Biopropane, the youngest member of the biogas family

[Christophe]

I just discovered the existence of biopropane, propane made mainly from used cooking oil ... and which is, in fact, a by-product of the production of the diester / biodiesel!

Here are some infos from the site https://www.primagaz.fr/a-propos/biopropane

I imagine that this factory is raiding a large part of the fried oils in Europe ...

What is biopropane?

Biopropane is produced solely from biomass: inputs (that is, components or raw materials) of renewable origin.

88% of these inputs come from the recycling of industrial waste (cooking oils, animal fats), 12% of vegetable oils of agricultural origin, coming from certified sectors that are respectful of the environment.

Once conditioned, these oils are hydrotreated, that is to say heated at high temperature, under high pressure of hydrogen and in the presence of catalysts; a process called HVO (hydrotreated vegetal oil) by professionals.

Biopropane has the same properties as standard propane even if it is not produced in the same way.

Biopropane is a biofuel residue called biodiesel. When biodiesel is produced, many other gases are also produced. If they are not used ... they are lost! Biopropane is 5% of the residues of biodiesel production.

Biopropane is a biogas. The prefix "organic" does not have the same meaning as for products or cultures from organic farming. The prefix "bio" comes from the fact that this biogas, just like biodiesel, comes from biomass. Biomass is one of the 7 renewable energy families.

Where is it produced?

Primagaz's biopropane is produced in Rotterdam, Holland, by Neste, with whom SHV Energy, our parent company, has entered into an exclusive partnership. Neste is the leader in the biodiesel industry in the world.

What is its composition?

There are 6 main inputs for making biopropane:

Distillate of palm oil fatty acids (residue from the refining of edible palm oil),
Colza oil,
Palm oil,
Soya oil,
Residues of cooking oils,
Tallow (animal fat residue)

(...)

Where to find it in France?

Biopropane is distributed on the French market from 2018 thanks to Primagaz. It is used for small Twiny gas cylinders, for industrial uses but also in the LPG distribution networks of Avia, our partner or for the construction of new houses with our client Maison France Confort. In April 2019, it is also available with the Primaconfiance Primagaz offer for individuals changing energy: from oil to gas.

(...)

[NCSH]

The quantities of propane necessary for cooking food in Europe are around 20/25 kgep/inhabitant/year, which would perhaps make it possible to resort only to this type of recycling of cooking oils, oils produced in Europe, ...
However, the needs for propane in industry, LPG, etc. are currently around 5/6 times higher than for cooking alone in Europe (in total for 2019 around 30 Mtoe/year). It is difficult to define what the needs will be in 2050, but it will also be necessary to achieve the objective of Carbon Neutrality in 2050.

In addition, the penniless middle classes in Europe, particularly in Eastern Europe, are reluctant to spend more than €1 to switch to induction hobs, with replacement of pots, pans, casseroles... with thick soles.
Similarly, it should be noted that the urbanized middle classes of emerging countries have adopted 80% of the use of propane cylinders for cooking, and greatly appreciate being able to cook after sunset, in these countries often subject to levels temperature above 40°C.

In synthesis, there is no problem obtaining non-fossil propane, from synthetic methanol FT, for all desirable quantities.