Well, it does sound crazy on the surface. However, it's actually not. There have been all kinds of experiments using kitchen grease to create bio-diesel. And while Tallow derived bio-diesel does strike some folks as impossible, it's actually been tested successfully:
westbioenergy.org
agproducts.unl.edu
arserrc.gov
mhr-viandes.com (this is an excellent link)
webconx.com
"Nebraska leads the nation in commercial cattle slaughter, producing about 1 billion pounds of tallow annually. That tallow could provide the cheapest large quantity source of raw materials for biodiesel available. To help producers of beef tallow capitalize on this material, the Industrial Agricultural Products Center has developed new uses for it.
Researchers have combined 65 percent of tallow methyl esters with 35 percent of fuel ethanol. Mixing 20 percent of this blend with 80 percent No. 2 diesel resulted in a fuel with a viscosity identical to diesel alone. Engine performance was good."
The method most commonly used to convert fats and oils into biodiesel is transesterification. The products of the conversion are alcohol esters and glycerol. With a new processing system, the IAPC expects to make smaller manufacuring facilities economically competitive, and compatible with rural communities. Small-scale biodiesel processing facilities could eventually provide a base for other bioprocessing opportunities. For example, facilities might be adapted to extract tallow's components to make other products such as lubricants, solvents, polymers, and plastics."
ianrwww.unl.edu
Now one of the other issues is that in the UK, they are storing millions of tons of BSE (hoof and mouth) contaminated tallow that they have to find a way to dispose of. Converting it to Bio-Diesel would be quite lucrative to any company able to gain free access to such a supply, and/or receive government subsidies to take care of it:
acmedsci.ac.uk
"The report also points out that over 430,000 tonnes of meat and bone meal, possibly contaminated with BSE, and a further 200,000 tonnes of tallow are being stored in the UK until they can be safely disposed. Storage of this waste is costly and there is always the danger of leaks into the environment through, for example, infestation by rodents or invertebrates, which might then cause a health hazard.
Prof Heap said: “We believe that the authorities should consider eliminating this waste with meat-eating bacteria, or through incineration without air at 850 degrees Celsius to provide gases that could be burnt to generate electricity.”
(Note: I believe the UK contract that GRNO has may be looking into gaining access to processing that contaminated tallow. That would be VERY HIGH visibility there for GRNO's technology)
avma.org
solstice.crest.org.
And such a bio-diesel would DEFINITELY qualify as an Alternative Fuel Oil and thus be eligible for alternative fuel credits.
Something to think about before you and others scoff about "making candles".
Hawk |
