Cost implications of feedstock combinations for community sized biodiesel production
- Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, MO (United States)
Biodiesel can be processed from oilseeds or animal fats and used in unmodified diesel engines. This fuel has been produced commercially in Europe for three years. Research indicates that biodiesel can replace diesel fuel without causing harmful effects to an unmodified engine and can reduce harmful emissions . Some European biodiesel plants operate at the community level effectively supplying both fuel and animal feeds. This study examines multiple feedstocks that could be utilized by a community sized biodiesel plant. The model plant used is a 500,000 gallon processing facility. The model plant is assumed to be installed in an existing grain handling facility or feed mill. Animal fats would be purchased from outside sources and oilseeds would be provided by area producers. Producers would retain ownership of the oilseeds and pay a processing fee to the cooperative. Oilseeds would be extruded before being separated into meal and crude oil. The crude oil would be esterified into biodiesel using continuous flow esterification technology. This study concludes under specific conditions, biodiesel can be processed economically at the community level. The results indicate that without farm program benefits to minor oilseeds, soybeans are the most economic feedstock to use in a community based operation. Realistic price information suggests that biodiesel (from soybeans) could be produced for $1.26 per gallon. If producers participate in government programs and are capable of growing minor oilseeds, canola may represent a better feedstock than soybeans. Achieving the lowest costs of production depends on the value assigned to co-product credits such as oilseed meal. The more producers pay for high protein meal for their livestock and poultry, the lower the residual price of biodiesel.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 140205
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/CP-200-5768-Vol.2; CONF-9308106-Vol.2; ON: DE94000435; TRN: 93:003832-0009
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 1. biomass conference of the Americas: energy, environment, agriculture, and industry, Burlington, VT (United States), 30 Aug - 2 Sep 1993; Other Information: PBD: [1993]; Related Information: Is Part Of First Biomass Conference of the Americas: Energy, environment, agriculture, and industry; Proceedings, Volume 2; PB: 711 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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09 BIOMASS FUELS
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
VEGETABLE OILS
DIESEL FUELS
BIOMASS CONVERSION PLANTS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ANIMAL FEEDS
PRODUCTION
BIOMASS
FATS
DIESEL ENGINES
EUROPE
TESTING
ESTERIFICATION
SOYBEANS
SOYBEAN OIL
COST ESTIMATION
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SYNTHETIC FUELS