Nov 25 2010
The National Alliance for Biofuels and Bioproducts (NAABB), association of engineers and scientists from leading universities, national laboratories and private industry, declared that they have achieved a notable benchmark by productively deriving biodiesel, utilizing oil distilled from algae.
The derived biodiesel conforms to the stipulations fixed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), an agency that introduces international standards for services, systems and products, utilized in transportation, production and construction.
Eldorado Biofuel, one among the 13 industry members of the association, offered the required algae oil while Catilin, another company of the group, converted the algae oil into biodiesel utilizing a T300 solid catalyst produced by it. The use of T300 in place of conventionally utilized sodium hydroxide enabled the researchers to produce premium type of algae based biofuel that conforms to the set ASTM stipulations. During the production of biofuel the researchers were also able to derive highly purified glycerin as byproduct which is predominantly utilized in pharmaceutical and food industries. The produced algae based biofuel will be distributed to the members of the association for further research and review to evaluate the engine discharges.
Jose Olivares, NAABB’s Executive Director, said that the results of the research indicate the quality interaction between the members of the association and the resultant success. He added the results evidences the commitment of the members in developing the product.