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| `Aina Koa Pono is working with SBS which says it has good results from it Micro Dee test facility in North Carolina for a biofuel refinery it plans along Wood Valley Road. Image from sbsbiofuels.com |
The Sustainable Biofuels Solutions partnership, was established to “bring together MELE’s engineering and project development expertise with TekGar’s advanced renewable energy technologies,” the website says. MELE reports that on April 6, 2012, the test “was successfully performed and completed, on the Micro Dee technology at our demonstration facility in North Wilkesboro, NC.” The demonstration plant is located within a facility called Industrial Process Solutions, a 225,000 square foot building inside an industrial park.
According to MELE, “the test produces Oil and BioChar, and samples are now en-route to be tested by third party laboratories. AECOM, an engineering procurement and construction company, was present throughout the duration, taking data during the entire testing period. "AECOM’s representatives were pleased with the results…We are currently engaging in discussions with several interested parties to begin the next processes: Project Financing, Risk Insurance, and Project Development.” The MELE site refers to biofuels-solutions.com for the latest news and more information on the technology.
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| SBS, in conjunction with AECOM, reports successfully completed certification testing Micro Dee at a demonstration facility in North Wilkesboro, NC. Photo from biofuels-solutions.com |
The Sustainable Biofuels Solutions website describes the technology. “SBS’s Micro Dee technology creates renewable drop-in diesel fuel from various forms of biomass and MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) using a technique called Continuous Microwave Thermo Catalytic Depolymerization.”
The website also says, “SBS’s production processes are closed loop systems that are energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Total feedstock utilization with minimum waste creation is one of the goals of our process solution.”
The website also says, “SBS’s production processes are closed loop systems that are energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Total feedstock utilization with minimum waste creation is one of the goals of our process solution.”
An update today on the website says that third party validation of the Micro Dee system confirms the “ability to produce 120 gallons of oil per ton of wood based feedstock.”
Feedstock proposed for Ka`u is expected to come from grasses, trees and other locally grown input.
The SBS website states that the “SBS has demonstrated that the Micro Dee process generates a minimum of 80 gallons of renewable diesel fuel and roughly 800 pounds of high quality biochar from one ton of biomass or MSW. The process is so efficient that roughly 85% of the BTU value of most feedstocks is converted into revenue-generating commodities.”
According to SBS, “In the case of higher-yield feedstocks, the output is even greater: one ton of tire shred generates roughly 120 gallons of fuel.”
During public meetings in Ka`u, `Aina Koa Pono promised that it would not use tires or municipal garbage to feed the refinery. The Sustainable Biofuels Solutions website offers a film on the refinery process at http://www.Biofuels-solutions.com/technologies.php.
Feedstock proposed for Ka`u is expected to come from grasses, trees and other locally grown input.
The SBS website states that the “SBS has demonstrated that the Micro Dee process generates a minimum of 80 gallons of renewable diesel fuel and roughly 800 pounds of high quality biochar from one ton of biomass or MSW. The process is so efficient that roughly 85% of the BTU value of most feedstocks is converted into revenue-generating commodities.”
According to SBS, “In the case of higher-yield feedstocks, the output is even greater: one ton of tire shred generates roughly 120 gallons of fuel.”
During public meetings in Ka`u, `Aina Koa Pono promised that it would not use tires or municipal garbage to feed the refinery. The Sustainable Biofuels Solutions website offers a film on the refinery process at http://www.Biofuels-solutions.com/technologies.php.
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| 1921 Dedication Ceremony of Hawai'i National Park, five years after the establishment of the park in 1916. The original caption published in the August 1921 edition of Paradise of the Pacific describes the scene as the "Dedication of the Hawai`i National Park. Part of the On-lookers at the Ceremony on the Rim of the Fire-pit of the Volcano." Photo from the library collection at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. |
HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK was 96 years old yesterday and the park’s Centennial Anniversary is four years away. Hawai`i Volcanoes was the fifteenth park to join the National Park Service, which has 397 national parks – including eight in Hawai`i. Established on Aug. 1, 1916, the same year as the National Park Service itself was founded. Hawai`i National Park, as it was called then, is also comprised of Haleakala National Park on Maui. In 1961, Haleakala became its own separate national park.
“There have been many positive changes and landmark events over the last 96 years at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. “And this year, there are many special events to celebrate.”
On Aug. 27, the United States Mint will officially release the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park quarter, as part of its America the Beautiful Quarters Program. The first day anyone can get the quarter will be at a public ceremony and coin exchange Aug. 29, at the park from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. The evening before, on Aug. 28, the park will host a coin forum as an After Dark in the Park program, for coin enthusiasts and other interested members of the public. The event starts at 7 p.m. in the Kilauea Visitor Center auditorium. Both event are free, but park entrance fees may apply.
This year also marks the 40th anniversary of UNESCO’s World Heritage Program, and the 25th anniversary of the 1987 inscription of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park as a World Heritage Site. “UNESCO designated the park as a World Heritage Site for its superlative attributes of universal value important to the common heritage of humanity – in particular, the biological, cultural and geologic resources of the park,” says a statement from HVNP. Special commemorative events and presentations will soon be announced.
OCEAN VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH meets tonight at 7 p.m. in the Community Center. Call 939-7033 for more.
THE COAST GUARD’S 222ND BIRTHDAY will be celebrated at Kilauea Military Camp on Saturday. The event is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-8371.
PAINTINGS BY JOHN D. DAWSON will be displayed daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park starting Saturday and continuing through Sunday, Sept. 16. A Part Of His Nature, MMXII, exhibits paintings by Dawson that feature natural history studies of the park. An opening reception will be held this Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Entrance to the exhibit and reception are free, but park entrance fees may apply. For more, call 967-7565 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.
DANCING ON THE EARTH, led by Shizuno Nasu will be held at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nasu teaches creative flow and dance to all levels. Warm-up and expressive dance movements based on Hara Tanden chi energy. Advanced registration advised; $45/$40 VAC members. For more call, 967-8222 or email julie@volcanoartcenter.org.
“There have been many positive changes and landmark events over the last 96 years at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. “And this year, there are many special events to celebrate.”
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| Image from hawaiivolcanoes.areaparks.com |
This year also marks the 40th anniversary of UNESCO’s World Heritage Program, and the 25th anniversary of the 1987 inscription of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park as a World Heritage Site. “UNESCO designated the park as a World Heritage Site for its superlative attributes of universal value important to the common heritage of humanity – in particular, the biological, cultural and geologic resources of the park,” says a statement from HVNP. Special commemorative events and presentations will soon be announced.
OCEAN VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH meets tonight at 7 p.m. in the Community Center. Call 939-7033 for more.
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| John D. Dawson paintings displayed in Volcano this weekend. Image from Volcano Art Center Gallery |
PAINTINGS BY JOHN D. DAWSON will be displayed daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park starting Saturday and continuing through Sunday, Sept. 16. A Part Of His Nature, MMXII, exhibits paintings by Dawson that feature natural history studies of the park. An opening reception will be held this Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Entrance to the exhibit and reception are free, but park entrance fees may apply. For more, call 967-7565 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.
DANCING ON THE EARTH, led by Shizuno Nasu will be held at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nasu teaches creative flow and dance to all levels. Warm-up and expressive dance movements based on Hara Tanden chi energy. Advanced registration advised; $45/$40 VAC members. For more call, 967-8222 or email julie@volcanoartcenter.org.