In Illinois, Archer Daniels Midland Company reported a $128M drop in operating profits for Q2 2016 compared to Q2 2015, the fifth consecutive quarter of decline for the agro-giant. “After a challenging start to the year, general market conditions began to turn at the end of the second quarter, providing us with improved opportunities for […]
In Wisconsin, American Science and Technology has been awarded a patent for a system and method for the extraction of chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass. AST’s Organosolv process fractionates lignocellulosic biomass to produce pure lignin, biochemicals, and high quality pulp. The patented process delignifies the lignocellulosic biomass by dissolving lignin into organic solvent, converting most of […]
In Illinois, Envergent Technologies, a joint venture of Honeywell UOP and Ensyn, has begun construction on a renewable fuels facility in Port Cartier, Quebec. When the facility in Port Cartier, Quebec, is completed late next year, it will convert 65,000 dry metric tons per year of forest residues to approximately 10 million gallons — or […]
According to EIA data as analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association, US ethanol production averaged 1.004 million barrels per day—or 42.17 million gallons daily. That is up 6,000 b/d from the week before. The four-week average for ethanol production stood at 1.009 million b/d—a new four-week record—for an annualized rate of 15.47 billion gallons. Stocks […]
In Washington, the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge, Argonne, and National Renewable Energy Laboratories released their “Summary of High Octane, Mid-Level Ethanol Blends Study.” This scientific analysis showed the numerous benefits of using high octane mid-level ethanol blends in future optimized engines. Some of these benefits include: increased vehicle efficiency, increased acceleration, and significant reductions […]
In California, a Navy ship has successfully operated on a 100 percent drop-in renewable diesel fuel. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division’s Self Defense Test Ship completed final-phase testing of a 100% drop-in renewable diesel fuel as part of the Navy’s MILSPEC qualification program. ReadiDiesel was developed by Applied Research Associates and Chevron Lummus […]
In California, the Union of Concerned Scientists advises that “legislative leadership and Gov. Jerry Brown have been sending mixed signals on whether they will consider SB 32”, a bill to require lowering climate pollution to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, during this legislative session. The governor’s announcement of a possible ballot initiative to […]
In Washington, the US Department of Energy announced up to $11.3 million for three projects that support the development of biomass-to-hydrocarbon biofuels conversion pathways that, as the DOE remarked, “can produce variable amounts of fuels and/or products based on external factors, such as market demand.” That’s DOE code for — “it’s OK to produce chemicals […]
By Brent Erickson Executive Vice President, Biotechnology Innovation Organization; head, Industrial & Environmental Section Special to The Digest Members of Congress just returned to their home states and districts for the August recess to meet with constituents and campaign for the upcoming elections. You can be sure the oil producers will be seeking meetings with […]
Although they will not know it, when the world finally moves off petroleum completely, we may have the ants to thank. Formica, as ants were known by the Romans (yes, formica, but not the flooring material) — when squashed, emit a characteristic odor and that’s formic acid. That we know so much about it is thanks to […]
