Do you know that energy in the oil from oilseed crops, algae, restaurant waste oil, and animal fat can serve as a biodiesel feedstock? This article explores many feedstocks that make oil, which can be used in biodiesel production.
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| Harvesting soybeans in Nebraska. Photo: F. John Hay, Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. |
The most environmentally friendly biodiesel feedstocks are used grease and oil. This article discussed how to turn waste oil and grease from restaurants into energy.
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| Photo: basheertome |
Photo: Mitra Sahara
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Some of the most environmentally friendly biodiesel feedstocks are used cooking oil and waste grease. According to the EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standards Program Regulatory Impact Analysis,…
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Biofuel life cycle analysis. Photo: U.S. Dept. of Energy Biomass Program |
Explore life cycle analysis to understand how biodiesel impacts the environment.
Life cycle analysis is a relatively recent tool, growing in popularity, that is used to estimate the environmental, energy and economic performance of a product or a system. …
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Photo: Suzanne Paulson, Department of Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences and the Institute of the Environment at UCLA.
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For biodiesel to be sold in the market, the fuel must …
Several studies have been done on energy life-cycle analysis of soybean biodiesel. These include:
For many farmers, the task of manufacturing high quality biodiesel fuel is more than they really want to take on. Some farmers opt to provide their oilseed or pressed oil to a professional biodiesel processor, who either pays in cash or in fuel for use on the farm. Others may choose to purchase biodiesel from a nearby producer rather than growing their own. Regardless of whether it’s made on site or obtained from a nearby plant, good quality biodiesel…
Biodiesel production does not result in a lot of waste. However, depending on the process and feedstocks use, it can produce some wastewater, minerals, resins, solids strained out of used oil and glycerin. Often, waste is not an issue for large producers because they can invest in the equipment needed to recycle and reuse some of these products. For small producers, waste disposal is often a concern.
The biodiesel industry aims for a zero discharge process. Plants that recycle …
Commercial-scale biodiesel producers have many constraints beyond those which small producers need to meet. Commercial producers must satisfy the expectations of owners and/or stockholders for profitability. They must make optimal use of capital and other resources. They also have to include the cost of labor because it comes from paid employees. Small-scale producers will often ignore the cost of their time and the value of the space they devote to producing fuel.
Commercial-scale producers must also meet regulatory requirements …
The process to make biodiesel involves a chemical reaction. This means that the biodiesel industry is a chemical industry. Those involved in making biodiesel must have a good understanding of the underlying chemistry to ensure they are making quality fuel in a safe manner.
Find these topics and many other related Farm Energy media resources at the Farm Energy Media archive.
Biodiesel is an alternative fuel for diesel engines that is produced by chemically reacting a vegetable oil …
Does biodiesel production impact food supplies? Learn about the “fuel versus food” debate, examine scenarios showing impacts and factors considered by scientists trying to unravel this complex question.
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| Harvesting soybeans in Nebraska. Photo: F. John Hay, Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. |
