Ultra-Efficient Green Diesel to be Produced from Natural Oils and Animal Fats

UOP LLC, a subsidiary of Honeywell, are involved in developing the technology necessary for the refining, petrochemical, gas processing, and hydrogen industries, and are particularly focussed on developing technology to convert natural oils and plant biofuels into usable fuels. They have just recently signed an agreement to license its Honeywell Green Diesel to Emerald Biofuels LLC. Emerald produce transportation fuels, but specialise in constructing renewable diesel refineries.

Emerald will build a facility in Louisiana which will use non-edible, second generation oils and animal fats to produce about 85 million gallons of green diesel per year using UOP/Eni Ecofining technology.

The technology which was jointly developed by UOP and Eni SpA can create a biofuel which has far higher performance levels than other biofuels or petroleum-based diesels. It has a cetane value (A measure of the combustion quality; the higher the value, the more efficient the combustion.) of 80 compared with the normal 40-60 of petroleum diesel.

The biofuel contains an excellent energy density, works well in both cold and warm temperatures, and reduces carbon emissions by 80 percent compared to petroleum-based diesel.

Honeywell’s Green Diesel is considered a drop-in replacement for traditional diesel, being chemically identical to petroleum-based diesels. This means that it can be added in any proportion to existing fuel tanks without any need for modification.

By. Joao Peixe of Oilprice.com