Kent Science Park

Aquafuel Drives Green Fuel Technology

12 January 2010

A Kent company is at the heart of the drive to improve the efficiency of biofuel production.

Aquafuel, based at Kent Science Park near Sittingbourne, working in conjunction with leading biofuel supplier Greenergy, has developed a new technology which enables standard diesel-engined Combined Heat and Power (CHP) generators to run on crude glycerin (glycerol).

In a major step forward for the biofuels industry, Aquafuel’s technology allows biodiesel producers to generate their own electrical power and use the waste heat to provide process steam for the biodiesel production process.

Glycerin is a by-product of biodiesel production, with 1 gallon of crude glycerin produced for every 9 gallons of biodiesel created. As a result of its density and high oxygen content, Glycerin offers exceptionally clean combustion, with much lower emissions than from burning diesel fuel.

Any excess electricity generated by the producers can be sold to the local grid, or used to run electric boilers for more process steam.

Paul Day, Director of Aquafuel, said: “Biodiesel producers can become close to self-sufficient in terms of their energy usage and also make drastic cuts in fossil fuel usage.

“Our technology opens up the potential for any liquid fuels, from ethanol to gasoline, to be burnt at diesel efficiencies and dramatically improve the performance of this increasingly important industry.”

James Speck, Site Director at Kent Science Park, said: “The Park has a longstanding reputation for the development of environmental technologies. Aquafuel’s success is further evidence of the groundbreaking science being undertaken here in Kent.”

Companies interested in working in one of the region’s most innovative locations should click here.

Click this link for further information on Aquafuel’s technology.

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