Biomass-to-liquids synthetic SunDiesel to launch in Europe this year
A new synthetic diesel fuel produced using a Fischer-Tropsch process based biomass-to-liquids (BTL) technology, and developed by Shell and Choren Industries, will be launched in Europe later this year. Utilising waste plant material like wood chips and straw instead of food crops like soybean and rapeseed, 15,000 tonnes per year of the SunDiesel fuel will be produced at a pilot plant in eastern Germany. A much larger 200,000 tonnes per year BTL plant is to begin construction next year to quickly ramp up supply.
According to Choren, SunDiesel;
- has a high cetane number and therefore much better ignition performance than conventional diesel fuel,
- has no aromatics or sulfur and significantly reduces pollutants from exhaust emissions,
- can be used without any adjustment to existing infrastructure or engine systems,
- is largely CO2-neutral.
Analysis: Shell is already the world's biggest biofuel distributor and appears to be moving aggressively to retain their crown. BTL is a very exciting technology and will play a huge role over the next twenty years once the price comes down enough to compete with petroleum fuels.
Related:
- Africa to become the world's biodiesel supplier?
- Editorial: Analyzing President Bush's short speech on electric cars and cellulosic ethanol
- Effective cellulosic ethanol processes would help prevent forest fires
[Source: The Australian]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mike 5:27AM (10/17/2008)
Really interesting article. Thanx. If you are interested in wood pellets please check out this site - http://ecoenergogroup.com.
Ecoenergogroup launched its new production line to offer you high <a herf="http://ecoenergogroup.com" >quality wood pellets</a >.
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Tormod Henne 5:33PM (3/04/2007)
Check this cool animation in the right margin:
http://www.choren.com/en/biomass_to_energy/carbo-v_technology/
Explains a lot about the process.
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TDIMeister 6:54PM (3/04/2007)
Very nice, I look forward to soon being able to fuel-up with at least a SunDiesel blend at a local station. I'm aware of at least two B100 Biodiesel stations in Aachen, Germany where I live; priced at around 1.039 EUR per liter and steady vs. about 1.139 EUR for Diesel. F-T-blended Shell V-Power Diesel sells for a consistent 5 Euro cents per liter more than regular Diesel.
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Dugal Harcourt 4:15PM (10/31/2007)
I am from NZ & have invented an internal combustion engine the is simple, produces a minimum power output of 30-40% more HP and some 15 times more tourque outputs.Has been tested and has proven power outputs. Is able to be converted into a Hydraulic motor
Ideal for all forms of Land sea and air transport + mining, agriculture and industery. Has the abilits to convert Bio Gas into Electricity efficiently. Is pantents for Canada-China-Korea-Mexico-USA-NZ- others pending: Regards Dugal Harcourt (inventor)
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