R3 Fusion Delivers First Ethanol Recovery System

R3 Fusion, Inc. has delivered its first commercial system for recovering ethanol from waste scrubber water – the SPaCeR. Utilizing principles of process intensification, this state-of- the art system is designed to process fifty gallons per minute of scrubber water generated from a 50 MM Gallon Per Annum ethanol plant. The modular system will be fully operational in April 2011. R3 Fusion has already begun discussions with other ethanol plant operators for implementation of this technology.

According to Dr. Roshan Jachuck, the inventor of the SPaCeR technology and CTO of R3 Fusion, “We estimate that over $400 million of ethanol can be recovered each year from the waste water in US ethanol facilities alone. The unique engineering and process technology incorporated in our systems provides, to our knowledge, the most economical, energy efficient means available to capture that critical element of our national energy equation.”

Herb Goodman, a veteran executive of the international oil and gas industry, commented: “R3 Fusion has an important and timely solution to what most knowledgeable people understand will almost certainly be the greatest problem the world is beginning to face".

The patent-pending SPaCeR technology was developed to address the increasing challenge in fresh water supply. With less than one percent of the planet’s water available as fresh water for human use, the need to reuse, recycle, and remediate contaminated and waste water streams is becoming critical. Furthermore, identifying new approaches to reliable, energy-efficient desalination of seawater and brackish water has become a focus of numerous organizations around the globe.

“We are very excited about the launch of our SPaCeR technology and the enormous implications we believe it will have on global water supplies” said Keith Blakely, R3 Fusion’s CEO. “The interconnectedness of our water, energy, and environmental challenges is well-established and a system like ours that addresses all three simultaneously is, we believe, of great importance to the future of our planet.”

Cargill Acquires Fort Dodge Ethanol Plant from Tate & Lyle

Cargill announced today that it has purchased Tate & Lyle's corn wet mill ethanol plant in Fort Dodge, Iowa.  

"We believe that a highly efficient, well-located corn wet mill ethanol plant fits well into our bio-product portfolio," said Alan Willits, president of Cargill Corn Milling North America. "We see an opportunity in Fort Dodge to replicate the success we have had at our Blair, Neb., and Eddyville, Iowa, bio-refinery campuses."  

The Fort Dodge asset is a corn wet mill ethanol facility.  The existing facility has the ability to grind 150,000 bushels of corn per day and produce 115 million gallons of ethanol per year.

"This investment demonstrates Cargill's continued commitment to Iowa agriculture," said Governor Terry Branstad. "The Fort Dodge facility will create over 100 jobs in Webster county and help provide an alternative market for local producers."

Willits adds, "The corn wet mill ethanol plant will provide the base load corn grind for the campus, and we hope to support additional business growth in the coming years. When completed, Fort Dodge will be a world class bio-refinery campus that will produce ethanol and other bio-based products. We will achieve energy and operational efficiency while respecting the environment and natural resources, as we have in Blair and Eddyville."

Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services.  Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 131,000 people in 66 countries.  Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to applying its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business.

January 2011 Ethanol Production Increases

January ethanol production increased slightly to 920,000 barrels per day up from 918,000 barrels per day in December but still below the high of 925,000 barrels per day set in November. Total production also saw in increase to 1,198,008,000 gallons, up from 1,195,194,000 gallons in December.

Ethanol imports remained at a low level with just 210,000 gallons imported in January, down from 252,000 gallons in December.

Source : Energy Information Administration

Oregon’s Diesel To Contain 5 Percent Biodiesel

Oregon is about to become the second state to require that most of the diesel sold there contain at least 5 percent biodiesel (B5). The National Biodiesel Board applauded the state on its progressive upgrade.

“Policymakers in Oregon should be congratulated for displaying national leadership on clean energy issues,” said Shelby Neal, NBB regulatory affairs director. “As a result of the biodiesel policy, Oregon's citizens will enjoy cleaner air, green jobs, and a higher level of energy independence.”

The state has already had a 2 percent biodiesel (B2) requirement in effect. Oregon's B5 requirement was scheduled to be triggered when the in-state production capacity reached 15 million gallons annually, which the biodiesel plants recently accomplished. The requirement will generate about 25 million gallons of biodiesel demand annually.

The new statewide requirement takes effect April 1, but the City of Portland has required B5 since July 2007.

“Increasing the use of domestically produced, low carbon fuels like biodiesel is a win-win for Oregon,” said Rick Wallace, a senior policy analyst at the Oregon Department of Energy, and the Clean Cities Coordinator of the Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities Coalition. “We’re supporting the local economy while reducing pollution, rather than relying entirely on fossil fuels to power our state.”

Minnesota was the first state to pass a B2 biodiesel requirement, which has since increased to B5. The state’s required volume of biodiesel is scheduled to rise to B10 by 2012, and B20 by 2015.

Washington and Pennsylvania both have a B2 requirement in effect. Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts and New Mexico have all passed similar legislation that hasn’t yet taken effect.

Biodiesel is an advanced biofuel made from readily available, renewable resources. It is a domestic, sustainable, cleaner-burning diesel fuel replacement that meets strict quality specifications.

December 2010 Biodiesel Production Increases

Biodiesel production in December increased to 17 million gallons, up from 16 million gallons in November. Biodiesel consumption was also higher at 15 million gallons, up from 14 million gallons in November.

Source : EIA Biodiesel Overview