Breakthrough '100% Green' Biofuels Technology Developed to Produce High Performance Fuels from Any Renewable Oil
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GILBERT, Ariz., Feb. 13 /- Diversified Energy Corporation announced today they have agreed to the terms of an exclusive worldwide license with North Carolina State University for an innovative and breakthrough biofuels technology. The patent-pending process, termed Centia(TM), directly addresses President Bush's vision to reduce U.S. petroleum consumption by 20% and to increase the renewable fuels standard to 35 billion gallons per year by 2017. It provides several key advantages when compared with other biofuel processes like biodiesel, ethanol and others, including:
o Delivers a more advanced and complex hydrocarbon fuel, suitable for
demanding applications like jet fuel and as a biodiesel additive for
cold-weather operations.
o Provides up to a 50% reduction in external energy required in the process.
o Utilizes any renewable lipid-based oil compound (soybean, canola,
animal fats, algae, etc), thus avoiding being beholden to the price
and availability of any one supply source.
o Produces an aviation fuel competitively priced with petroleum-derived
fuel, before considering the additional financial incentives available
from the government.
o Offers a "100% green" biofuel product containing no fossil fuel
components.
Centia(TM), a name derived from Crudus Potentia (meaning "green power" in Latin), can utilize feedstock oils from edible and inedible animal fats, waste oils, agriculture crops like soybean, algae, newly proposed energy crops, or any other lipid-based feedstock. This provides the owner of a Centia(TM) biofuels plant the flexibility to use the most attractive feedstock at any given time or location. Centia(TM) is initially being positioned to produce commercial and military jet fuel and a cold-weather biodiesel additive -- both of which are challenging and complex hydrocarbon fuels and heretofore have received little attention by the biofuels industry. The overall process flexibility will allow for broad marketplace acceptance and unprecedented options for Centia(TM) biofuel plants to adapt to the ever-changing feedstock and fuels market.
North Carolina State University, a research and academic leader in engineering, agriculture, and bioenergy sciences, has been developing the pieces to Centia(TM) over the last decade. Recent results have proven the fundamental science and defined a path forward to an integrated demonstration and pilot-scale plant. The process is expected to deliver an end-to-end energy efficiency in excess of 85%, a key metric in determining the eventual affordability of the biofuel generated. This high efficiency is a result of the process requiring less than one-half the external energy to operate than other traditional biofuels techniques. The fuel will also be compliant to aviation fuel specifications, including energy density and cold flow properties. The process is "100% green," not relying on the use of any petroleum-derived products as components in the biofuel produced.
Diversified Energy Corporation has been supporting the university in systems integration, scaleup, and the overall commercialization of the technology. Phillip Brown, President and CEO of Diversified Energy, commented, "Centia(TM) represents an absolute breakthrough and we couldn't be more excited to be working with North Carolina State University to bring it to market. A highly efficient, enormously flexible technology has finally arrived that mitigates the many challenges associated with feedstock availability and pricing, process efficiency, and biofuel affordability." "Diversified Energy represents the capable and experienced partner the university needs to take this technology to the next step. The university is committed to the biofuels market area and is eagerly awaiting the introduction of Centia(TM) biofuel plants," remarked Dr. John Gilligan, Vice-Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies at North Carolina State University.
About Diversified Energy Corporation:
Headquartered in Gilbert, Arizona, Diversified Energy Corporation (http://www.diversifiedenergy.com/) is a privately held alternative and renewable energy company focused on maturing innovative technologies, developing commercial energy projects, and providing engineering services support to project developers. Principal areas of expertise include biofuels, gasification, and next-generation solar.
About North Carolina State University:
A nationally recognized leader in science and technology with historic strengths in agriculture and engineering, North Carolina State University provides a high-quality education in the humanities and social sciences, design, education, life sciences, management, natural resources, physical and mathematical sciences, textiles and veterinary medicine. Whether educating students for the 21st century, improving lives through life-altering research, or partnering with communities, business, and government to create jobs, NC State's commitment to innovation creates a culture of excellence that spreads to every facet of the university and affects people's lives in relevant, powerful ways.
NC State's Office of Technology Transfer manages the University's patent and technology portfolio, currently consisting of 552 U.S. Patents and approximately 1600 proprietary technologies. Forming partnerships with innovative companies such as Diversified Energy fulfills NC State's mission of getting academic discovery to the market for the greater public good.
Media Contact: Jeff Hassannia
480-507-0297, ext 105
jeff.hassannia@diversified-energy.com
Source: Diversified Energy Corporation
Web site: http://www.diversifiedenergy.com/
