Great Lakes Biodiesel Inc. - Welland Refinery

PRODUCT Great Lakes Biodiesel produces ASTM 6751 quality biodiesel made primarily from Canadian vegetable oils. Biodiesel is a clean-burning, renewable, organic-based fuel that replaces, or works in concert with, petroleum based diesel fuels. It is a clean-burning fuel that produces less carbon dioxide emissions than traditional diesel. Tailpipe emissions such as sulphur oxides and sulphates, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which contribute to acid rain, are greatly reduced compared to traditional diesel. Furthermore, biodiesel does not contain benzene or sulphur, both of which are present in the tailpipe emissions of traditional diesel and are harmful to human health. Because biodiesel has a higher cetane rating than traditional diesel, it burns more completely, meaning there are less unburned particulates. These oxides and unburned hydrocarbons are the primary factors creating smog, and they are substantially reduced.

TECHNOLOGY The Great Lakes Biodiesel plant utilizes the latest technology from the Desmet Ballestra Group, an internationally recognized leader in biodiesel technology that supplied over 80 leading plants worldwide. This technology converts agriculture based oils into methyl esters (biodiesel). It utilizes a continuous transesterification unit that allows to operate under mild operating conditions with constant quality and minimized specific consumption of raw materials and energy.