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National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT)









Oilseeds for Fuel, Feed and the Future

 

Innovations Grant Report
(adapted from the PowerPoint Presentation ~ Retrofitting the PEAS Farm Tractor for S.V.O. and An Analysis of the Footprints of Four Fuels)
By Josh Slotnick & Heather McKee, The P.E.A.S Farm
Missoula, Montana
January 29, 2009

 

The P.E.A.S. Farm The P.E.A.S. Tractor
Figure 1
The P.E.A.S. Farm		 Figure 2
The Tractor
For convenience the original PowerPoint Presentation is also available [PPT/5MB]
PPT Icon

The P.E.A.S. Farm

Retrofitting the Engine with the Elsbett System


Retrofitting the Engine with the Elsbett System
Figure 2

 

Electrical Aspects of Elsbett System


Electrical Aspects of Elsbett System
Figure 3

 

Glow Plugs


Glow Plugs
Figure 4

 

Iodine Values for Vegetable Oils

Iodine Value: Degree of unsaturation of a particular vegetable oil, based on number of carbon double bonds.

  • Safflower Oil: 126-152 (Higher number of carbon double bonds, less viscous/more reactive)
  • Sunflower Oil: 110-143
  • Rapeseed Oil: 94-120 (Lower number of carbon double bonds, more viscous/less reactive)

 

Comparing Fuel Footprints

Goal for Fuels Projects: Maximize self-sufficiency within our community, minimize environmental impact

Methods: Analyzed the life cycles of four different fuels to determine climate footprints

  • Diesel
  • B20 biodiesel
  • Rapeseed oil (produced on-site and off-site)
  • Waste vegetable oil

 

"Well to Wheel" Basic Model


Well to Wheel
Figure 5

 

Diesel

  • Life Cycle Emissions: 2.8413 lbs CO2/gallon
    • Exploration, extraction, transportation to refinery, refining, transportation to consumer base
  • Combustion Emissions: 23.08 lbs CO2/gallon
  • Total Emissions: 27.13 lbs CO2/gallon diesel

 

B20 Biodiesel

  • Life Cycle Emissions: 2.8413 lbs CO2/gallon
    • Production, Harvesting, Processing, Transporting, Laboratory Esterification, Transportation to Consumer Base
  • Combustion Emissions: 21.5987 lbs CO2/gallon
  • Total Emissions of B20 Biodiesel: 24.08 lbs CO2/gallon
    • 80% Diesel Emissions + 20% Biodiesel Emissions

 

Rapeseed Oil (Purchasing)

  • Life Cycle Emissions: 2.069 lbs CO2/gallon
    • Production, Harvesting, Processing, Transporting, Bottling
  • Combustion Emissions: 25.5 lbs CO2/gallon
    • However, all of this carbon was originally absorbed from the soil or atmosphere during its growth, unlike petrodiesel. Therefore, the growth and combustion represent a net neutrality of carbon in the atmosphere.
  • Total Emissions: 2.069 lbs CO2/gallon

 

The Global Carbon Cycle
Figure 6
The Global Carbon Cycle

 

Rapeseed Oil (On-Site Production)

  • Life Cycle Emissions: 1.46 lbs CO2/gallon
    • Production, Harvesting
  • Combustion Emissions: 25.5 lbs CO2/gallon
    • However, all of this carbon was originally absorbed from the atmosphere during its growth, unlike petrodiesel. Therefore, the growth and combustion represent a net neutrality of carbon in the atmosphere.
  • Total Emissions (Production): 1.46 lbs CO2/gallon

 

Rapeseed Oil (On-Site Processing)

  • Life Cycle Emissions: 1.167 lbs CO2/gallon
    • Processing, Footprint of start-up equipment
  • Combustion Emissions: 25.5 lbs CO2/gallon
    • However, all of this carbon was originally absorbed from the soil or atmosphere during its growth, unlike petrodiesel. Therefore, the growth and combustion represent a net neutrality of carbon in the atmosphere.
  • Total Emissions (Processing): 1.167 lbs CO2/gallon
  • Total Emissions (Processing + Production): 2.627 lbs CO2/gallon

 

Waste Vegetable Oil

  • Life Cycle Emissions: 0 lbs CO2/gallon
    • Rescued from landfill, footprint of start-up materials, minimal heat to filter oil
  • Combustion Emissions: 25.5 lbs CO2/gallon
    • However, all of this carbon was originally absorbed from the atmosphere during its growth, unlike petrodiesel. Therefore, the growth and combustion represent a net neutrality of carbon in the atmosphere.
  • Total Emissions (Production): 0 lbs/gallon

 

The Nitrous Oxide Factor

  • Waste vegetable oil (WVO) has the smallest footprint
  • But is there an obvious second choice?
  • All plant-based fuels grown with fossil fuel fertilizers contribute nitrous oxide
  • 5.4% of all U.S. GHG emissions are from nitrous oxide, nearly 4/5 of which come from agricultural soil management
  Lbs CO2/G
Diesel 27.13
B20 Biodiesel (reduced by 80% if B100) 24.08
Rapeseed Oil (Purchased) 2.07
Rapeseed Oil (On-Site) 2.63
Waste Veggie Oil Minimal (used to heat oil to filter)

 

How Can Farmers Reduce Their Nitrous Oxide Footprint?

  • Minimize application of fossil fuel based fertilizers and energy intensive pesticides and herbicides
    • Use slow-release fertilizers
    • Improve estimates of plant needs and time fertilizer applications to match plant needs
  • Minimize tillage
  • Coordinate timing with weather patterns

 

Growing Rapeseed to Minimize Use of Fossil Fuel Footprint

  • Main pest is flea beetle
    • For flea beetle, plant seeds shallowly and in standing stubble to encourage cool microclimate and quick growth
    • High density planting and wider row spacing also decreases damage