With the call for alternative fuel still up in the air, the mass production for biofuels and biodiesels tries to adhere to the demand as US Biofuels Inc. sets to launch major green fuel production with recent gains from 12 greenhouses. Each greenhouse will be constructed and renovated for the purpose of growing algae in a closed system, using the photobioreactor (PBR) process for the production of Biofuel.

What is a PBR?

PBR is a bioreactor, which includes some kind of light source. Really any clear, translucent container could be called a PBR, but the term is more commonly used to define a closed system, as opposed to an open tank or pond. This system allows more species to be grown at a faster rate, extending the growing season, and if heated it can produce all year round.

US Biofuels looks forward to producing biofuel all year round from these greenhouses and hopes to complete the construction and renovations of the greenhouses by 2010. After which they anticipate to produce over 4 million gallons of biodiesel gas just from these 12 greenhouses alone.

US Biofuels is also currently researching new strains of algae to better manufacture more precise mixtures for products such as jet fuel and other special use products. Planning to open a chain of 145 resale locations throughout the nation, US Biofuels looks forward to producing alternative fuels and help America achieve a greener, cleaner environment.

(Source) Press

Tags: algae, alternative fuel, alternative fuels, Biofuel, biofuels, bioreactor, fuel production, green fuel, greenhouse, greenhouses, jet fuel

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We have seen a lot of alternative fuels being experimented on and apparently this one takes the cake. Can you imagine a car running on chocolate? That car must have some kinda sweet tooth to run swiftly on chocolate-based biodiesel!

This story from TG Daily says researchers at the University of Warwick in the UK have now built a Formula 3 racing car capable of taking corners at 125 mph… running on biodiesel made from chocolate:

The car meets all Formula 3 racing standards except for its biodiesel engine, which is configured to run on fuel derived from waste chocolate and vegetable oil. Formula 3 cars currently cannot use biodiesel. The team hopes to enter it in some sort of race soon, though, said [project manager James] Meredith.

Components made from plants form the mainstay of the car’s make up, including a race specification steering wheel derived from carrots and other root vegetables, a flax fibre and soybean oil foam racing seat, a woven flax fibre bib and plant oil-based lubricants.

The biodiesel engine is configured to run on fuel derived from waste chocolate and vegetable oil. It also incorporates a radiator coated in a ground-breaking emission destroying catalyst.

(Source) Domestic Fuel

Tags: alternative fuels, carrots, domestic fuel, formula 3 racing, lubricants, mainstay, plant oil, racing car, racing seat, radiator, root vegetables, soybean oil, steering wheel, sweet tooth, vegetable oil

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In a move to help address the growing problem of fuel and oil, Propel Fuels has reportedly partnered with Enterprise Rent-a-Car to fuel rental cars in the Sacramento area with renewable E85 Flex Fuel. This first-of-its-kind program in the area helps educate Enterprise customers on how to “fuel green and save green” with Propel E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline), which, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20 percent.

Enterprise has the largest “Flex Fuel” rental fleet in the nation, with over 73,000 vehicles able to run on standard gasoline or E85. Twelve Sacramento Enterprise locations have been selected to participate in the pilot program starting Q2 of 2009, giving customers an opportunity to try alternative fuels when they rent a Flex Fuel vehicle. Propel recently opened five Clean Fuel Points in the Sacramento area that serve E85 as well as biodiesel.

Clean Fuel Points accept major credit and fleet cards and are open 24/7, offering convenience to Enterprise customers. Enterprise customers will be educated about the opportunity to use Propel’s stations to fuel their rental cars.

(Source) Press

Tags: alternative fuels, convenience, e85 flex fuel, enterprise customers, enterprise locations, enterprise rent a car, environmental protection agency, Ethanol, fleet cards, flex fuel vehicle, gasoline, greenhouse gas emissions, pilot program, rental cars, rental fleet, sacramento area

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Perhaps it should not be too much to ask to leave your car at home for only a day. During Earth Day, follow the lead of most people who are going to travel or go to work alternatively by taking the bus. It is their way of celebrating Earth Day and one day should not be too much to ask.

People often overlook the fact that public transit and school buses replace a significant number of cars on the road, making them an environmentally sound transportation option. Research shows the typical automobile driver can reduce individual daily carbon emissions by more than 4,800 pounds per year by using public transit.

Today’s buses are more environmentally friendly than ever before thanks to cleaner burning engines, specialized particulate filters and alternative fuels.

(Source) Press

Tags: alternative fuels, automobile driver, carbon emissions, Cars, celebrating earth day, option research, particulate filters, public transit, school buses, transportation option

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For a company that is in trouble, you have to admire how their branches are trying to weather the storm. General Motors has been in the news lately and has been reportedly experiencing turbulence in the financial world but don’t tell that to their Australian branch which is launching a new line of vehicles carrying the EcoLine title.

The EcoLine vehicles will highlight the companies use of alternative fuels, fuel saving technology, and hybrid and electric models. Initially, the EcoLine of vehicles will include diesels, liquified petroleum cars, and vehicles with active fuel management systems that can cut power to cylinders to save gas. In 2010, Holden will introduce an E85 vehicles into its lineup.

But the big news is that GM’s Holden group will introduce the extended range Chevy Volt electric vehicle in Australia in 2012. The Australian automotive market appears to be behind most of the world in terms of advanced engines and low emissions. The technologies introduced by the EcoLine such as E85, cylinder deactivation, advanced diesels, are all available in the U.S. and most have been for years.

Australia’s demand for fuel efficient vehicles may be behind the times, but a Chevy Volt will be a big step towards lower emissions and acceptance of hybrid and electric vehicles in the country.

(Source) All Cars Electric

Tags: alternative fuels, automotive market, chevy volt, country source, cylinder deactivation, diesels, e85 vehicles, electric models, electric vehicle, electric vehicles, emissions, fuel efficient vehicles, fuel management systems, fuel saving, General Motors, GM, holden, liquified petroleum, turbulence, volt electric

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Motorists looking for efficient alternative fuels for their cars will be lauding this announcement from Shell U.S. Shell is introducing the all-new Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines, containing a unique, patented cleaning system designed to seek and destroy engine “gunk” (carbon deposits) in all three grades of gasoline. The new Nitrogen Enriched cleaning system protects and cleans up gunky build-up on intake valves and fuel injectors left by lower quality gasolines.

Nitrogen is a key element of the active cleaning molecule in the new fuel, making it significantly more stable at higher temperatures common in modern engines, such as direct fuel-injection gasoline engines. The increased stability ensures that the molecule can work under much tougher engine conditions by resisting thermal breakdown better than conventional cleaning additives.

In addition to developing the new fuel with the consumer in mind, Shell worked very closely with automotive manufacturers to gain insight into current and future engine technologies. These insights along with fuels technology leadership and a strong research and development program help Shell continually improve its products.

(Source) Press

Tags: additives, alternative fuels, automotive manufacturers, carbon deposits, cleaning system, fuel injection, fuel injectors, gasoline engines, grades of gasoline, motorists, nitrogen, quality gasolines, shell, technology leadership, thermal breakdown

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With the ‘Elect’ designation finally dropped from his title, President Barack Obama pledged to invest tens of billions of taxpayer dollars in advanced technology and alternative fuels for future cars and trucks, noting in his Inaugural address that his administration intends to “harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories.”

A big part of Obama’s commitment to convert American cars to new, renewable fuels is the need to reduce dependence on foreign oil in order to strengthen national security. “Each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet,” the new president said in his 19-minute speech. He pledged to look for ways “not only to create jobs but to lay a new foundation for growth.”

Tags: alternative fuels, President Obama, Renewable energy

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