How To Make Biodiesel

THE first fleet of tractors in the UK to run on 100 per cent biodiesel have arrived at Cornwall’s Eden Project. The four New Holland machines will emit 70 per cent less carbon dioxide than the ones they replace. They will also cut carbon monoxide emissions by half, particulates by 70 per cent and hydrocarbons by 40 per cent. The hope is the 20 litres of fuel each tractor requires daily will be supplied by local oilseed rape growers. The project is part of charity’s drive towards achieving carbon neutrality at the site, just outside St Austell. Given that Eden is an environmentally-focused attraction all about man’s relationship with plants and the environment, the project will become an exemplar for other businesses. The hope is that it will also encourage more farmers in the area to not only look at growing biofuels, but also using ‘greener’ machinery. Eden’s Gus Grand said: “The environmental benefits of the tractors are not solely due to the fuel. The engines are more efficient than our old ones. With these new tractors we are trying to drive people’s interest in green motoring forward. If we can do it, so can others.” Farmers are in a unique position to benefit from the use, and production, of biodiesel. However, many feel there are insufficient incentives from the Government to help the market ‘take off’ and give the UK any chance of hitting its targets. Biodiesel will undoubtedly have a role to play in terms of climate change as well as providing an alternative to dwindling oil reserves. As such, the target, set out in the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), is for 5 per cent of all UK fuel sold to be from a renewable source by 2010. This equates to around 1.35 billion litres of biodiesel. To achieve that, a total of 870,000 hectares of land would be required to grow 2.5 million tonnes of crops; the current capacity is 250,000 tonnes. New Holland’s Ron Perera said he was unsure there were enough incentives in place to achieve this. “It’s no good us alone shouting from the rooftops that we are ready in terms of biodiesel - it’s down to all of us,” he said. “But at the moment I’m not sure what incentive the obligation gives to farmers to drive tractors using 100 per cent biodiesel.” In practice, the RTFO will mostly be achieved by blending renewable fuel - like biodiesel and bioethanol - with fossil fuels. All existing vehicles are able to run on a 5 per cent blend of biofuel. This is the difference with the New Holland tractors at the Eden Project - they run on 100 per cent biodiesel adhering to the strict EN14214 standard, which ensures it is from sustainable European sources. At New Holland, they have committed to have 100 per cent biodiesel on all their equipment with Case New Holland mechanical engines. There was a rigorous selection process involving the main local dealers. This was all overseen by Fleetsolve, an independent sustainable transport consultancy. “The dealerships were really pushed,” said managing director Keith O’Connor. “The tractors needed to be able to operate on 100 per cent biodiesel without a perceivable loss in performance. “They also needed to have a positive and professional attitude, so we tested them on everything from last minute changes on spec to their ability to cope with emergency training. “We hope to use this as a testbed which can provide many more opportunities for agriculture in general.” By David Burrows Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

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