Jan 24 2011
Scientists have been researching for a long time as to how to produce biofuel from sources other than soybean, the process of which was fraught with drawbacks.
Tyson Foods, a food-processing giant, has collaborated with Syntroleum, a research group focusing on synthetic fuels, in October 2010 for exploring the prospect of altering inedible, low-grade animal fat into renewable diesel, which could be blended with petroleum-based diesel and biodiesel. This would be utilized for transportation. Currently, the partnership is producing 105,000 gallons of fuel on a daily basis.
Normally, biodiesel is produced from soybeans by an expensive process and they give out emissions of air borne carcinogens. These carcinogens when burned are likely to diminish food resources and degrade jet fuels. However, renewable biodiesel is produced from beef tallow and other animal fats by hydrogenating them and making them chemically resemble regular diesel. This product when compared to the soybeans diesel emits fewer green house gases (58%-80%).
Syntroleum with a rich experience of over two decades has the capacity to produce synthetic fuels from different feedstocks such as fats, natural gas, greases and oils.