Manufacturing Cocoa

High quality cocoa powder must be easily dissolved and have good flavor. The beans used for the manufacture of cocoa are selected especially for this purpose.

After roasting and winnowing (removing the outer shell from the cacao beans) they are ground making cocoa liquor. The heat which is generated melts the cocoa fat thus generating a liquor, and sometimes additional heating is employed. The liquor hardens to unsweetened chocolate when it cools below 95 degrees F / 35 degrees C.

Pressure is employed to the cocoa liquid (while slightly heated) to remove some of the fat which is also called cocoa butter. The remaining cocoa solids contains 10-25% cocoa butter depending on brand. The solids are then ground to cocoa powder. Sometimes the cocoa is made alkaline by treatment with potassium carbonate; this is called Dutched cocoa. This gives a darker color and a stronger flavor. American recipes are usually made for natural cocoa powder, which has a higher acidity. Therefore baking soda may be used in recipes with natural cocoa. Baking soda should not be used with Dutched cocoa unless an acid ingredient is added, e.g. orange juice or sour cream. Cocoa used for cooking is normally unsweetened.

Natural cocoa powder.

Dutched cocoa powder

For more information about the process of manufacturing cocoa at a small cocoa plant, see the process description by the Grenada Chocolate Company.

Source : Cacaoweb.net

Cocoa Balls

Cocoa Balls - In many cacao-producing countries the cacao beans are locally used for making "cocoa tea". The fermented beans are ground to a fine paste, mixed with spices, and rolled into balls which are dried (in Jamaica and some other countries the ground cocoa is rolled into sticks or made into cubes instead of balls). These balls (or cubes or sticks) are used for making "cocoa tea", which in other countries is called a "hot cup of chocolate".

The cocoa balls contain both the cocoa powder and the cocoa butter which is naturally present in the cacao beans (the cacao beans contain approximately 50% cocoa butter) which means that the flavor of the final "tea" is very rich and similar to making hot chocolate using a dark chocolate bar dissolved in hot milk/water mixture.

Cocoa balls from Grenada.

Several types of cocoa balls are made; you can find variations in size, in the quality of the cocoa beans used, in the amount of grinding, and in the content of spices.

Cacao cubes from Grenada

When used the cocoa balls are dissolved in boiling water, strained, and sugar and milk is added to taste. Usually one ball gives 1-2 cups of final "cocoa tea".

Related posts:

Drying and Roasting Cacao Beans

When the fermentation is terminated the cacao beans are sun-dried. At this stage the smell of cocoa can be observed. In small plantations the fermented beans are spread by hand, and later turned over by hand or foot. In Central America the beans are dried on wooden floors which can be covered by a sliding roof if it starts to rain. On larger plantations electric dryers are used.

The drying process takes 1-2 weeks, and during that period the color changes from reddish brown to dark brown. The beans are then polished by a machine to obtain an improved visual appearance. Previously the beans were polished by "dancing the cacao beans"; the dancers polished the beans with their feet in a dance-like manner.

Drying fermented cacao beans (Grenada)

The cacao beans are then packed for domestic consumption or for export to cocoa and chocolate manufacturers.

Drying fermented cacao beans (Grenada)

The cacao beans are sometimes treated by alkali in a process called "Dutching". This process removes some of the acidity of the beans and gives a more smooth flavor and a darker color of the cocoa.

Before making cocoa and chocolate the beans are roasted to develop the final chocolate flavor. The temperature and time of roasting affects the flavor and color of the chocolate. Finally the shells are removed ("winnowed") from the roasted beans, and the beans are ready for making chocolate paste, cocoa, cocoa butter and chocolate.

Source : Cacaoweb.net

Fermentation of Cacao

The cacao fruits are opened and the pulp and seeds are transferred to larger containers. This is either performed by farmers, plantation workers, or in large cocoa factories where it can be done by machines.

The cacao beans are later transferred to wooden crates or baskets with banana leaves in between and on top to enable an optimal fermentation. The duration of the fermentation depends on the variety and is from 2 to more than 7 days. The length of the fermentation also affects the aroma, so if well-developed aroma is wanted the beans are fermentation for a longer time.

The fermentation process transforms the flavor to what we associate with cocoa and chocolate. Without the fermentation process there will not be any chocolate flavor.

Opened cacao fruit (Photo: iStockphoto)

Cacao beans ready for fermentation (Grenada)

The cacao beans are later transferred to wooden crates or baskets with banana leaves in between and on top to enable an optimal fermentation. The duration of the fermentation depends on the variety and is from 2 to more than 7 days. The length of the fermentation also affects the aroma, so if well-developed aroma is wanted the beans are fermentation for a longer time.

Source : Cacaoweb.net

About the Cacao Tree

The cacao tree (Theobroma Cacao) is grown in the tropics in a band between 10 to 20 degrees north and south of the equator, sometimes called the "Cocoa Belt". The tree is often grown in the shades of other trees. It can be as tall as 40 feet (12 meters), and has fruits (pods) which are more than on foot (30 cm) long. The fruits may be brownish-yellow to purple, and contain 20-40 seeds or cacao beans in a pink, sweet-sour pulp.

The cacao tree is cultivated in many countries, but today the leading suppliers are Ivory Coast, Ghana, Indonesia, Nigeria, Brazil, Cameroon, Ecuador, Dominican Republic and Papua New Guinea. Other well-known manufacturing countries are Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, some Caribbean islands like Grenada and Cuba, and some Pacific islands like Samoa. For more information see the International Cocoa Organization.

Cacao fruits (Trinitario) in Grenada (the Caribbean)

Four major types of cacao are cultivated: Criollo, Forastero, Trinitario and Nacional. The Criollo tree originates in Mexico and Central America and gives very high quality cacao beans and is mainly cultivated in South and Central America. The yield is fairly low. A number of varieties of Criollo are cultivated; in Venezuela well-known varieties are Chuao, Porcelana, Puerto Cabello and Carupano. Criollo beans are often mixed with other varieties of cacao when making chocolate.

Harvested fruits (Photo: iStockphoto.com)

The Forastero is very much cultivated in Africa, but also in Central and South America and constitutes approximately 80% of world production of cacao. This tree grows faster and gives higher yield than other types of cacao. A number of varieties are cultivated, in Venezuela excellent varieties are Carenero Superior, Caracas Natural and Rio Caribe. The Amenolado variety produces delicate, aromatic beans and is cultivated primarily in Ecuador.

The Trinitario is a crossbreed between the Forastero and Criollo, and is mainly cultivated in Central and South America and Asia. It has its aroma from Criollo and its resistance to disease and its productivity from Forastero.

The Nacional is mostly cultivated in South America west of the Andes. It is prone to disease and difficult to grow, but has an excellent aroma.

The flavor of the cacao beans is not only dependent on the variety, but also on the soil, temperature, sunshine and rainfall. It is now possible to buy chocolates made with cacao beans from one single region and thus compare the aromas; these chocolates are often called specialty chocolates, in contrast to ordinary chocolate which are made with mostly cheap cacao beans from several regions and with more than one cacao variety.

The Aztecs used the cocoa bean to produce a beverage called xocoatl. The cocoa bean was introduced to Spain in the 16th century. The first chocolate bar was made in Switzerland in 1819, and in 1875 the milk chocolate was invented. For more information about this history of cocoa and chocolate, see Godiva's Chocolate History page.

Source : Cacaoweb.net

Biodiesel Sustainability Fact Sheet

Sustainability Principles

• The National Biodiesel Board has made sustainability in climate change mitigation, human rights, food security, and respect for all natural resources a top priority. That’s why the industry has adopted and follows guiding principles that demonstrate our commitment to a full spectrum of sustainability tenets.
• Biodiesel producers are already providing a very sustainable fuel, and these principles are another way we're ensuring that as our industry grows it continues to improve quality of life, safeguard the environment, and strengthen economies.
• Biodiesel improves air quality; it's renewable and it's creating green-collar jobs in our communities. The NBB is committed to keeping biodiesel on the cutting-edge of sustainability.

Energy Balance

• Biodiesel has a very high “energy balance.” Newly published research from the University of Idaho and U.S. Department of Agriculture show that for every unit of fossil energy needed to produce biodiesel, the return is 4.5 units of energy. Biodiesel made from soybean oil has a high energy balance because the main energy source used to grow soybeans is solar.
• The “energy balance” takes into account the planting, harvesting, fuel production and fuel transportation to the end user. As a result of modern farming techniques and energy efficiencies, biodiesel’s energy balance continues to improve.
• In contrast, regular fossil fuel biodiesel has a negative energy balance.

Water Conservation

• Crops are not irrigated or planted solely to produce biodiesel. Conversion of these co-products and byproducts uses very little water -- the entire U.S. biodiesel industry used less processing water in 2008 than it took to irrigate two golf courses in the Sunbelt.
• A 1998 jointly produced U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy “cradle to grave” analysis of biodiesel’s production found it reduces wastewater by 79% and reduces hazardous waste production by 96% compared to petroleum diesel.

Land Conservation

• The USDA reports that U.S. acreage for crop production has not increased since 1959.
• Major land use changes in the United States that would endanger environmentally sensitive lands are not expected due to biofuels. In fact, there are very solid federal and state laws in place to help ensure these lands remain undisturbed.
• Crop production in the U.S. is trending significantly toward utilizing more conservation practices, and advances in agriculture are leading to higher yields and lower inputs with the same acreage.
• The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has calculated that of the land that could be used for agriculture today, only 3.7 billion acres of the 10.4 billion acres are used, and of that, only 1% of that area is used for biofuels, which includes ethanol.

EPA’s Proposed RFS Rule and Indirect Land Use Change

• We recognize that statute requires the EPA to consider significant indirect emissions when calculating a renewable fuel’s emission profile. This does not require the EPA to rely on faulty data and to fabricate unrealistic scenarios that punish the U.S. biodiesel industry for wholly unrelated land use decisions in South America.
• It defies logic and reality that the EPA is holding U.S. biodiesel responsible for hypothetical planting decisions made decades in the future in other parts of the world. Data show that land area used for soybean production in Brazil actually decreased between 2004 and 2009, while U.S. biodiesel production climbed to 700 million gallons a year.
• Soybean crops are not grown for the intent of biodiesel production. All over the world, soybeans are grown primarily for their protein meal, used in food and livestock feed. In processing the soybean meal, soybean oil is a co-product, and it is that oil that is used to make biodiesel.
• There is no credible science that gives credence to indirect land use change when it comes to biodiesel. The basis for EPA’s methodology on indirect land use change is a “study” by lawyer Tim Searchinger. According to a review conducted by the Department of Energy, “The Searchinger study is “plagued by incorrect or unrealistic assumptions, and obsolete data.”
• The fact is that applying EPA’s modeling to biodiesel production, but not petroleum production, is dangerously discriminatory. How can one fairly compare “indirect carbon emissions” from biodiesel production but not assign any indirect carbon emissions to oil production? If implemented, this rule would simply ensure America’s dependence on foreign oil for decades to come.

Food Supply Security

• Biodiesel is not made by grinding up soybeans into fuel. Soybeans have two components – oil and protein meal. The meal represents the majority of the soybean, and is used in food and livestock feed. Biodiesel uses only the oil portion of the soybean.
• By creating a new market for the soybean oil that is coproduced, the overall value of the bean increases, and the meal portion becomes more cost competitive for protein markets. This has a net positive impact on the food supply.
• Biodiesel does not impact food prices like the big food companies would have you believe. For example, in the last quarter of 2008 biodiesel production was near an industry high at more than 60 million gallons per month, yet in that same time frame soybean commodities were selling at near record lows. And if that’s not enough, even as commodity prices fell, food prices barely budged.
• Biodiesel produced from America’s soybeans only uses approximately 3 percent of the nation’s soybean harvest annually.
• Biodiesel uses only the oil portion of the soybean, leaving all of the protein available to nourish livestock and humans.
• In 2008, biodiesel produced from soybeans co-produced enough soybean meal for the equivalent of 115 billion rations of protein for the hungry in developing countries.

Diversity

• Biodiesel is the most diverse fuel on the planet. It is made from regionally available, renewable resources that are abundant in the U.S., including soybeanoil, other plant oils, recycled restaurant grease and beef tallow and other fats.
• The increased demand for biodiesel is stimulating research and investment in developing new materials to make biodiesel, such as algae, camelina, jatropha, other arid land crops, and waste materials like trap grease The result is that we will see additional feedstock volumes coming from fallow or low production lands and utilizing innovative technologies. 
• According to a study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, domestic feedstocks for biodiesel totaled 1.6 billion gallons (including greases, animal fats, and vegetable oils). NREL anticipates the natural growth and expansion of existing feedstocks (soy, canola, and sunflowers) will expand feedstock supplies for an additional 1.8 billion gallons by 2016.

Cleaner Air & Health Effects

• DOE and USDA say biodiesel reduces life cycle carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, by 78 percent.1 Biodiesel also significantly reduces EPA-regulated emissions with direct impact to human health.
• Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to voluntarily complete EPA Tier I and Tier II testing to quantify emission characteristics and health effects.
• Breathing particulate has been shown to be a human health hazard. The exhaust emissions of particulate matter from biodiesel are about 47 percent lower than overall particulate matter emissions from diesel. 1
• Biodiesel emissions show dramatically decreased levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (75 to 85 percent) and nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (90 percent to trace levels), which have been identified as potential cancer causing compounds.
• As a result of the health benefits of biodiesel, some chapters of the American Lung Association have pledged their support for use of the alternative fuel. 

1 In May of 1998, the US Department of Energy (DOE) and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the results of the Biodiesel Lifecycle Inventory Study. This 3.5-year study followed US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and private industry approved protocols for conducting this type of research.

VW: Biodiesel statement

Standard forecourt fuel (BS EN590): approved

15 December 2008

Legislation introduced on 15 April 2008 insists that fuel suppliers must use at least 2.5 per cent biofuel in diesel production. Filling-station forecourts supply diesel (to the standard BS EN590) that can contain up to five per cent biodiesel and 95 per cent fossil fuel. Volkswagen Group approves the use of diesel fuel containing up to five per cent biodiesel in all of its diesel vehicles. The use of this fuel requires no modifications to the vehicle or changes to the vehicles’ maintenance schedules.

Important: BS EN590 is approved for vehicles fitted with a diesel particulate filter (DPF).

B30 biodiesel: not approved

Volkswagen Group does not approve the use of B30 biodiesel in any of its vehicles. B30 biodiesel is a blend of 70 per cent fossil fuel and 30 per cent biofuel, derived from fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). The use of this fuel in Volkswagen Group vehicles may invalidate the engine and exhaust system warranty.

100 per cent biodiesel: approved for some vehicles

Some Volkswagen Group vehicle models are approved to run on 100 per cent Rapeseed Methyl Ester (RME) biodiesel. Parts fitted during a vehicle’s manufacture that are compatible with this fuel are denoted by the vehicle PR code 2G0. This is found on the data sticker in the service book or boot floor/spare wheel well. However, some older vehicles may not have this PR code. Always refer to the owner’s handbook and Factory information about the vehicle’s compliance with biodiesel before using this fuel type.

In vehicles that are 100 per cent biodiesel compatible, Volkswagen Group has only approved the use of RME to the standard DIN EN 14214. No other biodiesel can be used.

Important:

• Vehicles that do not have the Factory preparation for biodiesel cannot use 100 per cent biodiesel
• Vehicles fitted with a common-rail fuel injection system cannot use 100 per cent biodiesel
• Vehicles fitted with pumpe-düse injectors cannot use 100 per cent biodiesel
• Vehicles fitted with a DPF must not use 100 per cent biodiesel or B30 biodiesel. However, EN590 containing up to five per cent biodiesel is approved for use with DPFs
• 100 per cent biodiesel vehicles cannot be used in temperatures below -10°C
• The use of 100 per cent biodiesel may slightly reduce the driving performance of the vehicle and slightly increase fuel consumption
• The use of 100 per cent biodiesel may require more frequent maintenance

 

Volkswagen vehicles’ compatibility with biodiesel fuels

Biodiesel FAQ

What is Biodiesel?

Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a Biodiesel blend. It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, non-toxic, and essentially free of sulphur and aromatics.

Why Biodiesel?

The use of blended Biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine results in substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. The use of Biodiesel decreases the solid carbon fraction of particulate matter (since the oxygen in Biodiesel enables more complete combustion to CO ), 2 reduces the sulphate fraction, while the soluble, or hydrocarbon, fraction stays the same or is increased.

What are the benefits?

Because it is renewable and domestically produced, Biodiesel fits well to help ensure reduced reliance on imported petroleum products with domestic alternative fuels. While its emissions profile is lower, Biodiesel functions in the engine the same as petroleum diesel with reduced emissions. Biodiesel can be substituted for diesel with essentially no engine modifications, and maintains the payload capacity and range of diesel.

Can I use Biodiesel in my existing diesel engine?

Biodiesel can be operated in any diesel engine with little or no modification to the engine or the fuel system. Biodiesel has a solvent effect which may release deposits accumulated on tank walls and pipes from previous diesel fuel storage. The release of deposits may clog filters initially and precautions should be taken. Ensure that only fuel meeting the Biodiesel specification is used.

Do I need special storage facilities?

In general, the standard storage and handling procedures used for petroleum diesel can be used for Biodiesel. The fuel should be stored in a clean, dry, dark environment.

Is Biodiesel safe?

Tests sponsored by the US Department of Agriculture confirm that Biodiesel is less toxic than petroleum diesel and biodegrades as fast as dextrose (a test sugar). In addition, Biodiesel has a flash point of over 150°C which makes it safer to store and handle than petroleum diesel fuel.

Has Biodiesel been thoroughly tested?

Extensive USA and European tests indicate that performance, fuel mileage and drivability with Biodiesel blends were similar to conventional diesel, but opacity levels were reduced and exhaust odour was less offensive. No adverse durability or engine wear problems were noted.

The Biodiesel industry also has commissioned more than 40 independent studies to research benefits ranging from improved lubricity to biodegradability.

Is Biodiesel the same thing as raw vegetable oil?

No! Biodiesel is produced from any fat or oil such as tallow, soybean and canola oil, through a refinery process called trans-esterification. This process is a reaction of the oil with an alcohol to remove the glycerin, which is a by-product of Biodiesel production. Fuel-grade Biodiesel must be produced to strict industry specifications (ASTM D6751) in order to insure proper performance. Raw vegetable oil cannot meet Biodiesel fuel specifications, it is not registered with the Department of the Environment & Heritage (DEH), and it is not a legal motor fuel.

Is Biodiesel used as a pure fuel or is it blended with petroleum diesel?

Biodiesel can be used as a pure fuel or blended with diesel petroleum in any percentage. In Australia, any Biodiesel must first meet the Biodiesel Standard, and subsequent blends with mineral diesel, must meet the Diesel Standard.

How do Biodiesel emissions compare to petroleum diesel?

In the US, Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act. The use of Biodiesel in a conventional dieselengine results in substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter compared to emissions from diesel fuel. In addition, the exhaust emissions of sulphur oxides and sulphates (major components of acid rain) from Biodiesel are essentially eliminated compared to diesel.

Can Biodiesel help mitigate “global warming”?

A 1998 Biodiesel lifecycle study, jointly sponsored by the US Department of Energy and the US Department of Agriculture, concluded Biodiesel reduces net CO emissions by 2 78 percent compared to petroleum diesel. This is due to the closed carbon cycle of Biodiesel. The CO released into the atmosphere when Biodiesel is burned is recycled 2 by growing plants, which are later processed into fuel. Is Biodiesel safer than petroleum diesel? Scientific research confirms that Biodiesel exhaust has a less harmful impact on human health than petroleum diesel fuel. Biodiesel emissions have decreased levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitrited PAH compounds that have been identified as potential cancer causing compounds.

Test results indicate PAH compounds were reduced by 75 to 85 percent, with the exception of benzo(a)anthracene, which was reduced by roughly 50 percent. Targeted nPAH compounds were also reduced dramatically with Biodiesel fuel, with 2-nitrofluorene and 1-nitropyrene reduced by 90 percent, and the rest of the nPAH compounds reduced to only trace levels.

Who else can benefit from Biodiesel?

The reduction of our dependence on imported fuel and the introduction of a renewable technology benefit the entire country. The range of benefits includes:

• Growth in rural economies.
• Reduced dependence on imported fuel.
• Improvement in Australia's balance of trade.
• Massive reduction in greenhouse emissions.
• Reduction of sulphur dioxide, one of the main causes of acid rain.
• Reduction of other cancer causing emissions such as benzene.

Biodiesel Resources in the SF Bay Area

Diesel passenger car info:

• Future of diesel vehicles:  http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_future.html
• List of diesel vehicle Models - http://www.gobiodiesel.com/diesel-vehicles.html
• Mercedes Models -  http://home.hiwaay.net/~gbf/mbmodels.html
• Volkswagen Westfalia Diesel - http://www.cs.rochester.edu/u/jag/vw/
• Volkswagen TDI -  "TDI Club - Forum": http://www.tdiclub.com - also a biodiesel section of the forum and cover all VW issues including warranty

Diesel vehicles for sale:

• Craigslist- getting quite expensive and competitive for diesels-  www.craigslist.org
• Autotrader - www.autotrader.com
• Yahoo Classifieds  -  http://autos.yahoo.com/
• Bay Classifieds , Diablo Dealer,  Classified Flea Market -  weekly classifieds newspapers
• iodiesel Discussion Forum contains a small classified section: http://biodiesel.infopop.cc
• Frank Baba in Redding rebuilds Mercedes Wagons (530) 941-4046

Diesel mechanics:

• Coby Smolens -ValleyWagonworks in San Rafael, (415)457-5628 cobys5@attbi.com 
• Mac Jacobson- Mercedes Custom, Fremont. Does a pre-purchase checkup. 510-793 3126
• Precision People’s Car Repair- 1346 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley 510 524 1911 -older Volkswagen
• Noric at Auto Alpina- 1499 san pablo ave, 510 524 5164
• Peter Zoldos in Suisun peter@autozen.com
• Steve Moran of Moran Motorsports in Berkeley 548-7171
• David Pham in Oakland - pager: (510) 310-2060

Biodiesel Basics:

• Ecology Center Biodiesel FAQs  -  http://www.ecologycenter.org/resource_cntr/fact_sheets/biodiesel/biodiesel.html
• Making biodiesel: http://www.journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html
• "Biodiesel Homebrewers' Guide," ($10 from wrench@tinkersworkshop.org) on making and testing biodiesel.
• Monthly email listing of local biodiesel or SVO events and classes: www.groups.yahoo.com/group/norcal-biodiesel-events
• book “From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank” not recommended for how-to homebrewing information, lots of general info, only book in print so far about biodiesel
• open source biodiesel homebrew equipment discssion: www.veggieavenger.com/media

Buying Biodiesel:

• Yokayo Biofuels will deliver biodiesel for a fee (price depends on quantity purchase) - www.ybiofuels.org  (707) 472-0900, public pump in Ukiah.  info@ybiofuels.org.
• BioFuel Oasis in West Berkeley: 2465 4th Street @ Dwight Berkeley, CA 94710   510.665.5509  www.biofueloasis.com  Open Tuesday, Thursday nights, and Saturday and Sunday afternoons
• Western States Oil- San Jose, public pump (408) 2929-1041. No minimum purchase, not cardlock, limited hours - closed on weekends.
• Golden Gate Petroleum in Martinez (800) 244-4516
• Real Goods Solar Living Institute in Hopland (1.5 hours North of SF) public pump supplied by Yokayo. (707) 744-2017
• Biofuel Station- Laytonville (north Mendocino County on Hwy 101): 707 984 6818

Biodiesel Resources

• Local community: Burnveggies (email listserve for Northern CA) online biodiesel and straight vegetable oil discussion.  To join, sign up on the web at www.goblin.punk.net/mailman/listinfo/burnveggies
• Biodiesel Events in this area: www.groups.yahoo.com/group/norcal-biodiesel-events
• www.journeytoforever.org (best general biodiesel website)
• www.veggieavenger.com
• Biodiesel Discussion Forums- for SVO and homebrew biodiesel: http: //biodiesel.infopop.cc
• Biodiesel Now- commercial biodiesel and policy discussion forum- www.biodieselnow.com
• "Fat of the Land" video on vegetable oil fuels www.lardcar.com
• Biodiesel events in Northern California http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NorCal-biodiesel-events

Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) conversion kits:

• http://www.biofuels.ca
• http://www.greasel.com
• www.elsbett.com (single tank system from Germany)
• Neoteric Biofuels Inc. single tank kit local contact: Craig Reese in craigreece@earthlink.net  or 510-841-3607, 1-888-NEOTERIC (1-888-636-8374)
• SVO intallers: contact Craigreece @ earthlink.net

(updated June 5, 2004)

Q&A for Biodiesel

Q. What is Biodiesel? 

A. Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.

Q. Can you only make biodiesel out of soy oil? 

A. No. Biodiesel can be produced from any vegetable oil including plants like sunflower, peanut, and rapeseed (canola). It can even be produced from previously used oils like restaurant waste grease and animal fats.  Currently, the biodiesel facility in N. Charleston (SE Biodiesel) is using waste grease and Farmers & Truckers Biodiesel may use chicken fat. Research is underway in South Carolina to develop more sustainable sources of oil including algae oil which could produce thousands of gallons of oil in a single acre of algae.

Q. Is Biodiesel the same thing as raw vegetable oil?

A. No. Biodiesel is produced from any fat or oil such as soybean oil, through a refinery process called transesterification. This process is a reaction of the oil with an alcohol to remove the glycerin, which is a by-product of biodiesel production. Fuel-grade biodiesel must be produced to strict industry specifications (ASTM D6751) in order to insure proper performance. Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. Biodiesel that meets ASTM D6751 and is legally registered with the Environmental Protection Agency is a legal motor fuel for sale and distribution. Raw vegetable oil cannot meet biodiesel fuel specifications, it is not registered with the EPA, and it is not a legal motor fuel.

Q. Is biodiesel used as a pure fuel or is it blended with petroleum diesel?

A. Biodiesel can be used as a pure fuel or blended with petroleum in any percentage. B20 (a blend of 20 percent by volume biodiesel with 80 percent by volume petroleum diesel) has demonstrated significant environmental benefits with a minimum increase in cost for fleet operations and other consumers.

Q. How much biodiesel has been sold in South Carolina?

A. Since 2004, South Carolina has sold over 1.7 million gallons of biodiesel. With incentives in H.3649, that number is expected to increase to 6 million gallons in FY08.

Q. How do biodiesel emissions compare to petroleum diesel?

A. Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act. The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine results in substantial reduction or elimination of:

• unburned hydrocarbons
• carbon monoxide
• particulate matter
• sulfur oxides and sulfates

Q. Does biodiesel cost more than other alternative fuels? (Answer pertinent to the B5 Requirement).

A. When reviewing the high costs associated with other alternative fuel systems, many fleet managers have determined biodiesel is their least-cost-strategy to comply with state and federal regulations. Use of biodiesel does not require major engine modifications. That means operators keep their fleets, their spare parts inventories, their refueling stations and their skilled mechanics. The only thing that changes is air quality.

Q. Does biodiesel require special storage facilities or distribution?

A. In general, the standard storage and handling procedures used for petroleum diesel can be used for biodiesel. The fuel should be stored in a clean, dry, dark environment. Acceptable storage tank materials include aluminum, steel, fluorinated polyethylene, fluorinated polypropylene and teflon. Copper, brass, lead, tin, and zinc should be avoided. Minimal cost is required to convert a conventional diesel tank to use small percentages of biodiesel.

Q. Can biodiesel be used in existing diesel engines?

A. Biodiesel can be operated in any diesel engine with little or no modification to the engine or the fuel system. Biodiesel has a solvent effect that may release deposits accumulated on tank walls and pipes from previous diesel fuel storage. The release of deposits may clog filters initially and precautions should be taken.

Q. Is biodiesel currently available in South Carolina?

A. Currently there are over 40 locations in South Carolina that offer biodiesel and with this legislation predict an additional 20 - 60 retailers will offer biodiesel.

Q. What are some of the federal tax incentives currently available?

A. There are several federal tax incentives currently available, including:

• Section 1344 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 - extended the tax credit for biodiesel producers through 2008.
• $1.00 per gallon of agri-biodiesel
• $0.50 per gallon of waste-grease biodiesel

Biodiesel Grants

The government is now making an extensive drive of promoting the use of alternative fuels specifically the biodiesel. The government and the private sectors alike are now working hand and hand to make the move to alternative fuels realizable. Both have their own contributions in the development of the alternative fuels. Most of their projects are focused on the developments of the biodiesel and other alternative fuel technologies. But with the lack of information and cooperation from the ordinary people, these projects are moving at slower paces. They need the help of the people in order to see some lights in their projects for their success lies on the people as users and makers of the needed resources. And to attract more people to support the project, the government is giving grants such as the biodiesel grant to all the supporters of the project.

The biodiesel grants give special grants or rewards to biodiesel producers. The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) in particular gives small grants worth $3,000 for those who are interested in producing biodiesel. The NCAT is an organization that helps the people and the community to adopt the new technologies that help save energy and other resources. The group also gives the same grant amount to the farmers who raise crops that can be used as good sources of the oil needed in making biodiesel. These grants are also open for projects that deal in the development of biodiesel and discovery of new biodiesel formulas.

If you are a farmer and you want to shift into planting of crops for use in biodiesel, you can use the said biodiesel grant to support your farming needs. You can avail of the special projects of the government and other sectors regarding the development of biodiesel fuels.

Not only the farmers and the biodiesel developers benefit in these grants. In Florida, one of their public bus systems-the Lynx now uses biodiesel on their 290 units. This move by the company from using diesel fuels to the use of biodiesel-blended fuels was given recognition by the government. In fact, the Florida Renewable Energy Grants Program has given them a two-year biodiesel grant worth $2.5 million. With this grant amount and to support heir own consumption of the biodiesel, the Lynx has built its own blending station. Their station will also serve as a medium for the biodiesel and demonstration projects in their area aside from supporting their own fuel needs. Their station is capable of replacing 1.2 million gallons of diesel with cleaner and renewable fuel. The grant given to the Lynx has made their transition easier and at the same time it gave them the resources for their maintenance.

Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about biodiesel grants , please visit Alternative Fuels Today for current articles and discussions. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_Pennington