Fuels

Together with gasification and upgrading technologies, our proprietary and patented Rentech Process produces ultra-clean synthetic fuels such as military and commercial jet fuels (RenJet^®) and ultra low sulfur diesel (RenDiesel^®). All fuels produced by the Rentech Process can be distributed and used in existing infrastructure including pipelines and engines and are cleaner burning than traditional petroleum-derived fuels.

Rentech's ultra low sulfur diesel fuel, or RenDiesel, is environmentally friendly. RenDiesel is biodegradable, exceeds all global sulfur requirements and has no aromatics. When compared to traditional petroleum-derived low sulfur diesel, tailpipe emissions from RenDiesel generate lower amounts of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides (NO_X), sulfur oxides (SO_X) and carbon dioxide. Also, when compared to traditional diesel fuels, RenDiesel has a higher hydrogen content, heating value and cetane index, making it very energy efficient. RenDiesel also has excellent storage stability making it an ideal fuel for back-up power generators.

RenJet, our military and commercial jet fuel, has all of the positive environmental and efficiency benefits of RenDiesel. Moreover, our jet fuel reduces aircraft particulate matter emissions by 96% in engine idle, a major source of ground level pollution. Also, the lower density of RenJet fuel could enable aircraft to have a lower take-off weight, which conserves fuel and, therefore, lowers operating costs. Alternatively, the lower density of RenJet fuel could allow aircraft to carry heavier payloads with the same volume of fuel when compared to traditional jet fuel.

There are many possible applications for synthetic fuels produced using the Rentech Process. For example, The United States Air Force (USAF) has certified a 50% blend of synthetic fuels for use in its aircraft. The USAF has a goal of 50% of its fuel purchases to be composed of domestic synthetic fuel blends by 2016. Up to a 50/50 blend of synthetic fuels has been certified for commercial aviation use. In addition, the International Air Transport Association would like its 230 member carriers to use 10% alternative fuels by 2017. Based on 2007 global commercial aviation fuel use of 71 billion gallons, this would equate to 7 billion gallons of alternative fuels.