Rentech Completes First Production Run at F-T Demo Plant
30 October 2008
Rentech, Inc. has successfully completed the first full production run at its Product Demonstration Unit (PDU) in Commerce City, Colorado using its Rentech Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) process. (Earlier post.)
Thousands of gallons of synthetic fuels and specialty chemicals were produced during the nearly 800-hour continuous production run at the facility. A variety of synthetic fuels were produced, including military jet fuel, commercial Jet A and Jet A-1 and ultra-low sulfur diesel, all of which met or exceeded applicable specifications, according to the company. Rentech has shipped these fuels as well as specialty chemicals for testing to potential customers, including the US Air Force.
During the next few months, Rentech will analyze the operating and engineering data generated from this production run. It may modify the facility’s design and operational parameters to further improve the productivity of the facility based on these results in preparation for the next production run.
The PDU is designed to produce approximately 420 gallons per day of synthetic jet and diesel fuels and specialty chemicals.
This unit must continue to be kept in operation until others are built. Even at present prices, making synthetic fuels is less expensive than importing them in the long run. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 06 November 2008 at 02:57 PM