elkhartjim Report post Posted September 9, 2019 This is an interesting topic. So we go from fossil diesel to biodiesel and now possibly to renewable diesel. https://www.chron.com/business/energy/article/Valero-Darling-planning-major-renewable-diesel-14424412.php Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted September 10, 2019 Do not think it will fly in our lifetime! Been all kinds of inventions over the past 50 years, most of them work, then you got to go thru the test process...Exxon, Shell & BP worked on BIO diesel at U of H for 7 years, gave it up as to costly in 2015. I wish them luck.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted September 10, 2019 There are some outher processes coming along to make crude oil and fuel stocks from waste. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_depolymerization This is an interesting read to. http://discovermagazine.com/2009/feb/29-anything-into-oil Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rayin Report post Posted September 12, 2019 Processing used cooking oil has been ongoing for at least 10 years. One man/full-timer on escapees hauls his own processing equipment along; collects used cooking oil from restaurants in a special tank on his class 8 truck, then processes it at a campsite. This became so popular restaurants began charging for their used oil instead of paying to have it hauled away. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fagnaml Report post Posted September 12, 2019 Let the "Refiner" in the group opine. Manufacturing Renewable Diesel from new / used vegetable oils or animal fats has been in place for over a decade at refineries owned by most major oil companies. This 2007 presentation from ConocoPhillips describes how vegetable oils and/or animal fats are "co-processed" with conventional diesel from crude oil to produce an outstanding quality, non-Biodiesel, product --> https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2014/03/f9/deer07_cornforth.pdf This co-processing is done in a refinery process unit know as a Hydrotreater which is decades old technology. Advancements in Hydrotreater catalyst technology now allows vegetable oils / animal fats to be process "neat" in a Hydrotreater type unit which is the business venture in the Valero press release. Most major oil companies are partnering with Renewable Diesel companies to build new renewable diesel "refineries" across the U.S. to meet EPA regulations for renewable fuels use. Those renewable diesel "refineries" will start operation during the next couple of years. The good news about Renewable Diesel is it is very similar to conventional diesel from crude oil with the exception that Renewable Diesel is more paraffinic (higher Cetane Rating , somewhat waxier) which is why major oil companies are investing in Renewable Diesel manufacturing. Biodiesel is an "ester" product which contains oxygen. Esters are good solvents which causes a lot of concern for pipelines and storage tanks (loosen metal scale). Because of the oxygen content in esters, they degrade, turn black, etc. Due to these reasons, major oil companies shy away from Biodiesel. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elkhartjim Report post Posted September 12, 2019 As long as my exhaust smells like french fries, I don't care. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted September 13, 2019 As long as the cost at the pump, don't exceed current cost, I don't care! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
