From Fats to Fuel (10/4/2007)

Dr. Henry Lamb shows a sample of fuel made from fat.

North Carolina State University researchers have developed a way to convert vegetable oil and other oils from animal fat - even cooking grease and algae - into jet fuel to power airplanes. The technology they devised - called Centia - is 100 percent green, as no petroleum-derived products are added to the process. As there is no soot or particulate matter associated with fuel from fats, the fuel created by the new process also burns cleaner, so it's better for the environment.

Dr. William Roberts, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and director of the Applied Energy Research Laboratory at NC State, developed the biofuels process with NC State's Dr. Henry Lamb, associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering; Dr. Larry Stikeleather, professor of biological and agricultural engineering; and Tim Turner of Turner Engineering in Carrboro, N.C.

Roberts says that besides being 100-percent green, the new technology has some key advantages over other biofuel projects.

"We can take virtually any lipid-based feedstock, or raw material with a fat source - including what is perceived as low-quality feedstock like cooking grease - and turn it into virtually any fuel," Roberts says. "Using low-quality feedstock is typically 30 percent less costly than using corn or canola oils to make fuel. And we're not competing directly with the food supply, like ethanol-based fuels that are made from corn."

NC State received provisional patents to use the process to convert fats into jet fuel and biogasoline, and create additives for cold-weather biodiesel fuels. The technology has been licensed by Diversified Energy Corp., a privately held Arizona company specializing in the development of advanced alternative and renewable energy technologies and projects.

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by North Carolina State University

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