Canada launches cold-weather biodiesel test

23 January 2008 02:43  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--A government-backed on-road test of biodiesel in extreme cold conditions has begun in Alberta province, the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) said on Tuesday.

The test programme will expose more than 60 trucks to some of the harshest winter conditions in North America.

In Edmonton, the provincial capital, average February temperatures do not rise above freezing point, with average daily lows of minus 12-15°C. Temperatures below minus 30°C are usually recorded in the province over the winter.

"Over the next few weeks, biodiesel will be put to the ultimate extreme cold weather iron man test," said CRFA president Gordon Quaiattini.

"We are confident these tests...will reconfirm biodiesel as a viable tool in diversifying our energy supply and reducing green house gases," he added.

The C$2.6m ($2.5m) test programme is being run by Climate Change Central, a non-profit organisation backed by the government of energy-rich Alberta.

The demonstration is intended to provide hands-on cold-weather experience for fuel blenders, distributors, long-haul trucking fleets and drivers.

Partners in the project include Shell Canada, the Canola Council of Canada, Canadian Petroleum Products Institute, Canadian Bioenergy, Neste Oil and Milligan BioTech.

Canadian biodiesel plants

Operator	Location	Feedstock	Million litres/yr
Milligan BioTech	Foam Lake, Sakatchewan	Canola oil	1
BIOX	Hamilton, Ontario	Tallow	66
Rothsay	Montreal, Quebec	Animal fats/ yellow grease	30
Canadian Bioenergy*	Sturgeon, Alberta	Canola	225

*Under construction. Source: CRFA

By: Stephen Burns
+1 713 525 2653

< previous article(VIDEO - ICIS news Europe Lunchtime Bulletin 27 October 2009)

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly