ARA DELIVERS GAME-CHANGING 100% RENEWABLE FUELS TO THE NAVY

PANAMA CITY, Fla., March 11, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Navy is performing certification testing on neat, unblended ReadiJet® and ReadiDiesel® which will result in new military specifications. When the MILSPEC certification is complete, ReadiJet® and ReadiDiesel® will be the ONLY 100 percent renewable fuels certified by the Department of Defense. ReadiJet® is also being certified for commercial use through ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials).

For the first time ever, renewable jet and diesel fuels that meet petroleum fuel specifications without blending, will be certified for use as 100 percent drop-in fuels. ARA has delivered over 150,000 gallons of 100 percent drop-in jet and diesel fuel to the U.S. Navy as part of a certification fuel contract, two months ahead of schedule.

The renewable jet and diesel fuels are made using ARA's and Chevron Lummus Global's Biofuels ISOCONVERSION™ process which converts any renewable fat, oil, or grease into high yields of 100 percent drop-in, pure hydrocarbon fuels.

ARA and Chevron Lummus Global (CLG) developed their process based on ARA's patented Catalytic Hydrothermolysis process and CLG's market-leading hydro-processing technology. The process converts any non-edible oil directly into renewable, aromatic, drop-in fuels known as ReadiJet® and ReadiDiesel®. These fuels are ready to use, without blending, in turbine and diesel engines.

TESTED AND PROVEN

On October 29, 2012, the National Research Council Canada flight-tested ReadiJet® using their Falcon 20 aircraft in the world's first ever 100 percent drop-in renewable jet fuel flight. The flight demonstrated more than 50 percent reduction in particle emissions while obtaining a 1.5 percent reduction in specific fuel consumption compared to petroleum-derived jet fuel. ReadiJet® gives more miles per gallon than petroleum based fuel and a lot more miles per gallon than other renewable fuels. This means longer range for aircraft flying with ReadiJet®.

"The first ever 100 percent renewable fuel flight with jet fuel that meets petroleum specifications without blending was historic. The process and emissions data showed that ReadiJet® reduces CO2 emissions by 80% compared to petroleum jet fuel and will contribute to a cleaner environment with significantly lower aerosol, particle, and black carbon emissions," stated Chuck Red, ARA's Vice President of Fuels Development.

The test flight was listed as one of the Top 25 scientific achievements of 2012 in Popular Science Magazine's January 2013 Edition. ReadiJet® also received the 2012 Best New Fuel Award from Biofuels Digest.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS


Reduction in emissions is just one of the positive environmental impacts of ARA's ReadiJet® and ReadiDiesel® fuels. The Biofuels ISOCONVERSION™ process can use waste such as yellow grease from rendering facilities, used cooking oil, and brown grease recovered from grease traps as feedstocks.
In addition to being compatible with current turbine and diesel engines, ReadiJet® and ReadiDiesel® do not have to be segregated from their petroleum counterparts. These fuels can utilize existing petroleum infrastructure without the need to build additional, costly infrastructure for blending, transportation, and storage.

FULL SPEED AHEAD

ARA and CLG are currently engineering the first commercial-scale refinery for its licensee, UrbanX Renewables Group. The multi-phase 5,000 barrel-per-day refinery will be located in Southern California and will produce renewable diesel, jet, and naphtha from ultra-low carbon intensity waste oil feedstocks.
"We are now a few steps closer to our goal of commercial scale production of 100 percent drop-in diesel and jet fuel from waste oils at prices competitive with their petroleum counterparts," said Red.

About ARA

Applied Research Associates was founded in 1979 and is an employee-owned scientific research and engineering company dedicated to solving critical national problems to improve our safety, security and way of life. ARA has earned significant recognition in National Security, Transportation, Energy & Environment, and Health & Human Safety and has set standards of excellence in service and technology that extend into new territory. ARA is the company that government and industry turn to for innovative technologies and solutions with employees who have the expertise to tackle the most challenging technical problems. For more information about ARA's Biofuel Initiative go to: www.ara.com/fuels.

About Chevron Lummus Global (CLG)

Chevron Lummus Global (CLG), a 50/50 joint venture between CB &I and Chevron, licenses refining and hydroprocessing technologies and catalyst systems worldwide for production of clean fuels and high-quality lubricant base oilsCLG's research and development staff is continuously seeking advancements in catalyst and technology that will improve operating economics. CLG is the leading Process Technology Licensor for Alternate Sources of Fuels including: Oil Sands Bitumen, Shale Oil, Biofuels, and Extra Heavy Oils. For more information please visit: www.chevron.com/products/sitelets/refiningtechnology/about_che_tech.aspx.