Biodiesel Production Unit on Tour

WINNIPEG - Mar 26/07 - SNS -- A biodiesel production plant suitable for use by individual farmers is currently on tour in western Canada.

The plant, created by the Canadian International Grains Institute (CIGI), is housed in an 8 x 20 foot trailer. In a simple process, it separates oil from oilseeds such as canola or soybean using an oilseed expeller.

The oil is filtered and then routed into a reactor vessel, were it is combined with methanol and a catalyst to separate the glycerol. After the glycerol is removed, the methanol is separated from the mixture and it is filtered once more to produce fuel which is ready for immediate use.

Unlike raw canola oil, the biodiesel produced by the plant will not harm engines. This results in an immediate fuel savings for farmers and produces a byproduct which can readily be sold to livestock producers and/or local feed manufacturing plants.

CIGI is offering short courses with the plant in Brandon, Manitoba (April 3-5), Weyburn, Saskatchewan (April 10-12) and two stops in Alberta in Fairview (April 16-18) and Grimshaw (April 19-21).

"We're offering producers, rural communities and other interested individuals and industry members a one-of-a-kind learning opportunity," says Dr. Rex Newkirk, CIGI Director of Feed and coordinator of the biodiesel courses.

"No other facilities in Western Canada currently provide biodiesel production training, technical support, and assistance in understanding the value-added uses and market potential for the by-products such as canola meal and glycerol. The CIGI biodiesel project will significantly increase the amount of information and resources available to producers and researchers alike."

The Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council provided $45,000 in funding for the purchase of the trailer and pilot equipment which will be used to demonstrate all aspects of biodiesel production including equipment operation, chemistry, economics, marketing, feed stock sources and safety. CIGI contributed both funding and technical resources towards the purchase of the trailer and pilot plant design and assembly.

While courses held in Western Canada will focus on the use of canola, the potential exists to offer courses in Eastern Canada where the emphasis would be on different oilseed crops such as soybeans. Future plans also include providing training in biodiesel production for international customers during other CIGI programs.

Barry Senft, CIGI Executive Director, says the launch of the biodiesel initiative is another example of CIGI's versatility in designing programs and services targeted to a wide variety of needs and interests. "We're taking our technical expertise and experience in program delivery on the road to make it as convenient as possible for people in various locations to attend these biodiesel courses."