Synthetic Diesel. Clean-burning, sulfur-free synthetic diesel fuels are gaining interest as an alternative to diesel refined from crude oil, which produces harmful emissions, and to further reduce dependence on fossil fuels. In 2017, the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates,[1] diesel fuel used in transportation resulted in the emission of 451 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.
Synthetic diesel is free of sulfur and other petroleum byproducts. It is produced through a process of chemical recombination of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, called the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, into a variety of synthetic hydrocarbons. Natural gas, coal, or biomass are common feedstocks, but in recent years, other materials have been explored. For instance, the Audi car company has developed new technology to produce what it calls e-diesel, using water, air, and electricity as raw materials. The company is building a pilot plant in Switzerland that it says will produce sustainable fuel that releases almost no carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Synthetic diesel can be used in existing diesel engines and even mixed with petroleum-derived diesel. High capital costs and the option of electric vehicles and hybrids have been barriers to wider commercialization, but research into cleaner, greener fuels continues as the need to find non-polluting alternative energy sources grows more urgent.
People working on research and development of synthetic diesel may have degrees and experience in chemical and biological engineering, plant management, manufacturing, and a variety of other fields.
Lee Enterprises Consulting (LEC) offers a wide range of services in biofuels, biochemicals, biotechnologies, biomaterials, synthetic biology commercialization, feedstocks, and hemp/cannabis. The company has business and financial services like due diligence, feedstock availability, grants and loans, and bio market research. The company also offers technical and engineering-related services like techno-economic analysis, environmental evaluations, feasibility studies, risk analysis, and expert witness engagements. The company also has strategic partnerships in place to assist clients with insurance, legal, accounting, plant fabrication, feedstock procurement. With over 150 experts worldwide, Lee Enterprises Consulting also has experts in anaerobic digestion, fermentation, biomass, conversion technologies for things like tires and railroad ties, organic synthesis, fuel additives, ethanol gas, biodiesel fuel including algae biofuels, solid-state and industrial fermentation, green energy grants, ag-biotech, agricultural waste, alcohol fuels, alternative proteins and animal-free products, sustainable foods, beverage fermentation, biocatalysis, biodiesel conversion, biogas production, biomass power, carbon intensity, co2 utilization, combined heat & power, Fischer-Tropsch technology, food waste, hydrothermal carbonization, industrial enzymes, landfill management, microbial fermentation, organic synthesis, plastic pyrolysis, plastic recycling, plastic waste, pyrolysis oil, reactor design, renewable identification number, the Renewable Fuel Standard (rfs2), solid recovered fuels, torrefaction and torrefied biomass, waste to energy, and waste-to-hydrogen. This is a multidisciplinary group of green energy consultants that is a virtual “one-stop-shop” for any client need and handles projects of all types and sizes.
Look at our 150+ experts and the services we provide. Most of our experts are also available to advise and serve as expert witnesses in bioeconomy litigation matters. For the larger projects, we specialize in putting together full-service, interdisciplinary teams with one point of contact. See a video about LEC here. Call us at 1+ (501) 833-8511 or email us for more information
