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Volume 11, Issue 5
Current price index
Feature
The continued regulatory uncertainty surrounding European Biodiesel has now taken effect and is starting to sap liquidity from the market. The proposed duty reductions on Argentinian and Indonesian imports, proposed duty increases on these countries from the USA authorities, the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions on biodiesel using methanol and now the prospect of the German Authorities...
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US biodiesel and RFS compliance after court ruling
Feature
Soy-methyl ester biodiesel spot prices increased sharply mid-summer fromearly year lows, climbing above $3 (€2.52) gallon in July and holding there after early year weakness on concern that federal policy mandating renewable fuel demand in the US transportation sector might be changed, joined by periods of lower prices for the broader diesel fuel market amid oversupply.
Untapped potential
Feature
The potential for biofuels in Asia remains enormous but progress in the practical development of the region and its creation of a working distribution network remain painfully slow.“Not a lot has changed this year on the biofuels front across the region, although the promise of the future remains as strong as ever,” says Oscar Tjakra, senior analyst with Rabobank, based in Singapore.
Flying high on seaweed
Feature
Biofuels are considered necessary to decarbonise parts of the economy where no alternatives are possible, notably aviation where electrification is not yet available. Europe today meets 90% of its renewable transport target with land-based biofuels which in many cases are at least as bad as fossil fuels.
The green stuff
Feature
In Hilo, Hawaii, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) plant pathologist LisaKeith is leading an effort to produce biodiesel using a type of green algae known as Auxenochlorella protothecoides (formerly known as Chlorellaprotothecoides). Here, she gives an analysisof her research.
Know your limits
Feature
Maximising operational effectiveness is as important to ethanol plant managers around the world as it can be challenging. Their efforts may include water-centric strategies, such as minimising water use, reducing or eliminating discharge or finding ways to reduce water-related operating costs.
Water, water everywhere and a drop of the Internet of Things
Feature
One of the major challenges facing the US’ bioethanol sector is its need to reduce water and its increasingly outdated infrastructure, as digitisation and the rise of Internet ofThings (IoT) technology continues to evolve and present companies with new ways to differentiate their services.
Counting the costs
Feature
Reverse Osmosis (RO)is a process that usesa semi-permeable membrane to remove about 99% of total dissolved solids (TDS) from a water source. The commercial application of this equipment dates back to 1959.Innovation in equipment and membrane manufacturing has made this technology more affordable and suitable for use in industry as a component in a water treatment programme.
All means necessary
Feature
The road transport sector is a major source of Europe’s emissions o fgreenhouse gases (GHGs)contributing to global warming. In addition, the sector also generates harmful local emissions, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM), affecting air quality. Emissions from road transport are considered more harmful than those from other sources, as most emissions occur in urban...
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Making more with less
Feature
Being open to new technologies and innovations can help ethanol plants to meet their sustainability goals and operate efficiently and effectively. A number of companies, including US bioethanol producer Pacific Ethanol, are using Whitefox Technologies’ membrane solution to achieve their sustainability targets.
Home and dry
Feature
It has never been more essential for ethanol plant sto maximise throughput. ICM is helping plants do this through its ethanol dehydration systems. Here, Liz Gyekye catches up with Kory Wilson, director of ICM Project Management.
Moving water from ethanol
Feature
In ethanol production, one of the last, essential steps is to dehydrate the ethanol to over a 99% purity. Achieving such high levels of ethyl-alcohol purity cannot be accomplished by distillation alone because a natural phenomenon forms, called an azeotrope, which prevents water from further being boiled out of the mixture.
Reducing emissions from transport
Feature
In recent months there has been questioning of the government’s seemingly wavering commitment to environmental issues, highlighted in the delay of publishing its Air Quality Report, and then on its sudden announcement to ban the sale of fossil fuel cars by 2040. Yet many have overlooked another severely delayed report which also has a major impact on the UK’s environmental...
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Opening instead of closing doors
Feature
Palm oil has caused a great deal of controversy in recent months. Used primarily in food production but also in cosmetics and as fuel, critics have questioned the cheap vegetable oil’s sustainability. Deforestation, peatland damage, the destruction of natural habitats, and high greenhouse gas emissions are just some of the problems linked to it.
More transparency for bio processes
Feature
In anaerobic fermentation plants, there is often a lack of reliable automated monitoring systems.Operators are faced with many influencing factors, but many of these values are only available aslaboratory measurements and are seldom analysed. For controlling bio processes and the optimisation of quality-related values, the German Biomass Research Centre used a soft sensor application from Siemens.
Making hay with the opportunities offered by CO2
Feature
The long-term sustainability of first-generation ethanol facilities, through advanced biofuels plants, is realised by making money from all of the by-products. Of course, CO2 is one of the leading components of this by-product list. There are many variables associated with the feasibility of adding a carbon dioxide plant to an ethanol facility.
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