world of the “Biodiesel Professional“. You will get some type of automation, larger capacity, a lot more economical operations, etc. It does not matter which kind you decide on making your own renewable fuel is definitely a wonderful decision.

Biofuels digest just published a story entitled “The U.S. Biodiesel Revival”.

It speaks of the re-birth of the American Biodiesel industry. It also revisits Impurium biofuels one of our nations leading biodiesel producers. The section regarding  Optimism Revives with RFS2 depicting how  EPA finally issued rules for the revised Renewable Fuel Standard, which called for a rapid expansion in biodiesel blending, and also qualified biodiesel as an advanced biomass fuel.

As we have seen it is not really a tax credit issue that has killed biodiesel, it is a “CHEAP FEEDSTOCK” solution that has hurt the industry the most. This story also talks about the utilization of less popular feedstocks that actually work and are very cheap to obtain.

What’s the bottom line? Biodiesel is finally on the rebound and it’s what we all have been waiting for. Check out the full story for yourself here: http://tinyurl.com/2e5nsg9

Do not forget!   Please sign our bio-diesel mandate petition here:

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/mandated-biodiesel-blend.html

Stay Green!

Source National Biodiesel Board
The U.S. House has approved H.R. 4213, the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010, by a 215 to 204 margin (the second portion of the divided question adding a provision pertaining to Medicare physician payment updates was also adopted). The legislation retroactively extends the biodiesel tax incentive through December 31, 2010.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has indicated his desire to have the U.S. Senate consider tax extender legislation when the U.S. Senate reconvenes the week of June 7, 2010.

Both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate will be adjourned the week of May 31, 2010. NBB’s Washington, DC office will continue to provide timely updates as events warrant when Congress reconvenes the week of June 7.

Biodiesel Public Policy Benefits: The biodiesel tax incentive has helped achieve the worthwhile policy goal of increasing the production and use of biodiesel in the U.S. In 2004, when the incentive was initially enacted, the U.S. produced 25 million gallons. In 2009, that number rose to 545 million gallons. There are compelling public policy benefits associated with the enhanced production and use of biodiesel in the U.S. Among the most are:

* The Biodiesel Industry is Creating Green Jobs and Making a Positive Contribution to the Economy;
* Biodiesel is Good for the Environment, reducing carbon pollution by up to 85 percent, according to the EPA;
* Biodiesel Reduces our Dependence on Foreign Oil.

The biodiesel tax incentive has helped achieve the desired goal of increasing the domestic production and use of biodiesel, and in turn has helped the U.S. realize the energy security, economic and environmental benefits associated with displacing petroleum with domestically produced renewable fuels. These benefits, however, will be lost if Congress does not act in a timely manner to address the immediate issue facing the industry and retroactively extend the biodiesel tax incentive.

What Can You Do?

Do you think Congress should reinstate the biodiesel tax incentive and continue to realize the economic, energy secur ity and environmental benefits that come from the production and use of biodiesel?

If your answer to this common-sense question is “yes,” then you should contact your Federal Elected officials immediately about this issue. For your Congressman, click HERE and for your Senators click HERE to get the contact information to reach out to your elected officials on this important issue.

Thank you for your support of biodiesel.

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) welcomed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) issuance of the final rule to implement the expanded Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) provided for in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007(EISA).

“The U.S. biodiesel industry is pleased that the EPA has issued the final RFS2 rule,” said Joe Jobe, Chief Executive Officer of the NBB.  “There are significant job creation, energy security and environmental benefits associated with expanded biodiesel use.  Today’s rulemaking – in particular implementation of the Biomass-based Diesel program – will allow America to reap these benefits.”

EISA was enacted on December 19, 2007.  The legislation expanded the Renewable Fuels Standard and for the first time specifically provided for a renewable component in U.S. diesel fuel.  RFS2 requires the use of 500 million gallons of Biomass-based Diesel in 2009, increasing gradually to 1 billion gallons in 2012.  From 2012 through 2022, a minimum of 1 billion gallons must be used domestically, and the Administrator of the EPA is given the authority to increase the minimum volume requirement.  To qualify as Biomass-based Diesel, the fuel must reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50 percent compared to petroleum diesel.  Biodiesel is the only fuel available in commercial quantities in the U.S. that meets the definition of Biomass-based Diesel.

On May 26, 2009, the EPA issued the proposed rule to implement the RFS2 program.  The proposed rule contained several significant flaws that were highlighted in NBB’s comments.  Many of these concerns have been addressed in the final rule, including:

• Final rule accounts for 2009 and 2010 Biomass-based Diesel use requirements. Consistent with EISA’s requirements, 1.150 billion gallons of biodiesel must be used domestically by the end of 2010.  Biodiesel used domestically in 2009 and 2010 will count towards this total.

• EPA’s lifecycle GHG emission calculations are significantly improved. NBB’s comments noted significant shortcomings with EPA’s initial lifecycle methodology, including inaccuracies pertaining to nitrogen fixing with soybeans; co-product allocation; energy balance; and agricultural efficiencies.  Industry comments also noted significant flaws associated with EPA’s initial international land use assumptions.  The GHG methodology used in the final rule has been updated to reflect industry comments, and biodiesel produced from domestic soybean oil is assumed to reduce GHG emissions by 57 percent compared to petroleum diesel fuel, and the EPA’s uncertainty analysis recognizes that the GHG reduction could be as high as 85 percent.  Thus, biodiesel produced from soybean oil will qualify for the Biomass-based Diesel program, and the rulemaking provides pathways for biodiesel produced from other vegetable oils to qualify for the program.  Though NBB continues to object to the use of international indirect land use change in EPA’s GHG methodology, the methodology employed in the final rule represents a significant improvement over the proposed rule.

“The U.S. biodiesel industry stands ready to provide the fuel that will be needed to meet the readily attainable Biomass-based Diesel goals established in RFS2.  We look forward to working with all industry stakeholders to successfully implement this worthwhile program,” concluded Jobe.

Enterprise Holdings, owner of the Alamo Rent-A-Car, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental brand names, made a big announcement in support of biodiesel during day two at the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo in Grapevine, Texas.

Big Business Goes Green

The company announced its commitment to move its entire fleet of more than 600 shuttle buses to B20 within the next 5 years, beginning with incorporating at least B5 in all its buses this year.

Nine Enterprise Holdings markets will convert to using B20 in its shuttle buses immediately, said Lee Broughton, director of corporate identity and sustainability for Enterprise Holdings, and by the end of next year, 50 percent of Enterprise Holdings’ shuttle buses will be running on B20.

Broughton said the company will have reduced its petroleum consumption by 420,000 gallons in the first year alone.

Also announced was the appointment of Richard Sayre as director of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Institute for Renewable Fuels at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis.

Sayre, former cellular plant and molecular biology professor at Ohio State University, and his team of 10 researchers will work to develop algae for biofuels, and will focus efforts in ways such as utilizing CO2 from coal-fired power plants to help grow algae, which would act as a carbon sink. Sayre said nutrients could be provided to the algae with water from sewage treatment facilities.

“We can use the contaminants as fertilizer,” he said. “Algae doubles it biomass in 24 hours, and it can be harvested daily,” he added—which captured the attention of the Department of Defense.

Sayre said algae’s energy balance today is only about 2:1, but theoretically this can increase four to six times with research and development.

Even though the federal government has not approved the biodiesel tax credit extension yet, some states have already been proactive in mandated biodiesel blend policy or state run tax credits. The states that have a mandated blend are: MN,WA,LA,MA,NM,OR & PA. Indiana and Iowa have their own state run tax incentives for biodiesel biofuel producers. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, a ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee, has said he wants to make the federal credit a priority and thinks it could be passed in February or March. The question is just how long will the biodiesel industry have to wait?

What to do with my Glycerin after I make biodiesel was the question I got today from a home based biodiesel producer. My response was plenty! You can make soap, sell it to a cement or asphalt plant as a burner fuel, it has a high BTU rating and they will gladly take it. Asphalt and Cement plants usually burn a D4 or D5 diesel fuel oil for power generation to make their end products. I also suggested he put it on craigslist; you would be surprised at the response you can get. We have actually sold vegetable oil (UVO, WVO) that way. Last but not least of all glycerin is also a nutrient base for feedlot cattle, yep they are feeding it to cows. So do some research, but whatever you do, do not pour it down your drain! EPA problems you do not need.

Free E-Book On Biodiesel ->

A new program at the Advanced Research Projects Agency—Energy (Arpa-e) is looking to develop alternative liquid fuels using microorganisms. On Thursday, Technology Reviewreported that Arpa-e, a division of the U.S. Department of Energy, will begin funding research for biodiesel development.

Endeavors to create alternative fuels using microorganisms are hardly new. In July HeatingOil.com reported that biotechnology firms are working to develop biofuel using nonfood plant matter in order to avoid sacrificing food for fuel and contributing to rising food costs.

What is new about Arpa-e’s research is the goal of creating liquid fuels using organisms that do not require photosynthesis. According to Arpa-e director Arun Majumdar, photosynthesis is highly inefficient. Although not proven, the hope is that nonphotosynthetic microorganisms will allow for more efficient biofuel development.

Researchers also hope that the use of nonphotosynthetic microorganisms will allow for the creation of an alternative diesel fuel. Should Arpa-e researchers prove successful, the use of nonphotosynthetic microorganisms could potentially be used to create other alternative fuels that are chemically similar to diesel, such as heating oil.

FREE BIODIESEL EBOOK -

Nathonal Ethanol Conference is being held in Orlando 15-17 in Orlando. Promises to be packed full of information. Even though biodiesel has not reached the heights of success as Ethanol “YET” these type of events are always great to network and learn stuff you had no idea of. Heck it may also generate new business. Check out the link here for more detailed info http://www.nationalethanolconference.com/

Guidance for Biodiesel Producers and Biodiesel Blenders & Users
Purpose The purpose of this document is to explain and clarify EPA’s regulatory requirements for biodiesel producers and biodiesel blenders.