The plant, located about 40 miles north of campus in Isanti, Minn., is expected to produce about 3 million gallons of biodiesel per year when it is fully operational. The plant represents the first large-scale application of the Mcgyan process of making biodiesel.

The Mcgyan process, which came out of research by Augsburg undergraduate and Rhodes scholar Brian Krohn, creates biodiesel from waste oils. The process doesn’t require food stock to work and doesn’t create any waste products.

The Mcgyan process—named for alum and Ever Cat Fuels founder Clayton McNeff ’91, Augsburg chemistry professor Arlin Gyberg and Ever Cat scientist Ben Yan—has certainly attracted a lot of attention.

“When I see something like this, it’s everything that we talk about in Washington,” said U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who spoke at the grand opening.

McNeff said Ever Cat Fuels is already planning to expand its facility in Isanti. In addition, the company is licensing the Mcgyan process and it is expected that other biodiesel facilities will be built across the country and the world.

“It gives us a chance to grow our way to energy independence,” McNeff said.

Biodiesel was previously produced using the Mcgyan process in a test facility in Anoka. Production at the Isanti facility began earlier this month. Some of the biodiesel produced is being used to run the facility. Most is being sent to blenders, who combine biodiesel and traditional diesel fuel. The percentage of biodiesel required to be used in the diesel sold at pumps across Minnesota will rise in upcoming years.

McNeff also said that a donation to Augsburg’s planned Center for Science, Business and Religion will be made for each gallon of biodiesel sold.

Augsburg was well represented at the grand opening and Gyberg and President Paul Pribbenow were recognized. Several other members of the president’s cabinet, faculty members, and staff members were also in attendance. In addition, Augsburg music students provided entertainment before the event started.

WCCO TV anchor Don Shelby was the master of ceremony for the event that had about 150 people in attendance. Shelby summed up the importance of the day.

“Energy change has begun in this room,” Shelby said. “This is incredible on almost every conceivable level. The process is carbon neutral, it doesn’t use food, there are no chemicals and without waste. We’re sitting on top of proof of the future of energy in America.”

Read the StarTribune’s coverage of the opening by Neal St. Anthony.

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discovery of a chemical process that could free the United States from its dependence on petroleum diesel fuel. This revolutionary method to make biodiesel started with the curiosity of Augsburg chemistry senior Brian Krohn and ended with three Twin Cities scientists creating the “Mcgyan Process.”

Brian initiated his summer research project by deciding to study new ways to produce biodiesel. After Brian’s preliminary

research, his professor advised him to contact chemist Dr. Clayton McNeff, an Augsburg alumnus and vice president of SarTec. McNeff, his chief scientist Dr. Ben Yan, and Augsburg’s Professor Arlin Gyberg took Brian’s idea and created a chemical reaction that has never before been described in scientific literature. As a result of the Mcgyan Process discovery, McNeff co-founded Ever Cat Fuels based in Anoka. It is the only plant in the world using this new method to manufacture biodiesel.

Industry analysts have been surprised by how well the Mcgyan Process works and its implications for fuel production worldwide. This process has many advantages over previous biodiesel production methods. It can convert a much wider range of feedstock oils and animal fats into biodiesel, including the byproducts from ethanol production. The Mcgyan Process recycles the catalyst and alcohol necessary to make biodiesel, it reduces the reaction time from hours to seconds, and it doesn’t use water or dangerous chemicals. In short, it can make more biodiesel quickly and with a minimal impact on the environment.

(QuickTime video, ~4 min., 6 MB)

Because the Mcgyan Process can use a wider range of renewable oils, it has opened the door to a truly Earth-changing possibility. Algae that capture carbon dioxide can be a source of Mcgyan feedstock oil. The use of algae oil simultaneously reduces the demand on arable land for fuel purposes and scrubs the atmosphere of a greenhouse gas. SarTec has conducted research into using algae oils to supply the Mcgyan Process. The corporation is working on the use of algae to reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants while creating a biodiesel feedstock.

A patent is now pending on the Mcgyan Process which is named for the three scientists officially credited with the discovery (McNeff, Gyberg, and Yan). Ever Cat Fuels Corporation is currently producing 50,000 gallons of biodiesel per year and is using it as a power source. Its production capacity will increase to 3 million gallons per year when its new plant begins operation in Isanti later this year. Then, Ever Cat Fuels hopes to sell the technology and equipment to nations around the world.

All of these remarkable discoveries started with Brian’s experiential learning at Augsburg, which is a fundamental part of the college’s learning environment. His research will lead Brian to a promising future in science and create opportunities for Augsburg students for years to come. “This one-on-one relationship between professor and student may result in one of modern day’s greatest discoveries,” says Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow. “Augsburg is proud to be in the forefront and grateful that it may lead to a source of on-going funding that will enable us to take our science program

to great heights.”

Media Coverage

The biodiesel press conference garnered attention in local and even international media. Here is a list of links to a sample of that coverage:

ÌýÌý ABC News –

Ìý WCCO News –

ÌýÌý Pioneer Press –

Ìý KSTP 5 News – (both include video)

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ÌýÌý KARE 11 News – (includes video)

Ìý Star Tribune – and

ÌýÌýÌýÌý and

ÌýÌýÌýÌý

ÌýDuluth Budgeteer News –

Ìý Green Car Congress –

Business Week – http://investing.businessweek.com/

Automotive World –

Biodiesel Magazine –

ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

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