American Biodiesel news

Long Beach, California [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] InnovaTek and Seattle BioFuels announce the first successful production of hydrogen from 100% biodiesel in a microchannel steam reformer. This is the first time a renewable fuel source has been used to produce hydrogen in a microchannel steam reformer to power emission-free fuel cells. InnovaTek's reforming system was initially developed to produce hydrogen from fossil fuels.


In addition to biodiesel, InnovaTek has also used its technology to produce hydrogen from glycerol (a byproduct of biodiesel production), and the raw soybean oil that is used to manufacture the biodiesel fuel. The use of glycerol as a source for hydrogen has the additional advantage of producing a valuable commodity from a byproduct of biodiesel production. This benefit contributes favorably to the economics of biodiesel as a fuel that is competitive with petroleum diesel fuel.


InnovaTek successfully demonstrated the ability to generate hydrogen from pure biodiesel (B100) produced at the Seattle Biodiesel production facility. One of the advantages of InnovaTek's technology is the use of micro- or millichannel geometries for the catalytic reactor and heat exchangers. Microchannel reactors offer some distinct advantages over conventional reactors (tubular or vessel), including inherent safety, compact size and high conversion rates. The microchannel reformer achieved a 100% conversion rate of the pure biodiesel (B100).


"The demonstration of the InnovaGen fuel processor with renewable liquid fuels further establishes the flexibility and value of InnovaTek's technology for sustainable power production," said Patricia Irving, CEO and founder of InnovaTek. "We are committed to the development and commercialization of innovative products that will reduce emissions and offer viable alternatives to petroleum."


InnovaTek's InnovaGen fuel processor, which can be used for a broad range of fuel choices, both liquid and gaseous, has been demonstrated to efficiently produce hydrogen from diesel, jet fuel, biodiesel, vegetable oil, glycerol, gasoline, propane, natural gas and methanol.


Seattle BioFuels claims to be the first company in the Pacific Northwest to open and operate a commercial scale (>5 mgy) biodiesel refinery certified by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM). Using proprietary technology, the company produces a diesel fuel alternative made from vegetable oil.

Biodiesel, made primarily from soybeans pictured here, and ethanol will be mandated in Washington state once a new bill is signed into law.


Bipartisan cooperation for a major new energy policy can be hard to come by, but not when both parties agree on calling for new energy independence strategies. In legislative session, Senate Bill 6508 calling for a minimum renewable energy standard passed the Washington State Senate and is off to the Governor for an expected signature into law.


Senate Bill 6508 mandates fuel dealers to sell 2 percent biodiesel out of their total diesel sales and 2 percent ethanol out of total gasoline sales. This new state biofuels standard makes Washington a leader among other states that are moving in the direction of supporting renewable energy. It also complements a similar Federal law called the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) that mandates the US reach 7.5 billion gallons of biofuel use by 2012.


These figures also act as a baseline as the law is designed to increase biofuel use as the state's capacity to grow and produce biofuels increases. The standards start at 2%, and ramp up to 5% for biodiesel and 10% for ethanol. State vehicles will use higher percentages of biodiesel. The state also has a huge potential to produce advanced biofuels, like ethanol from wheat straw, that can provide major reductions in fossil fuel use and global warming pollution in the future.


In addition to establishing market access for ethanol and biodiesel, and a variety of incentives for in-state fuel crops and production facilities, the RFS will open a new market for biofuels in Washington State, attract jobs, provide farm income and relieve concerns about oil prices and global warming, say supporters of the bill.


"This is truly a bill the entire state can be proud of. We're talking about new jobs, cleaner air, and more independence from oil," said 13th District Rep. Janea Holmquist, R-Moses Lake. "That's a win-win for all citizens of Washington." Rep. Holmquist is also a member of the House Economic Development, Agriculture and Trade Committee and sponsored a similar House Bill 2738. She has been recognized as a leading proponent of biofuels legislation in the state. Earlier calls from Governor Christine Gregoire helped to drive the legislative effort.


Scheduled to take effect in 2008, after an advisory group helps the Department of Agriculture develop rules for implementation, the RFS, which industry experts anticipate will attract substantial investment in growing biofuel feedstocks and producing the fuel, is said to be one of the first in the nation.


The Washington State Apollo Alliance of Washington made the renewable fuel standard a priority this year, and the Washington State Labor Council, Washington's environmental community, Washington Agriculture, Washington Farm Bureau all endorsed the measure.

By: Matt Goerzen
The Manitoba government has eliminated an 11.5 cent-per-litre tax on biodiesel fuel production in the province as part of its 2006 budget in an effort to fuel growth in the industry.


The tax break was announced yesterday by Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Rosann Wowchuk.


"This tax reduction will be beneficial to the industry, " Wowchuk said. "We're hopeful this will result in the creation of at least five or six new plants throughout Manitoba. "


Effective immediately, the province will stop collecting both the road tax and provincial sales tax on pure biodiesel that meets the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) fuel-quality standard.


This five-year tax break provides Manitoba's fledgling biodiesel industry with an 11.5 cent-per-litre advantage over regular diesel. That's in addition to the four-cent-per-litre tax break currently offered by the federal government.


The announcement follows the recent appointment of an independent biodiesel board that will provide recommendations to the government about the $1.5-million provincial industry support program.


"The board is open to hear proposals, " Wowchuk said.


Those proposals will have to include plans for the large amounts of glycerol that result from the production of biodiesel. Glycerol is a byproduct sold to cosmetics, food and pharmaceutical industries.


"Those are some of the things that come out as you move along. "


Barbara Isman, president of the Canola Council of Canada, praised the government for its involvement in the industry.


"I absolutely want to congratulate the Manitoba government on taking a leadership role, " Isman said. "It's absolutely important to create a positive atmosphere. "


While it could take at least a year before biodiesel production sparks an improvement in low canola and soy bean market prices, Isman remains highly optimistic.


"This is actual new demand in the millions of tons that is going to be there consistently. For a good long time we will see production trying to catch up to demand. "


However, she said a further 14.5 cent incentive would be required to make Canadian biodiesel competitive with the United States, which is further ahead in research and production.


"The U.S. has significant funding and incentive plans. In order for us to attract large scale investment, we need to be competitive with the US. "


Isman would also like to see a Canadian set of standards applied to the biodiesel industry, instead of deferring to ASTM standards south of the border.


Gavin Reynolds, co-owner of Rapid City's Celtic Power - one of only two pre-commercial production facilities in Manitoba - said the tax incentive is "significant ".


"It gives you a distinct advantage right off the bat, " Reynolds said. "It's helping us here today. Yesterday we didn't have that advantage. Today we do. Yes it's very positive. "


For the moment Celtic Power is producing biodiesel on a small scale, but once its new processor is completed, the company will be producing 1.5 million litres per year.


Reynolds said Manitoba biodiesel is attracting a lot of attention outside the province.


"The number of phone calls have increased dramatically in the last few months. I just had a conversation with someone in San Antonio. They like the way we're approaching biodiesel. "


The tax break will also benefit up and coming facilities in Westman, including the joint proposal put forward by the Southwest Fibre Co-op and the Souris-Glenwood Community Development Corp.


"It's certainly really good news, " said Southwest's chairman David Stead. "It makes our business plan look even better. "



I think it's great that alternative fuels are being treated better.