AdminEdmonton-based SBI BioEnergy lead by InderPal Singh to build $10-million mini-refinery at the Edmonton Research Park to demonstrate proprietary technology that turns vegetable oils, animal fats and tall oil — a by-product of the pulp and paper industry — into renewable diesel and jet fuel. It’s the only technology known that can convert biodiesel into […]
Edmonton-based SBI BioEnergy lead by InderPal Singh to build $10-million mini-refinery at the Edmonton Research Park to demonstrate proprietary technology that turns vegetable oils, animal fats and tall oil — a by-product of the pulp and paper industry — into renewable diesel and jet fuel.
It’s the only technology known that can convert biodiesel into renewable diesel.
The company behind a refinery to turn fat and grease into renewable fuels says the pilot plant could soon offer another local market for Alberta farmers and cut greenhouse gas emissions at the same time
“This is a crucial step for getting into commercialization,” said Inder Singh, founding president and CEO of SBI. The project would also help attract investment partners that SBI needs to move into its full-scale production goal of 240 million litres a year by 2018.
He has been working on this technology for over eight years now and finally hit the target.
When it begins operations in 2016, the pilot plant will be capable of producing up to 10 million litres of “drop-in” renewable diesel and jet fuels. Drop-in refers to the fact they are chemically indistinguishable and perform similarly to petroleum fuels. Singh believes his products may eventually replace biodiesel and ethanol.
As higher concentrations can be blended into regular fuel to meet renewable fuel standards, the renewable fuels can cut greenhouse gas emissions.Refineries in Canada prefer to buy renewable diesel over biodiesel because it is fully compatible with existing infrastructure, distribution systems and engines, according to SBI.
SBI’s refining process uses a catalytic technology that doesn’t use any water or create any waste material or use any hydrogen, Singh said. The process could become a new market for non-food canola, damaged by weather or in storage, he said.
“Once our commercial plant is up, we will probably be buying in the tune of $200 million worth of farm produce,” Singh said.
SBI expects to hire 25 more employees within a year to add to its current staff of eight.
“We’re pleased to have financially supported the development of SBI’s new renewable fuel pilot plant,” said Steve Price, CEO of Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions.
“Its facility strengthens Alberta’s expanding byproduct sector and gives Alberta farmers a new market for off-grade canola.”
~ bmah@edmontonjournal.com
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