Researchers at North Dakota State University are beginning to test the properties of canola oil based-biodiesel.
The team will begin powering three tractors with a B20 blend using biodiesel derived from canola oil to measure exhaust, horsepower and affects on fuel system and engine components, then move to a B100 blend.
Most commercial biodiesel in the US comes from soybeans. By contrast, most European biodiesel is produced from rapeseed (the parent plant of canola)—some 40% of the European rapeseed crop went to biodiesel production in 2004.
Canola oilseeds are high in oil content (40%), while soybeans have an 18% oil content. From a processors's point of view, the higher oil content leads to higher yields.
It is still a relatively new crop, and appears to grow the best in the US in the Northern Plains. (Hence, North Dakota) There were a series of research projects undertaken some 10 years ago exploring the performance of canola-based biodiesel in the US, but apparently little recently.
The differences between the characteristics of rapeseed and canola biodiesel should be slight, if at all. But the studies should be useful.
I understand in Europe hemp is legal go grow. After reading about how easy it is to grow hemp with little chemicals, I'm curious if this would be a good crop for biodiesel when considering the full field to fuel cycle. I thought Mr. Diesel himself originally used hemp in his diesel engine.
Anyone know the story on hemp and it's future bio-diesel use?
According to past statements from the National Biodiesel Board, hemp biodiesel is a "novelty product", while biodiesel is not. So the NBB is staying away from the topic.
A few documents (Swiss research, Seedtec) indicate that hemp produces significantly less oil yield per hectare than rapeseed/canola.
I think it was the original Ford who was all pumped up about hemp.