Permaflo Biodiesel
UAF Scientists were invited into a research project by the Indiana Soybean Alliance to test their new cold climate biodiesel copyrighted "Permaflo".
(This process is patented)
Add Urea (a common fertilizer) to oil from plants or fish (e.g. fish oil, soybean oil). The Urea attaches to the straight molecules that pack neatly, which are removed. All of the "kinked" molecules with double bonds (which cause the kinks) are separated and kept to prevent the permaflo from gelling up at temperatures below -67 degrees Fahrenheit. This biodiesel can run in vehicles, planes, generators, etc. without modification. This fuel is also a solvent, so it cleans your tank and engine (especially when converting to biodiesel) all of the buildup will have to go somewhere, so an air filter will probably be in order soon.
(Applied to Alaska)
A likely candidate for future fuel is canola oil. In Delta Junction there are canola farms making canola oil, but some isn't high enough quality for human consumption. The oil is, however, quality permaflo...in the making. Canola isn't perfect, though. Due to our short grow season, the canola has to be modified so that it will product seeds in time to harvest.
Now, what plant do we know that has a short growing season, and can produce seeds for oil? They haven't tested this new permaflo step on help oil, yet (officially). We think it should be done! Hemp would grow very well for an Alaskan summer and it's related to canola, so it's likely it will work well as permaflo biodiesel!
The information I have on permaflo was learned at a free lunch at Pike's Waterfront Lodge today (9 March 09).
(This process is patented)
Add Urea (a common fertilizer) to oil from plants or fish (e.g. fish oil, soybean oil). The Urea attaches to the straight molecules that pack neatly, which are removed. All of the "kinked" molecules with double bonds (which cause the kinks) are separated and kept to prevent the permaflo from gelling up at temperatures below -67 degrees Fahrenheit. This biodiesel can run in vehicles, planes, generators, etc. without modification. This fuel is also a solvent, so it cleans your tank and engine (especially when converting to biodiesel) all of the buildup will have to go somewhere, so an air filter will probably be in order soon.
(Applied to Alaska)
A likely candidate for future fuel is canola oil. In Delta Junction there are canola farms making canola oil, but some isn't high enough quality for human consumption. The oil is, however, quality permaflo...in the making. Canola isn't perfect, though. Due to our short grow season, the canola has to be modified so that it will product seeds in time to harvest.
Now, what plant do we know that has a short growing season, and can produce seeds for oil? They haven't tested this new permaflo step on help oil, yet (officially). We think it should be done! Hemp would grow very well for an Alaskan summer and it's related to canola, so it's likely it will work well as permaflo biodiesel!
The information I have on permaflo was learned at a free lunch at Pike's Waterfront Lodge today (9 March 09).