USA: Biofuels Production Hydrotreater Pilot Plant: Renewable Energy Group Collaborates with Iowa State University

Editor: MA Alexander Stark

Biofuels producer, Renewable Energy Group, joined Iowa State University (ISU) at the Bio Century Research Farm (BCRF) for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the start of a new hydrotreater pilot plant. This project is the result of a three-year collaboration between REG and the ISU Bioeconomy Institute.

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REG President & CEO, CJ Warner, and ISU President, Wendy Wintersteen, prepare to cut the ribbon in celebration of their collaboration on the new hydrotreater pilot plant. Photo courtesy of Christopher Gannon, Iowa State University.
REG President & CEO, CJ Warner, and ISU President, Wendy Wintersteen, prepare to cut the ribbon in celebration of their collaboration on the new hydrotreater pilot plant. Photo courtesy of Christopher Gannon, Iowa State University.
(Source: Iowa State University/ Business Wire)

Ames/USA — REG is a global advanced biofuels producer that converts waste and byproduct fats and oils, referred to as feedstocks, into biodiesel and renewable diesel. The company has now joined forces with Iowa State University to design a Hydrotreater pilot plant.

The University operates an integrated research and demonstration facility dedicated to biomass production and processing. The new hydrotreater pilot plant at the facility will utilize the expertise of both organizations to better understand how various biomass feedstocks can play a role in the production of renewable fuels with a specific focus on renewable diesel.

Renewable diesel is a fuel that, through a catalytic process utilizing heat, pressure and hydrogen, known as hydrotreating, can convert feedstocks into a hydrocarbon fuel that is chemically similar to traditional diesel. Research at this new hydrotreater pilot plant will support REG’s Geismar, Louisiana renewable diesel plant by helping to evaluate new low-carbon feedstocks and optimize production of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The pilot plant is a multi-reactor state-of-the-art research and development unit designed by REG’s engineering teams to accelerate the development of new feedstocks and processes. The system is fully automated and configured to run safely and reliably for weeks at a time.

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