January 17th, 2012
By: SoundOffSister
We have told you about cellulosic ethanol before. Basically, it is any ethanol not made from corn, and, pursuant to a 2007 law, a certain amount of this stuff must be blended into our gasoline. The problem is that no one knows how to make it in any commercially viable operation, even though the federal government is heavily subsidizing its “production”.
For 2010 and 2011, you, the consumer paid $10 million in “fines” (via higher gas prices) because oil companies did not blend this non-existent material into the gasoline they produced. In spite of these facts, last week the EPA told oil companies that they must blend 8.65 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol into gasoline in 2012. The good news here is that but for the EPA’s waiver, Congress set the amount at 500 million gallons for 2012.
The [EPA] said [December 27] that a tiny fraction-less than one-tenth of 1%-of renewable fuels required to be used in the U.S. next year will come from cellulosic biofuel, based on projected production volumes, despite a congressional target that fuel made from plant stalks and other inedible materials account for more than 3% of the total.
The bad news is that, absent a technological miracle, you will once again, be forced to pay a penalty because companies fail to blend this into gasoline. This year, the penalty will be $1.20 per gallon for each of the mandated 8.65 million gallons of non-existent material. Last year it was only $1.13 per gallon…inflation?
Looking forward, under the law, by 2022, 16 billion gallons will need to be blended into our gasoline. How attainable is that? Here is what the National Academy of Sciences had to say last year.
[the target won't be met] unless innovative technologies are developed that unexpectedly improve the cellulosic biofuels process.
Given this, wouldn’t you think that the EPA would just suspend the fines until someone actually makes this junk? Silly me, that would be reasonable, and this, after all, is the EPA.
Tags: cellulosic ethanol, clean technologies, corporate sustainability, eco-friendly, EPA, full-cycle products, gasoline, Sustainability, technologies
Posted in Alternative Fuel Technologies Group, Alternative fuels, Bio-Diesel, Chemistry, Company Information, EPA, Sustainability
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September 25th, 2010
The prospect of new regulations from the California Department of Toxic Substance Control has re-kindled concerns among consumer goods manufacturers, chemical companies and other businesses, as the January 1, 2011 deadline for implementation approaches.
As discussed in a prior blog post, this is not an issue of simply local concern. Laws and regulation in California that address environmental and safety issues often are precursors to similar legislation in states across the nation.
According to a recent article in the North Bay Business Journal, some believe the language of the initial law is so loosely worded that virtually any consumer product would be subject to review in the Green Chemistry Program. In addition, manufacturers of industrial products that use chemicals deemed toxic will be required to seek “safer alternatives.”
As the deadline nears, this issue will heat up further, so look for updates here.
Tags: environmental, government regulation, Green Chemistry, Sustainability, Toxic substances
Posted in Air and water, Alternative Fuel Technologies Group, Biofuels, California, Chemistry, Eco-nomics, Eco-regulation, Flame Retardants, Government, Green Chemistry, Recycling, Sustainability
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June 15th, 2010
Albemarle Corporation, a leader in providing innovative and sustainable chemistry solutions to its customers and communities, partners with LSU students to become a key sponsor of LSU mechanical and biological engineering students’ 2010 senior project, the biodiesel Tiger Truck.
LSU Tiger Truck Senior Project Team
The Tiger Truck is on a mission to demonstrate the process of creating biodiesel from Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO) and how to utilize alternative fuels to operate an entire mobile platform. The Tiger Truck team redesigned a fire truck to function as a mobile chemical plant, converting leftover cooking oil from food prepared on the truck to diesel-electric power that propels the vehicle. In addition to providing entertainment through food and refreshments, the team demonstrates the conversion process to children and adults by incorporating step-by-step visuals and hands-on mechanisms for display.
Albemarle’s Alternative Fuel Technologies (AFT) group is focused on the development and commercialization of new breakthrough catalysts and technologies for the conversion of biomass into clean, sustainable transportation fuels. ”This project fits very well with our objectives as a Corporation,” said Edgar Steenwinkel, Global Business Director AFT. “Working together with a group of motivated students and helping them with the design, construction and safe operation of their project is very rewarding,” added Hardin Wells, Senior Advisor of the Mechanical Tech Service Group at Albemarle.
The Tiger Truck Team proudly concludes: “Our main objective is to not only improve the environment we live in, but also to share the knowledge by educating the public of a cleaner and safer method to obtain energy.”
Because of the Tiger Truck’s mobility, the team plans to showcase the truck at fairs and school events to further its exposure in the community of the Baton Rouge metropolitan area.
About Tiger Truck
The Tiger Truck project is part of LSU’s Capstone Design process, which is divided into two major categories: Bio-Diesel Process and Engine Dynamics, The team is composed of Mechanical and Biological Engineers. Each engineering discipline was assigned an advisor for this senior project. Advisor Dr. Michael Murphy is a Mechanical Engineering Professor at LSU and also the head professor for the 2009-2010 senior Capstone Design course. His knowledge involving machine design, instrumentation and controls is perfect for the team. Advisor, Dr. Dorin Boldor, is the Biological Engineering Senior Design Advisor, specializing in the fields of microwave heating, bio-processing and bio-energy.
About Albemarle
Albemarle Corporation, headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a leading global developer, manufacturer, and marketer of highly-engineered specialty chemicals for consumer electronics, petroleum refining, utilities, packaging, construction, automotive/transportation, pharmaceuticals, crop protection, food-safety and custom chemistry services. The Company is committed to global sustainability and is advancing its eco-practices and solutions in its three business segments, Polymer Solutions, Catalysts and Fine Chemicals. Corporate Responsibility Magazine recently selected Albemarle to its prestigious “100 Best Corporate Citizens” list for 2010. Albemarle employs approximately 4,000 people and serves customers in approximately 100 countries.
Tags: Alternative Fuel Technologies Group, Alternative fuels, ATF, Bio-Diesel Process, bio-energy, bio-processing, biodiesel, Biological Engineers, Capstone Design, cooking oil, Engine Dynamics, fire truck, Louisiana State University, LSU, mobile chemical plant, Sustainable transportation fuels, Tiger Truck, Waste Vegetable Oil, WVO
Posted in Alternative Fuel Technologies Group, Alternative fuels, Bio-Diesel, Biofuels, Chemistry, Sustainability, Sustainable transportation fuels
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