Sustainable Transportation Fuels (STF) helps refineries to cost-efficiently meet the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. This program aims to:

  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuels
  • Increase the use of renewable fuels in the transportation sector
  • Enhance the nation’s energy security

The RFS program requires that a minimum percentage of transportation fuel comes from renewable sources. This percentage changes every year and is set by the EPA.

How does STF help refineries meet the RFS program?

  • STF provides refineries with skid mounted equipment that can produce renewable fuel from atmospheric CO2 via biomass.
  • The equipment extracts CO2 from the air and grows biomass in a fast and efficient way using hydroponics in vertical cultivation in an enclosed building.
  • The equipment converts the biomass into crude bio-oil, which can replace fossil crude oil in the refinery feed.
  • The standard sized equipment can produce 7,400 barrels per day (BBL/D) of crude bio-oil, which is enough for a median-sized refinery of 135,000 BBL/D.
  • The equipment operates 24/7 and is not affected by day/night or seasonal variations.

What are the benefits of using STF’s equipment?

  • Refineries can comply with the RFS program and avoid penalties or fines.
  • Refineries can sell their renewable fuel at a premium price over fossil fuel.
  • Refineries can generate and sell excess RINs (renewable identification numbers) to other refineries that need them.
  • Refineries could also produce other valuable products from the equipment, such as synthesis gas, CO2 for sequestration, and hydro-char for soil improvement. The synthesis gas is used to make more transportation fuels and possibly some green hydrogen or green power.
  • Refineries can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a cleaner environment.

What are the options for refineries to use STF’s equipment/systems?

  • Refineries can lease the equipment from STF and pay for the crude bio-oil or
  • Refineries can buy the equipment from STF and pay a perpetual license fee.

Total Addressable Market

The US has 130 refineries with different crude capacities. The smallest one can process 1,700 BBL/D of crude oil, while the largest one can process 607,000 BBL/D. The median size is around 135,000 BBL/D. One unit of our equipment can produce enough renewable fuel for a median-sized refinery. Smaller refineries can produce more renewable fuel than they need and sell the surplus to other refineries that need it.

Other sources of renewable fuel include used cooking oil, cellulosic biofuel, and advanced biofuel. However, our equipment is more scalable and consistent than these sources.

Our equipment can also produce other products besides crude bio-oil, such as:

  • Synthesis gas: a gas that can be used to make more fuels or chemicals
  • CO2: a gas that can be captured and stored underground to reduce emissions
  • Hydro-char: a solid material that can be used to improve soil quality or make more synthesis gas

The best combination of products depends on the refinery’s needs and goals. Our equipment can help refineries through their LP Model to maintain legal compliance, maximize revenue and take advantage of available government subsidies for selling renewable fuels and reducing CO2 emissions.