Author Archive: Jim Lane

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The Summer of Innovation: How to get bacon out of spent coffee grounds, and other topics

The Summer of Innovation: How to get bacon out of spent coffee grounds, and other topics

August 8, 2016 |

I think it might have been a Kennedy who remarked one time: Some people see used coffee grounds and say, yecch. Other people dream of bacon flavoring and say, why not? If you’ve wondered ever how to take some of the most unloved forms of food waste — old coffee grounds, spent grape pomace (the stems, […]

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Green Plains reports record ethanol production in Q2 2016

Green Plains reports record ethanol production in Q2 2016

August 7, 2016 |

In Nebraska, Green Plains said that it recorded income of $8.2M for Q2 2016, compared with net income of $7.8M for Q2 2015. Revenues were $887.7M for the second quarter of 2016 compared with $744.5M for the same period last year. For Q2, Green Plains produced 274.3 million gallons of ethanol compared with 238.7 million […]

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ADM says “Market conditions began to turn in the quarter” in announcing “challenging” Q2 results

ADM says “Market conditions began to turn in the quarter” in announcing “challenging” Q2 results

August 7, 2016 |

In Illinois, Archer Daniels Midland Company reported a $128M drop in operating profits for Q2 2016 compared to Q2 2015, the fifth consecutive quarter of decline for the agro-giant. “After a challenging start to the year, general market conditions began to turn at the end of the second quarter, providing us with improved opportunities for […]

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American Science and Technology wins new patent for cellulosic biomass processing

American Science and Technology wins new patent for cellulosic biomass processing

August 7, 2016 |

In Wisconsin, American Science and Technology has been awarded a patent for a system and method for the extraction of chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass. AST’s Organosolv process fractionates lignocellulosic biomass to produce pure lignin, biochemicals, and high quality pulp. The patented process delignifies the lignocellulosic biomass by dissolving lignin into organic solvent, converting most of […]

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Envergent starts construction at new renewable fuels facility in Quebec

Envergent starts construction at new renewable fuels facility in Quebec

August 7, 2016 |

In Illinois, Envergent Technologies, a joint venture of Honeywell UOP and Ensyn, has begun construction on a renewable fuels facility in Port Cartier, Quebec. When the facility in Port Cartier, Quebec, is completed late next year, it will convert 65,000 dry metric tons per year of forest residues to approximately 10 million gallons — or […]

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US ethanol production hits new 4-week record

US ethanol production hits new 4-week record

August 7, 2016 |

According to EIA data as analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association, US ethanol production averaged 1.004 million barrels per day—or 42.17 million gallons daily. That is up 6,000 b/d from the week before. The four-week average for ethanol production stood at 1.009 million b/d—a new four-week record—for an annualized rate of 15.47 billion gallons. Stocks […]

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“High octane fuels could offer significant benefits for the US”: New report

“High octane fuels could offer significant benefits for the US”: New report

August 7, 2016 |

In Washington, the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge, Argonne, and National Renewable Energy Laboratories released their “Summary of High Octane, Mid-Level Ethanol Blends Study.” This scientific analysis showed the numerous benefits of using high octane mid-level ethanol blends in future optimized engines.  Some of these benefits include: increased vehicle efficiency, increased acceleration, and significant reductions […]

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100% renewable military fuels completes California at-sea trial 

100% renewable military fuels completes California at-sea trial 

August 7, 2016 |

In California, a Navy ship has successfully operated on a 100 percent drop-in renewable diesel fuel. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division’s Self Defense Test Ship completed final-phase testing of a 100% drop-in renewable diesel fuel as part of the Navy’s MILSPEC qualification program.  ReadiDiesel was developed by Applied Research Associates and Chevron Lummus […]

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California Legislature and Governor Should Pass SB 32 This Year, says Union of Concerned Scientists

California Legislature and Governor Should Pass SB 32 This Year, says Union of Concerned Scientists

August 7, 2016 |

In California, the Union of Concerned Scientists advises that “legislative leadership and Gov. Jerry Brown have been sending mixed signals on whether they will consider SB 32”, a bill to require lowering climate pollution to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, during this legislative session. The governor’s announcement of a possible ballot initiative to […]

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MEGA-BIO and the Three Amigos: DOE hands out $11.3M — who for, and whyfor?

MEGA-BIO and the Three Amigos: DOE hands out $11.3M — who for, and whyfor?

August 7, 2016 |

In Washington, the US Department of Energy announced up to $11.3 million for three projects that support the development of biomass-to-hydrocarbon biofuels conversion pathways that, as the DOE remarked, “can produce variable amounts of fuels and/or products based on external factors, such as market demand.” That’s DOE code for — “it’s OK to produce chemicals […]

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