Posted on 03/10/2008 5:42:02 AM PDT by Red Badger
At a joint press conference held this morning in Science Hall 302, Augsburg College and SarTec Corporation officially announced the discovery of a chemical process that could free the United States from its dependence on petroleum diesel fuel. This revolutionary method to make biodiesel started with the curiosity of Augsburg chemistry senior Brian Krohn and ended with three Twin Cities scientists creating the "Mcgyan Process."
Brian initiated his summer research project by deciding to study new ways to produce biodiesel. After Brian's preliminary research, his professor advised him to contact chemist Dr. Clayton McNeff, an Augsburg alumnus and vice president of SarTec. McNeff, his chief scientist Dr. Ben Yan, and Augsburg's Professor Arlin Gyberg took Brian's idea and created a chemical reaction that has never before been described in scientific literature. As a result of the Mcgyan Process discovery, McNeff co-founded Ever Cat Fuels based in Anoka. It is the only plant in the world using this new method to manufacture biodiesel.
Industry analysts have been surprised by how well the Mcgyan Process works and its implications for fuel production worldwide. This process has many advantages over previous biodiesel production methods. It can convert a much wider range of feedstock oils and animal fats into biodiesel, including the byproducts from ethanol production. The Mcgyan Process recycles the catalyst and alcohol necessary to make biodiesel, it reduces the reaction time from hours to seconds, and it doesn't use water or dangerous chemicals. In short, it can make more biodiesel quickly and with a minimal impact on the environment.
Because the Mcgyan Process can use a wider range of renewable oils, it has opened the door to a truly Earth-changing possibility. Algae that capture carbon dioxide can be a source of Mcgyan feedstock oil. The use of algae oil simultaneously reduces the demand on arable land for fuel purposes and scrubs the atmosphere of a greenhouse gas. SarTec has conducted research into using algae oils to supply the Mcgyan Process. The corporation is working on the use of algae to reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants while creating a biodiesel feedstock.
Picture of media interviewing Brian Krohn and Professor Gyberg.A patent is now pending on the Mcgyan Process which is named for the three scientists officially credited with the discovery (McNeff, Gyberg, and Yan). Ever Cat Fuels Corporation is currently producing 50,000 gallons of biodiesel per year and is using it as a power source. Its production capacity will increase to 3 million gallons per year when its new plant begins operation in Isanti later this year. Then, Ever Cat Fuels hopes to sell the technology and equipment to nations around the world.
All of these remarkable discoveries started with Brian's experiential learning at Augsburg, which is a fundamental part of the college's learning environment. His research will lead Brian to a promising future in science and create opportunities for Augsburg students for years to come. "This one-on-one relationship between professor and student may result in one of modern day's greatest discoveries," says Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow. "Augsburg is proud to be in the forefront and grateful that it may lead to a source of on-going funding that will enable us to take our science program to great heights."
Sorry, ethanol IS a joke and the world is waking up to it. The problem we now have is a typical; the world rushed into it before knowing what it was getting. Comparative to signing a contract without reading the fine print.
Now we pay.
That is against the law...........;^)
A little bit more detail here (I think - not at all savvy to chemistry) ... http://www.sartec.com/mcgyan.html
Arrrgghhh.
United States Patent Application 20080051592
Kind Code A1
McNeff; Clayton V. ; et al. February 28, 2008
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METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ALKYL ESTERS FROM LIPID FEED STOCKS AND SYSTEMS INCLUDING SAME
Abstract
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for producing alkyl esters from lipid feed stocks, such as plant oils and/or animal fats, and systems including the same.
In an embodiment, the invention includes a process for producing alkyl esters including mixing a lipid feed stock with an alcohol to form a reaction mixture;
and contacting the reaction mixture with a catalyst under supercritical conditions for the alcohol,
the catalyst comprising an unmodified metal oxide selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, zirconia, and hafnia, and removing residual free fatty acids from the reaction mixture. Other embodiments are included herein.
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Inventors: McNeff; Clayton V.; (Andover, MN) ;
McNeff; Larry C.; (Anoka, MN) ;
Gyberg; Arlin E.; (Minneapolis, MN) ; Yan; Bingwen; (Shoreview, MN) ;
Nowlan; Daniel Thomas; (Hugo, MN)
Correspondence Name and Address: PAULY, DEVRIES SMITH & DEFFNER, L.L.C.
Plaza VII-Suite 3000
45 South Seventh Street
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-1630
US
Assignee Name and Adress: SARTEC CORPORATION
617 Pierce Street P.O. Box 665
Anoka
MN
55303
Serial No.: 833839
Series Code: 11
Filed: August 3, 2007
U.S. Current Class: 554/170
U.S. Class at Publication: 554/170
Intern'l Class: C11C 3/04 20060101 C11C003/04; C11C 3/10 20060101 C11C003/10
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Claims
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1. A process for producing alkyl esters comprising:
mixing a lipid feed stock with an alcohol to form a reaction mixture;
contacting the reaction mixture with a catalyst under supercritical conditions for the alcohol, the catalyst comprising an unmodified metal oxide selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, zirconia, and hafnia, and removing residual free fatty acids from the reaction mixture. ....
Rest clipped.
If you post a summary of what you think, please ping me.
Pig Poop to replace oil? The Mooslims will NOT be happy. That is too funny.
Brian needs a lawyer, now.
He initiated the investigation and made material contributions with his research. Where is he listed on the Application??
Those bastards. I see McNeff's RELATIVE is on it.
When you consider that we now make plastic bags and plastic items called blister packs for holding a single item like a comb or an ink cartridge from corn and soy - the farmer is growing food for more than ethanol. As a matter of fact, I have heard stories on the radio saying, we use more fuel to make plastic in what we buy in the stores than we use fuel in our autos. Soon we have to get our priorities straight.
Pardon my negativism but I’ll believe this when I see it. The fact that we are still not drilling offshore or Anwar shows me the politicos are still not concerned with giving up their campaign contributions for the good of the country. No new drilling,no new refineries, no new nuclear power plants and gasoline headed to $4.00 a gallon. Seems the only thing this government can produce is more cheap labor from Mexico.
Biodiesel - is that where they take food that should have gone to hungry kids around the world and burn it in engines?
As a student using their facilities he is in the same boat as a scientist at Exxon, he does not get financial credit for his work.
Brian needs a lawyer, now.
That’s pretty much what happens when you’re still in school, or if you’re workin’ for someone else. He shoulda kept his mouth shut until he got outa school!
Biodiesel is one of the few alternative fuels that can be made from foodstuff sources AFTER they have been used! Raw SEWAGE can, and is, being bade into biodiesel. Packing house offal (guts and other parts leftover) can be used. Algae can be grown on non-agricultural lands, and the small amount of water that is necessary is recycled, Invasive species plants (popcorn trees,etc) can be used. Any OIL producing seed or plant can be used................
The automobile mfrs, practically all of them, are introducing diesel engines in their lineups over the next two years. The Diesel Revolution is just beginning...........
And the weird thing about that is, the amount of petroleum that’s used in the production of said formerly known as food products is never considered in the equation.
Ethanol is a joke.
It really is, but methinks there is politics involved.
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