Frequently Asked Questions - Plant Oils and Feedstocks

How many gallons of vegetable oil does it take to make biodiesel?
It takes roughly a gallon of vegetable oil to make a gallon of biodiesel.

Where can I buy different types of vegetable oils?
You can do a search on the Internet or contact us for our list of suppliers.

How much vegetable oil does the average restaurant use per month?
In a 2005 study done by a student at Cornell University, the average waste vegetable oil amounts, as surveyed in New York City (Brooklyn), was 48 gallons per month.

Is it worth going out and finding sources of vegetable oil or even becoming a renderer (recycler) of vegetable oil?
This is a question you will have to answer for yourself. If you want our consulting on this issue, please call as we will be happy to help you.

Can I use “used cooking oil” or “waste vegetable oil” or even “grease” to make biodiesel with the ‘Circle Biodiesel Processor’?
Yes, you will first need to “treat” the oil with some chemicals and some heat to clean up the oil.

Can I use anything other than soy vegetable oil to produce biodiesel?
Yes, you can use a variety of plant oils such as canola (rapeseed), palm, coconut, jatropha, algae, as well as “waste vegetable oils” and even “greases”.

What is Jatropha Curcas?
Jatropha is a genus of approximately 175 succulent plants, shrubs and trees (some are deciduous, like Jatropha curcas L.), from the family Euphorbiaceae. Jatropha is native to Central America and has become naturalized in many tropical and subtropical areas, including India, Africa, and North America. Originating in the Caribbean, the jatropha was spread as a valuable hedge plant to Africa and Asia by Portuguese traders. The mature small trees bear male and female inflorescence, and do not grow very tall. The hardy jatropha is resistant to drought and pests, and produces seeds containing up to 40% oil.

What are fatty acids?
A fatty acid is a carboxylic acid often with a long un-branched aliphatic tail (chain), which is either saturated or unsaturated.

What level of free fatty acids can your biodiesel processor handle for straight processing without using an acid pre-treatment?
The ‘Circle Biodiesel Processor’ can handle a free fatty acid level of < 2.5%.

What feedstock types can I use for ethanol production?
Various feedstocks such as corn, wheat, barley, rice, waste fruit juices, and even algae, can be used to make ethanol.