Biodiesel remains the only advanced biofuel in commercial production across the country. EPA estimates that biomass-based diesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50% when compared with petroleum diesel. Biodiesel producers lobbied the Obama Administration to raise the target for next year to continue growth in the industry, which in 2011 produced a record 1.1 billion gal of the renewable fuel made mostly from soybean oil but also from recycled cooking oil and animal fats. “This was an incredibly important decision, and the Obama Administration got it right,” says Joe Jobe, chief executive officer of the National Biodiesel Board, the industry’s trade association. “It will allow biodiesel plants across the country to invest and expand, creating thousands of jobs,” he says.
by Glenn Hess | November 19, 2012
—Newscripts “” I was kidding when I suggested in my Dec. 10 column that human adipose tissue might be converted into biodiesel fuel. But as it turns out, that has already been done. Shane Graber of Archbold, Ohio, tipped me off to a story about Pete Bethune, a former oil exploration engineer in New Zealand who plans to circumnavigate the globe in 65 days in a specially built, $3 million trimaran fueled entirely by biodiesel.
by Science Friction with Bob Wolke | February 04, 2008
—Biobased Lactic Acid Gets A Tad Greener “Chemical engineers develop a process to take waste glycerol from biodiesel production and make the key chemical intermediate” Producing diesel fuel from vegetable oil has been a boon to the transportation fuel industry. A drawback is that glycerol is left over after the conversion of triglycerides in the oil to the fatty acid methyl esters that make up the fuel.
by Stephen K. Ritter | January 05, 2015
Biodiesel has to be kept separate until it is blended further downstream. Steve Howell, technical director of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), counters that various biodiesel blends meet ASTM International standards recognized by automakers. He also notes that there haven't been enough comparisons of biodiesel and renewable diesel to draw conclusions regarding emissions.
by Alexander H. Tullo | November 10, 2008
—NMR puzzle pieces: A teaching tool, Chameleon clothing, Bitsy biodiesel device “” NMR puzzle pieces: A teaching tool Chameleon clothing Bitsy biodiesel device NMR puzzle pieces: A teaching tool Interpreting Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy is a proverbial puzzle, but now students can handle puzzlelike pieces.
by Rachel Petkewich | May 01, 2006
The Biocapital plant, which has been producing biodiesel for only a few months, was converted from an existing facility that produced essential oils. Retrofitting chemical plants to make biodiesel is becoming a common practice worldwide (C&EN, Feb. 12, page 53). Biocapital uses beef tallow as the starting material, as currently it's the least expensive source of triglycerides for making biodiesel.
by Stephen K. Ritter | June 25, 2007
—Students Make Biodiesel, Padwa’s Mobile Creations “” This fall, James Pickett, an adjunct chemistry professor at Blackburn College, in Carlinville, Ill., will be putting his chemistry students to work producing biodiesel that the school can use to power small machinery, such as tractors and lawn mowers.
July 18, 2011
—MAKING OLEFINS FROM SOYBEANS “Catalytic method converts soy-based biodiesel to valuable chemicals” GREEN CHEMISTRY Vegetable gardens may seem like unlikely places to look for olefins. But according to a new study, the leafy patch in the backyard may be an ideal spot to collect renewable feed materials.
by Mitch Jacoby | January 03, 2005
C&EN: LATEST NEWS - MAKING OLEFINS FROM SOYBEANS January 3, 2005 Volume 83, Number 01 p. 10 GREEN CHEMISTRY MAKING OLEFINS FROM SOYBEANS Catalytic method converts soy-based biodiesel to valuable chemicals MITCH JACOBY Vegetable gardens may seem like unlikely places to look for olefins.
by MITCH JACOBY | January 03, 2005