Sweden-based speciality chemical and biofuels major Perstorp BioProducts has begun full-scale testing of its new enhanced rape methyl-ester (RME) biodiesel, Verdis Polaris Vintra. Made from rapeseed oil, methanol and octanol, the new biodiesel also broadens the feedstock base as the latter two are derived from the forest industry.
– The first full-scale tests have a 10 percent blend of forest-derived alcohols in the biodiesel. This fuel meets the current biodiesel standard and can thus be used in a conventional biodiesel adapted diesel engine. In the next stage of the evaluation the share of octanol will be increased so that 40 percent of the biodiesel will be from forest-derived feedstock, said Lars Lind, CEO Perstorp BioProducts.
The tests are being done with partners across the user supply chain. The idea comes from a project at Chalmers University of Technology, which showed very positive effects and reduced emissions of soot and carbon monoxide (CO) by blending heavy alcohols in fossil diesel. Perstorp BioProducts is taking the concept further to a fully renewable biofuel. The new biodiesel has several positive features, such as lower viscosity and higher cold resistance, which improves reliability in cold weather.
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