Texas A&M group develops biodiesel micro-reactor, reduces cycle time, investment cost up to 80 percent,

In Texas, researchers at Texas A&M have adapted a process used in West Virginia to turn the state’s lignite reserves into crude oil. The researchers say that the micro-reactors they have developed also can reduce the time needed to produce biodiesel by at least 80 percent, costs a fraction of the outlay required for existing biodiesel plants, and uses machinery that it no larger than a suitcase. The researchers said that they could produce heavy crude oil at $30 per barrel.

Texas A&M background

Texas A&M continues to be a hot point for biofuels R&D. Researchers from the university have concluded that eliminating the Renewable Fuel Standard “does not result in significantly lower corn prices,” and that “The underlying force driving changes in the agricultural industry, along with the economy as a whole, is overall higher energy costs, evidenced by $100 per barrel oil.”

The report said that, in addition, speculative investment in the commodities futures markets were leading to price volatility, and “the loss of the ability to use futures markets for price risk management due to the inability to finance margin requirements.” Commenting on the report, National Corn Growers Association president Ron Litterer said “The Texas A&M study dispels the food vs. fuel debate. This study shows there are many forces creating increases in food costs and ethanol is not a major factor.”

Also, the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (ETF) awarded $4 million in February to Texas A&M’s Texas AgriLife Research unit, and General Atomics, for research into algae based biofuels to support domestic and military fuel needs. The project will include the development of algae strains and methods for algae production.

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