First generation biodiesel plants began with a conventional transesterification process with virgin oils like soybean oil, corn oil, canola or rapeseed oil, sunflower oils etc. Since these feedstocks were refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD Oils), they were relatively easy to convert into Biodiesel. Rise in crude oil prices and increased demand (due to blenders tax credit and federal mandates) caused biodiesel producers to opt for cheaper feedstock like cooking oils, animal fats and yellow greases. These feedstocks contain impurities in the form of sulphur, gums, phosphatides and vary in free fatty acid (FFA) content as well which dictated the need for pre-treatment units to remove the impurities and convert FFAs into biodiesel.

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 We have developed and operated pre-treatment plants using degumming and bleaching as well as sulfuric acid based esterification process. As industry evolved, we worked on developing acid and methylate free processes by shifting towards solid catalyst processes which are relatively easier to manage and don’t release waste in air, water or soil.  These heterogeneous technologies included esterification resins, enzyme catalysts for converting high FFA feedstocks into ASTM Biodiesel.

Lab scale, pilot plant and eventually large scale ASTM/ EU Grade Biodiesel and Glycerin production, we possess more than 15 years of technical and business expertise in USA biodiesel business. Our proven technology design and operations experience offers a strategic advantage to our clients who need biodiesel consultants that can help them select the best biodiesel technology provider or improve current biodiesel engineering practices at their existing production plants.

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Key focus of these state of the art, next gen technologies is on offering feedstock flexibilities to enhance profit margins, improving yields and optimizing energy usage. Strong focus on reducing carbon footprint by eliminating hazardous waste into air, water or soil is an irrefutable metric which we always strive for. Continued commitment to a cleaner environment remains our steadfast objective through plant optimizations and future research and development. 

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Trident’s biodiesel consultants realize importance of intellectual property which are key assets to a valuable business. Developing and securing Intellectual Property not only enhances growth and company valuation but also sets business apart from competition. As valid patent holders in USPTO & PCT on biodiesel technologies, our core competencies are further strengthened while assisting our clients on these critical areas. 

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Our advanced biofuels team engages from time to time with leading research labs and universities for scale up, research & development, and technology licensing projects. We are well connected and experienced in working with small, medium, and large scale engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) companies in North America, South America, Asia & Europe. Trident Chemicals has an in-depth experience of more than 20+ chemical, energy and biofuel projects in USA, Europe and Asia extending up to $85 Million in capital investment on a single project.

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Manufacturing & Operations

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Trident Chemicals has more than 15 years of operations, management & biodiesel refining experience primarily in USA & spreading out to Europe, South America, Australia, and other countries.  We have managed and operated Glycerin Refining plant (99.9% purity, USP) in USA with reputed chemical companies as end users of our Refined Glycerin product ( Technical Grade and USP).

Team has successfully commissioned more than 15+ Biodiesel plants in USA meeting or exceeding ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 Biodiesel specifications using various feedstocks from virgin oils like Soy, Corn, Canola, Palm, PFAD, Jatropha, Pongamia, Moringa, Algae Oil to up to 100% high free fatty acid (FFA) feedstocks like used cooking oils, yellow grease, trap grease, tallow, lard, poultry fat and brown grease. Our production experience initially begun from operating traditional sodium methylate & sulfuric acid catalyst-based transesterification and esterification plants. As biodiesel industry continued to evolve along with tightening ASTM regulations for its commercial use, we successfully commercialized solid catalyst (heterogeneous catalysis) based technologies both for esterification as well as transesterification.

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These advanced biodiesel technologies allowed more flexibility with feedstocks such as used cooking oils (UCO), Yellow Grease (YG), lard, tallow, poultry fat, brown grease and others which had high ffa as well as impurities like MIU and metals. We have produced more than 100 million gallons of biodiesel including assisting our esteemed clients in USA and Europe.

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Renewable Diesel Technology

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Renewable diesel fuel, often called as green diesel, is an advanced alternative fuel that can be produced from biomass, vegetable oils, cooking oils & greases and animal fats. It meets ASTM D975 fuel standards in United States while qualifying as D4 RINs (biomass based diesel) under renewable fuel standard program. Since it is chemical identical to petroleum diesel, Renewable Diesel can be directly used in diesel engines without engine modifications. In 2019, about 900 million gallons of renewable diesel was consumed in USA majority of which was used in California due to its economic benefits under Low Carbon Fuel Standard program (LCFS). Renewable diesel is an ultra-clean biofuel since it reduces nearly 85% sulfur, burns clean with lower emissions, and has better carbon intensity numbers. Better shelf life, cold flow properties and reduced particulate as well as NOx emissions allow renewable or green diesel to be directly used as a drop in fuel or replacement to fossil based Petro diesel.

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Renewable Diesel vs Biodiesel

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Biodiesel and renewable diesel are not the same products even though they belong to the same biomass based diesel category and have some feedstocks in common.

Biodiesel is primarily produced from esterification and transesterification process which converts oils, greases and animal fats into FAME or Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (Biodiesel) and glycerin. Renewable diesel is a renewable hydrocarbon biofuel that is produced from oils & fats as well as cellulosic biomass like crop residues, wood and other waste sources (including CO2) using hydrotreating, pyrolysis, gasification and other thermo chemical processes.

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Biodiesel is an oxygenated fuel contains oxygen (about 10-12%) whereas renewable diesel or green diesel does not contain oxygen in the fuel as it is produced by adding hydrogen to the feedstock. Biodiesel has cetane value of 50-65, better lubricity but less desirable energy or combustion properties whereas renewable diesel has cetane value of 70-90, better energy densities and combustion properties.  

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Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

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Sustainable Aviation Fuel, also known as renewable jet fuel, aviation biofuel or biojet fuel is produced from renewable feedstocks and complying with ASTM D7566 specifications. ASTM International has currently has 7 approved pathways for production under ASTM D7566 for SAF allowing up to 50% blending with conventional jet fuel. Less than 3 million gallons of Sustainable aviation fuel was consumed in United states in 2019 and many biorefineries are expected to upgrade or ramp up production or bring new facilities online by 2022 and beyond.  

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Algae Fuel Production

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Going back in 2005, Green Technology revolution was largely led by the potential of algae as a source of biofuel feedstock. It ushered clean fuels sector attracting investments and research grants from govts as well as venture capital firms. Trident renewables was one of the early pioneers to produce biodiesel from algae oil for Solazyme back in 2007. Our expertise has stayed intact since then tracking top algae companies, investments and technology feasibility potential along with product revenue streams which now extends from biofuels to cosmetics and nutritional supplements. We have consulted many algae to biocrude, algae to biofuel and algae to renewable chemical companies in optimizing the lipid content and improving the cost economics of algae production via various integrated business models to maximize revenue potential. 

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Renewables Consulting Services

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Our renewable energy experts has successfully consulted private equity, investment banking, venture capital, legal, and other businesses in Silicon Valley (California) & Wall Street (New York) in areas of technology due diligence, feasibility, market outlook, M&A and investment research. Biofuel consultants have offered in depth consulting to entrepreneurs, energy companies and start-ups in United States, Australia, Europe and India in biodiesel, renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel, algae biofuel production and low carbon fuel standards (LCFS). Trident’s renewable energy consultants have served on the advisory board for businesses in biofuels sector as well.

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