$2m grant awarded to Thar for biodiesel technology

Funding of $2m has been awarded to Thar Technologies to support its work in developing more efficient biodiesel production technology. The new technology, says the company, will be based on the its expertise in high pressure processing, known as supercritical fluid technology. The initial funding was obtained via grant from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Advanced Technology Program.

"Advanced Technology Program awards have been aimed at encouraging private industry to develop innovative for national benefit," said Marc Stanley, director of the NIST program responsible for managing the ATP award to Thar. "If Thar Technologies is able to improve the efficiency of biodiesel fuel production, they are helping the nation to meet its energy independence and environmental protection goals."

Dr. Lalit Chordia, CEO of Thar, said “Thar’s green technology requires less energy per unit of production and integrates several post-extraction steps into one continuous, efficient process. Cost-effective biodiesel for mass production is finally on the horizon.”

Successful development of the technology will produce biodiesel profitably, directly from oilseed feedstock while reducing energy consumption and eliminating environmental hazards, says the company. The by-products of this technology also have a higher value, making the process very competitive and efficient.

Thar Technologies delivers environmentally-friendly supercritical fluid solutions to the pharmaceutical, foods, and chemicals industries. Supercritical fluid technology replaces traditional solvent-based processing by harnessing the power of one of nature's most common elements, carbon dioxide.

Source: Biofuel Review