Properties
of biodiesel
Fuel
Quality
Raw
oil inputs
and blends
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Raw
oil inputs & blends
There are many animal fats and vegetable oils options
available for the production of Biodiesel. Each fat or oil has a unique
chemical composition which impacts on the quality of the finished Biodiesel
and its ability to meet the Australian Standards. Below is a brief overview
of some of the main types of oils/fats currently used in the world for
Biodiesel production. Oils/Fats although they all have individual characteristics,
when blended can be manipulated to produce a reliable and consistent fuel
for many differing conditions that may include; climate, engine parameters,
availability of stock feed, price of oils and petroleum and marketing
aspects. BioWorks™ Australia intends to offer services in relation
to feedstock to member organizations within our network that include but
are not limited to:
• Procurement of oils/fats in bulk quantities
to offer the best market price available to processor’s
• Laboratory testing of finished Biodiesel
• Chemical engineering and testing of suitable blends to individual
conditions
• Logistical co-ordination of all raw material transport and acquisitions
• Facilitate the sale of Biodiesel to both established local and international
markets
Tallow
Tallow is obtained from animal tissue, namely sheep
and cattle, and is a naturally occurring fat. It is collected through
a process of rendering animal tissue (usually at abattoirs) to produce
a white, odorless and nearly tasteless liquid. To prevent tallow from
solidifying it must be kept at a temperature between 50-60 degrees Celsius.
Historically tallow is used to produce soap, detergents, candles and pet
foods.
Rapeseed (Canola)
Rapeseed, or Canola in Australia, is the leading
feedstock for the production of Biodiesel in the world. Canola oil is
derived from crushing the seed from the Canola plant. You can expect approximately
a 30% oil content in most seed, with the by product being a canola meal
which is widely used in stock feed’s. Although the most expensive
of feedstock available, Canola has excellent winterizing properties, hence
it is widely used in the colder regions of North America, Canada and Europe.
For Australian conditions the use of B100 (100% Biodiesel) Canola derived
Biodiesel is not necessary due to our warmer climate. It is a much debated
topic in Biodiesel circles, that Canola when used as the sole feedstock
will result in a 7% power reduction in engine performance, this is yet
to be scientifically proven, however can be easily rectified by blending
the raw canola oil with palm oil or tallow fat to improve the combustion
characteristics, resulting in a high cetane, high performance Biodiesel.
Palm Oil
Palm oil is derived from an oil palm tree, which
grows in tropical climates and is often called the African Oil Palm. Unlike
Canola, Palm oil is derived from crushing the kernel, and releasing the
oil from the outer husk of the seed and not the seed itself. Palm oil
is bright orange in colour and is widely used in cooking; in fact most
of the vegetable oil blends used in deep fryers has a high percentage
of palm oils. Oil Palms are grown in many countries including Northern
Brazil, Indonesia, Papua and Malaysia. Palm Oil Biodiesel has a high cetane
number and contributes to making high quality Biodiesel.
Used Cooking Oil
Used Cooking Oil is obtained primarily
from deep fryers in restaurants and other eating establishments. Used
Cooking Oil unlike
the virgin oils above will be inconsistent in their nature due to different
blends in use, and the length of time the oil has been used in deep fryers
which in turn will effect the level of Free Fatty Acid’s (FFA’S),
which is the universal determinant for oil quality. Used Cooking Oil however is the
main feedstock for those making Biodiesel at home and for private use.
The oil can generally be picked up free from the local Chinese Restaurant
or McDonalds, as these establishments would normally need to pay in the
vicinity of 10c/L to have the oil removed and disposed of. B100 Biodiesel
can be made quite effectively using Used Cooking Oil but the fuel is of a higher standard
and consistency if it is treated and FFA reduced, or blended with virgin
oils.
Alternatives under Development:
• Algae – Extensive
research internationally is currently under way in the
field of Algal farming. An alga is one of the highest yielder’s
of oil per
hectare. It is currently being farmed adjacent to power generation
facilities
which emit a large amount of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and heat,
ideal for the
growth of algae.
• Jatropha – Has great potential for oil production in the
world. Jatropha is a small bush that grows a berry like fruit
that contains the oil. The Jatropha plant will grow in poor
degraded soils, with very little inputs. It is not grazed by
animals and is highly pest and disease resistant. Yields can vary
between 0.5 – 12t/ha. The berry is approximately 55-60%
oil that can be used for Biodiesel production. Jatropha, like
Oil Palms are an on-going crop that will yield for many years.
Jatropha is currently growing wild in the Northern regions
of Western Australia, however as it is classed as a noxious
weed in Australia it cannot be grown commercially. It is a very labour
intensive crop to harvest as traditionally it has been done by hand,
it is due to this factor that it is more economically
grown in countries like Timor, and India. |
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