NAABB produces ASTM in-spec biodiesel from algae

November 18, 2010 |

The National Alliance for Biofuels and Bioproducts (NAABB), a consortium of leading scientists and engineers from universities, private industry, and national laboratories announced today that they have met a significant benchmark by successfully producing biodiesel using oil extracted from algae that meets specifications set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).  ASTM develops international standards for materials, products, systems and services used in construction, manufacturing and transportation.

Eldorado Biofuels , one of 13 industry members of the NAABB consortium, provided the algal oil while Catilin, Inc. converted the oil to biodiesel using the company’s commercially available T300 solid catalyst.  Conventional conversion methods use highly caustic materials such as sodium hydroxide.  Using Catilin’s method, researchers verified that they could produce high-quality algal based biofuel that meets ASTM standards more efficiently and economically while producing highly purified glycerin, a valuable byproduct which can be used by the food and pharmaceutical industry.

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Category: Research

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