New UC Davis process yields more biodiesel fuel from oilseed crops

DailyDemocrat.com (Woodland, CA)
Created: 02/20/2010 05:30:10 AM PST

Yields of biodiesel from oilseed crops such as safflower could be increased by up to 24 percent using a new process developed by chemists at UC Davis.

The method converts both plant oils and carbohydrates into biodiesel in a single process, and should also improve the performance characteristics of biodiesel, especially in cold weather.

A paper describing the method, which has been patented, is online in the journal Energy & Fuels.

Read the full story

Utah’s Freeway-to-Fuel uses idle roadsides, airport, military lands for biofuels production

Biofuels Digest
September 18, 2009 Jim Lane

In Utah, the “Freeways-to-Fuel” project, sponsored by the Utah Department of Transportation, US Department of Transportation, New Holland Agriculture and the National Biodiesel Board, has identified 200 acres of vacant lands near the Salt Lake City Airport that will be used for an expansion of safflower cultivation using idle lands along roadsides, and near military bases, airports and local municipalities.

The project currently being trialed at the Utah Botanical Center, advocated the use of idle lands to reduce up to $300 per mile in roadside maintenance costs, and cultivating safflower, canola and soybeans to produce protein for humans and livestock, and vegetable oil for biodiesel.

Read the full story