Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Why should I do business with you?
- Why is one extruder more than the other?
- Do you offer large scale seed presses than what you show on the website?
- In the extruding process how much oil do you get out?
- What is the clearance or tolerance of the press?
- Do I need to de-hull my Soy, Sunflower or Safflower seed?
- Why do you use Potassium Chloride (Potash) instead of Potassium Hydroxide (Lye)?
- Can you Extrude Algae in your presses?
- Where are the Extruders manufactured?
Why should I do business with you?
This company was started by a farmer hoping to make continuous, 24/7, self-sustaining biodiesel production a reality for other farmers. We provide farmers a complete system for creating and maintaining biodiesel production directly from their cropland. Depending on your fuel needs we offer many different solutions. From mid-range needs of 200 to 300 gallons a day to high-end users who need to produce 500 to 15,000+ gallons a day, we can provide you with everything you need to get started.
When working with us you won't just receive a press and then be left on your own (unless you want it that way). We are not a big warehouse and certainly do not have the big warehouse attitude towards our customers. We will be there for you to help get your system up and running.
Why is one extruder more than the other?
There are two main differences in why some units cost more than others.
The first is in the amount of biodiesel they can produce. We sell medium (100 gallons a day) to high production (500 to 15,000+ gallons a day) extruders. The more biodiesel the unit produces the more expensive it will be.
The second difference is in what comes with the unit. We sell both individual extruders, (meaning you only get the extruder and that's it) and we also sell complete systems that come with -- the extruder, two 300 (or 115) gallon processing tanks (needed to process or clean and store your oil), a 5 or 7.5 HP electric or 7.5 HP diesel motor (depends on which extruder you need) which runs the belt driven extruder, a thermostatically heated electric press which allows you to expel 90 to 95% of the oil within your seed, custom built shields and motor mount, one set of extra wear parts and finally instructions on how to assemble and make your own biodiesel.
Do you offer large scale seed presses than what you show on the website?
Yes, we sell two larger presses at this time. A 10 Ton and a 150 Ton. We usually sell the 150 Ton piggybacked with the 10 ton which allows for the highest yields of oil. If you'd like pricing on these we can send you information, just give us a call at (360)815-7061 or email us at hunter@croplandbiodiesel.com
In the extruding process how much oil do you get out?
With our machines we are able to expel 90 to 95% of the the percentage of oil from the seed with our heated press. So, take Soybeans for example, they contain 12-18% oil, of that percentage we take out 90 to 95% (run through our press twice) of that number. Canola, having a higher percentage of oil (40-45%), using our heated oil press, we can take out 90 to 95% (run through our press once) of the 35% found in the seed. The great thing is that the meal (or cake) is very high in protein. Again, using our Soybean as an example; its meal has a high level of protein, about 45% - where Sunflower meal has about 25%. The meal is an excellent feed for beef, swine, poultry and other livestock. Also, the meal can be sold at around 200 dollars a ton and as an example, one ton of Canola makes approx. 100 gallons of biofuel.
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Oil Producing Plants per Acre/Ton
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Crop
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Oil% per Ton
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Lbs. Oil/Acre
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US Gal/Acre
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Gal of Oil/Ton
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Lbs. of Meal/Ton
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Cotton
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30-35%
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244
|
35
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82
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1400
|
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Soybean
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12-18%
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335
|
48
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46.5
|
1700
|
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Linseed (Flax)
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35-40%
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359
|
51
|
96
|
1300
|
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Mustard Seed
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35-40%
|
430
|
61
|
96
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1300
|
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Sesame
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35-40%
|
522
|
74
|
96
|
1300
|
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Safflower
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38-45%
|
585
|
83
|
98
|
1200
|
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Sunflowers
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40-45%
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714
|
102
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123
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1200
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Camelina Sativa
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40-45%
|
750
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102
|
123
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1200
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Peanuts
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40-45%
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795
|
113
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123
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1200
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Rapeseed
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38-45%
|
795
|
127
|
96
|
1300
|
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Canola
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40-45%
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975
|
133
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110
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1200
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Pecan Nuts
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45-50%
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1344
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191
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123
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1100
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Approximate Gallons of Oil Per Day
Based on Seed Crop & Extruder Used |
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Extruders
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Seed Crops
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Cotton
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Soy
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Linseed
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Mustard
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Sesame
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Safflower
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|
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CLB-100
(1 ton) |
82
|
46.5
|
96
|
96
|
96
|
98
|
|
CLB-300
(3 ton) |
246
|
139.5
|
288
|
288
|
288
|
294
|
|
CLB-500
(5 ton) |
410
|
232.5
|
480
|
480
|
480
|
490
|
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CLB-1000
(10 ton) |
820
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460.5
|
960
|
960
|
960
|
980
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CLB-1500
(150 ton) |
12,300
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6,975
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14,400
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14,400
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14,400
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14,700
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| Extruders (continued) |
Seed Crops (continued)
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Sunflowers
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Camelina
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Peanuts
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Rape
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Canola
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Pecan
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|
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CLB-100
(1 ton) |
123
|
123
|
123
|
96
|
110
|
123
|
|
CLB-300
(3 ton) |
369
|
369
|
369
|
288
|
330
|
369
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CLB-500
(5 ton) |
615
|
615
|
615
|
480
|
550
|
615
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CLB-1000
(10 ton) |
1230
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1230
|
1230
|
960
|
1100
|
1230
|
|
CLB-1500
(150 ton) |
18,450
|
18,450
|
18,450
|
14,400
|
16,500
|
18,450
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What is the clearance or tolerance of the press?
As for clearance tolerance, it's all adjustable, and as an example; the cake/meal can be run out at .5mm thickness for the smallest setting and up to 9.5mm (3/8 in). By tightening or loosening the rings on the screw press you can get similar results and even finer control... tightening it down metal to metal (which we wouldn't advise.)
Do I need to de-hull my Soy, Sunflower or Safflower seed?
No, it is not necessary. As the oil is expelled from the meat the hull gets expelled into the meal creating high quality meal with no trypsin inhibitors. You can extrude the seed strait from the combine, and as a rule of thumb, if it's clean enough to plant, it's clean enough to extrude. So,as an example, if you have some 5 year old seed sitting around, (which you wouldn't plant), you wouldn't want to run it through the press either... it's too dry at this point and you won't get much out of it.
Why do you use Potassium Chloride (Potash) instead of Potassium Hydroxide (Lye)?
You may know that you can also use potassium hydroxide (the more common chem. to use), also known as Lye to make biodiesel, but it is extremely hazardous for the person using it as well as the environment (if not handle appropriately). We've found that using potassium chloride, which is Potash an ingredient in fertilizers, is much safer (for both handler and the environment) and does just as good or better job of it. It's also biodegradable. It's also cheaper and easier to find. Your local feed store should have Potash.
We've used Potassium Chloride (potash) successfully in our Biodiesel and have found it safer and more cost effective than using Lye. We use 13.25 grams per gallon of Potash and 20% per gallon of methanol. It's also more environmentally friendly.
Can you Extrude Algae in your presses?
We have not tried it but have heard that it can be done using extruders like ours and running dried algae through it. Apparently there is no loss in oil regardless of if it's dried or not. Here's an article about the process as well as other useful info about this up and coming high oil yield crop. http://www.oilgae.com/algae/oil/biod/ref/ref.html
Where are the Extruders manufactured?
They are made in China. The auger is made of high tinsel strength steel and the unit's housing is made of cast iron. We have been to the factory there where they make these units and they have been running for 16 to 20+ years 24/7. The only maintenance they do is switching out the wear parts every 4-6 months and oiling the lubrication points. Please note that your machine comes with a one year warranty and it comes with one set of extra wear parts (not included in the warranty). Also note that these parts can be purchased at any time on our web site here.