Benefits of Biodiesel

High Protein Byproduct

The Biodiesel Extruder System produces both fuel and feed. The crushed seeds are expelled from the system as a meal that can have up to fifty percent protein (depending on crop used). The meal is excellent feed for beef, swine, poultry, and other livestock and can be worth up to 200 dollars a ton. Rapeseed producers can expect to yield 100 gallons of biofuel and 1300 lbs of meal for every ton of seed.

Positive Environmental Impact

Biodiesel is a renewable resource that allows farmers to eliminate their dependence on fossil fuels. Biodiesel meets all of the requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act. It is nontoxic and biodegradable and is safe to use around workers, livestock, and crops.

Tax Credits

The IRS gives a tax credit of one dollar per gallon for biofuel made and used on the farm. In addition, the United States Department of Agriculture gives grants of up to twenty-five percent to cover the cost of buying alternative fuel systems. The USDA also gives loan guarantees of up to fifty percent. more info

Better Performance

Biodiesel has a better combustion rating (CN) and causes less wear and tear than 100% petroleum diesel. Trader’s Dispatch reported that “biodiesel can be used on modern diesel engines with little to no modifications required... John Deere has committed to fueling all machinery leaving there assembly line with a two percent biodiesel blend”. Biodiesel has also been shown to improve mileage and extend the life of the fuel injector, fuel pump, and overall engine.

A University of Idaho study has found that Biodiesel can also increase power performance. Unmodified engines using vegetable oils were compared with engines using petroleum fuel. The engines using vegetable oils were shown to have a small increase in power. more info

Note: Higher blends of biodiesel can plug filters due to resins left behind by petroleum-based diesel. It is only a temporary problem and will recede with the continued use of biodiesel.