In addition to its terminal operations, Vecenergy’s interests include advanced biofuels feedstock research and development, and biodiesel production technology and consulting.
Jatropha Oil As A Renewable and Sustainable Feedstock for Biodiesel and Bio Jet Fuel Production
Vecenergy is powering the development of a superior strain of Jatropha, a renewable and sustainable plant oil source for producing environmentally friendly biodiesel and bio jet fuel.
Vecenergy has an exclusive commercial partnership with the nation’s most advanced academic Jatropha research and development program, located at the University of Florida’s Tropical Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, in Homestead, Florida. Research conducted with the cooperation of NASA has included micro-gravity experiments aboard the International Space Station to speed up the plant’s development versus more conventional horticultural methods.
Here is a quick look at the many benefits of Jatropha:
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Unlike other biofuels that take away needed crops or farm lands from the world’s vital food supply, Jatropha is not a food crop.
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Jatropha will grow on land that is not suitable for food crops.
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Jatropha-produced biofuels are not derived from petroleum, so they reduce dependency on foreign oil.
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Jatropha-produced biofuels burn very cleanly, drastically reducing carbon emissions.
Learn more about Vecenergy/UF’s biofuel development program by clicking here or by visiting www.JatrophaEnergyPlant.com.
Biodiesel Basics
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Biodiesel is a renewable alternative fuel made entirely from vegetable oils or animal fats.
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Biodiesel can be used as either a full-strength alternative fuel or blended into petroleum-based diesel.
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Biodiesel burns cleanly, reducing harmful emissions into the Earth’s atmosphere.
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It also improves engine lubricity for better performance and longer engine life.
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Biodiesel reduces dependence on nonrenewable fossil fuels.
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Biodiesel is well-established in Europe and quickly gaining a foothold in the United States and the rest of the world.
Technology That Allows Multiple Feedstocks, Simultaneously
Vecenergy also has interests in advanced biodiesel production technology, which is already in use and proven commercially. This technology is able to use of a variety of feedstocks simultaneously, while other production methods are limited to one type of feedstock at a time.
The benefit is the ability to use whatever feedstocks are most economically available under prevailing market conditions:
■ Jatropha
■ Soybean Oil
■ Rapeseed Oil
■ Palm Oil
■ Used Vegetable Oil
■ Animal Fats
■ Or Others
Continuous Output
Another advantage to this process is continuous production, which is faster, more consistent and less expensive to operate than batch-process facilities. This technology provides consistent, high-quality, high-volume biodiesel output that meets the industry’s strictest specifications:
■ Meets or exceeds EU and US specifications
■ Utilizes the most economical and available feedstocks
■ Reduces requirements for capital and plant size when scaling up production capacity
■ Minimum-sized footprint for production facility
■ Operates continuously without the need to shut down, clean, or prepare equipment for changes in feedstock
The result is a breakthrough in biodiesel production efficiency.
Advanced engineering and quality control measures ensure that every gallon of biodiesel produced and distributed is of consistent high quality.
This process efficiently produces biodiesel that meets or exceeds all U.S. and European specifications.