H ere is how it works: The process is termed the Mcgyan process after the names of the inventors (McNeff, Gyberg and Yan). The process performs a catalytic conversion of triglycerides and free fatty acids into fatty acid methyl esters (FAMES); in other words into biodiesel. In addition to the environmental advantages of producing a biofuel that replaces conventional fossil fuels (fossil fuels have detrimental effects on the environment since they release sequestered carbon compounds and other pollutants into the atmosphere, whereas bio-based fuels such as biodiesel are more environmentally friendly since their use recycles carbon through renewable biomass and because they burn cleaner than petroleum fuels), this new process offers several advantages over current biodiesel production methods.

A general operational schematic of the Mcgyan™ reactor is depicted above. Oil or tallow feedstocks and alcohol are converted into biodiesel. Once through the reactor, the excess alcohol is separated out and recycled back into the continuous process.

Benefits of the Mcgyan process, according to the inventors, are:

• Flexible feedstock; animal or plant sources of lipids can be used. Current waste products can be turned into fuel.

• No use of strong acids or bases in the process.

• Fast reaction times (seconds).

• Cheap feedstocks such as waste grease and animal tallow as well as a variety of plant oils can be converted to biodiesel.

• The metal oxide based catalyst is a contained in a fixed bed reactor thereby eliminating the current need to continuously add catalyst to the reaction mixture thereby reducing the amount of waste produced.

• Unwanted side reactions with free fatty acids producing soaps are eliminated, thereby reducing the amount of waste that must be disposed of properly.

• Insensitive to free fatty acid and water content of the feedstocks.

• The catalyst does not poison over time.

The Mcgyan Process flows super critical alcohol and feedstock through a tube reactor packed with sulfated metal oxide microspheres to produce biodiesel in seconds with virtually no waste stream.  The unreacted alcohol and any residual fatty acids can be recycled through the reactor making the process entirely continuous and able to achieve 100% conversion.  The process was invented by SarTec Co. and Augsburg College and the discovery was announced on Friday March 7th 2008. Plans to build a prototype commercial production facility that will employ this novel process have been announced by Ever Cat in Isanti, MN.

This is incredibly good news on the commercial-scale Biodiesel front. There's even mention of potential to size down to farm scale in this video.

This is truly exciting stuff considering the reliability and multitude of sources. 

Sources:

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/03/researchers-dev.html

http://www.evercatfuels.com

http://augnet.augsburg.edu/news-archives/2008/03_09_08/sartec.html