AP FUELS AND THE POTENTIAL OF RENEWABLE DIESEL

摘要

The Province of Quebec's forestry industry has declined by more than 18% from 1999 -2008. A decrease in demand for pulp, paper and lumber has been to the detriment of the Province. Although the industry may be in decline, Quebec contributes 20.7% of Canada's GDP. Not only does this make it the nation's 2nd largest contributor, but it is capable of doing so by having the lowest provincial greenhouse gas emissions per dollar of GDP produced, a title the Province intends to retain through further emissions cuts of 20% by 2020. In order to do so, Quebec should focus on one of the single largest contributors, road transportation. With increasing concerns of the dependence on foreign oil, security and environment the promotion for the advancement of innovative technologies is adamant. To capitalize on Quebec's forestry infrastructure, AP Fuels Inc. has undertaken the development of a biomass-to-liquids facility. The facility proposed herein is of hybrid design, such that it combines biomass (from logging operations) and natural gas to feed a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis unit. Fischer-Tropsch is a mature technology capable of producing diesel and other liquid fuels from syngas (a combination of hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas). The AP Fuels Inc. facility would consume 2 200 000 tonne_(wet)/a of available wood chips and produce 10 600 bbl/day of liquid fuels. Forestry-derived F-T fuels have notable advantages other than sustainability over fossil-derivatives, including: improved performance; ultra-low sulphur content; reduced emissions, particulates and fouling; and production of fewer by-products.