Hydrogen Made from Biodiesel Using Steam Reformer

[philb]

Hydrogen Made from Biodiesel Using Steam Reformer
March 22, 2006
Long Beach, California InnovaTek and Seattle BioFuels announce the first successful production of hydrogen from 100% biodiesel in a microchannel steam reformer. This is the first time a renewable fuel source has been used to produce hydrogen in a microchannel steam reformer to power emission-free fuel cells. InnovaTek's reforming system was initially developed to produce hydrogen from fossil fuels.
In addition to biodiesel, InnovaTek has also used its technology to produce hydrogen from glycerol (a byproduct of biodiesel production), and the raw soybean oil that is used to manufacture the biodiesel fuel. The use of glycerol as a source for hydrogen has the additional advantage of producing a valuable commodity from a byproduct of biodiesel production. This benefit contributes favorably to the economics of biodiesel as a fuel that is competitive with petroleum diesel fuel.

InnovaTek successfully demonstrated the ability to generate hydrogen from pure biodiesel (B100) produced at the Seattle Biodiesel production facility. One of the advantages of InnovaTek's technology is the use of micro- or millichannel geometries for the catalytic reactor and heat exchangers. Microchannel reactors offer some distinct advantages over conventional reactors (tubular or vessel), including inherent safety, compact size and high conversion rates. The microchannel reformer achieved a 100% conversion rate of the pure biodiesel (B100).

"The demonstration of the InnovaGen fuel processor with renewable liquid fuels further establishes the flexibility and value of InnovaTek's technology for sustainable power production," said Patricia Irving, CEO and founder of InnovaTek. "We are committed to the development and commercialization of innovative products that will reduce emissions and offer viable alternatives to petroleum."

InnovaTek's InnovaGen fuel processor, which can be used for a broad range of fuel choices, both liquid and gaseous, has been demonstrated to efficiently produce hydrogen from diesel, jet fuel, biodiesel, vegetable oil, glycerol, gasoline, propane, natural gas and methanol.

Seattle BioFuels claims to be the first company in the Pacific Northwest to open and operate a commercial scale (>5 mgy) biodiesel refinery certified by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM). Using proprietary technology, the company produces a diesel fuel alternative made from vegetable oil.

[philb]

1. Northwest Burger Chain Begins Biodiesel Production Plan from cooking oil

Northwest Burger Chain Begins Biodiesel Production Plan
March 22, 2006
Vancouver, Washington The Holland, Inc., announced that it has implemented a program in which it will recycle the cooking oil from its Burgerville restaurants into biodiesel, a cleaner burning blend of diesel fuel. All 39 Burgerville locations throughout the Pacific Northwest will have their used cooking oil picked up by Portland-based MRP Services and taken to a processing plant where the oil is transformed into methyl esters (biodiesel) and glycerin (a byproduct) through a process called transesterification
The Holland has a long-standing commitment of initiating programs that sustain the environment in which our restaurants are located," said Jack Graves, chief culture officer at The Holland. "By turning our used cooking oil into a fuel source that is less toxic to the environment, we are helping maintain the communities in which we live and work."

MRP Services, a family-owned plumbing and drain service company, will pick up the used cooking oil on a monthly basis, depending on the amount of oil that each Burgerville location uses.

"Burgerville was an obvious source for us to get cooking oil from," said Will Craig, commercial accounts manager, of MRP Services. "Our pump truck division, which picks up the oil, has become the largest division within MRP Services. With the amazing amount of growth within the biodiesel industry and a company like The Holland using their cooking oil for biodiesel, MRP expects that it won't be long before the cooking oil collection becomes a division on its own."

Biodiesel is currently the only fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. It is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel, is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as quickly as sugar.

The state of Washington has House bill 2664 in its Senate that would create a biofuel standard that includes biodiesel. When the bill comes into effect by December 1, 2008, it will require all diesels sold in the state to contain a minimum of 2 percent biodiesel.

[Javaman]

6. wow! so now there are two kinds of gas I can get at the burger stand!!

:rofl:

[Porcupine]

2. Dupe!!!

Looky looky here

Oh, and it's STILL a dumbass idea to turn a high power to weight/ratio ratio liquid to a gas that needs expensive fuel cells to provide a usable power output. The only possible new use for this that might be economical is that you could get hydrogen for chemical processes from glycerin.

And duping your own post is bad manners.

[Odin2005]

3. WTF? Why not just burn the biodiesel?

What a fucking waste of energy.

[NNadir]

4. Because it's cool.

If you say "biodiesel" and "hydrogen" in the same sentence, it makes you feel like you will always have a car to drive. It's a great way to do denial.

[phantom power]

8. No doubt. Talk about a pure stunt.

[JohnWxy]

5. NIce to read about an American firm involved in innovations that will

help usher in renewable energy technologies (hate to leave ALL the advancements, and future profits to the Japanese!).

The fuel source comes pretty cheap since it was already paid for and WAS being thrown out as waste. Converting waste to fuel, what a sensible idea.

[Javaman]

7. Ahh, but at what point will people begin to charge for that waste?

Now that will be an interesting time indeed.

"you want that trash bag full of lawn cuttings? 50 bucks!"

The price per barrel will be replaced by the price for bushel.

[JohnWxy]

9. But you will be able to get your lawn cut for FREE!

[Javaman]

10. Now that's an idea worth looking into! LOL

So what you are saying is: the guys who have the lawn care companies now, will be the power brokers of the future!

Frankly, I'm very comfortable with that thought. :)