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Esterhol Shows Promise Against Oil
Dependency
24 April 2006
by Anai Rhoads
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AnaiRhoads.org - Indiana
experimented with an unconventional fuel recently that proved
more effective and eco-friendly than the traditional diesel most people are accustomed to.
An unassuming garbage truck made its daily rounds in Hammond
neighbourhoods for over six weeks while running on 100 percent
vegetable-based fuel.
"The results of the trial run indicate that the engine ran well, the
exhaust was cleaner and the fuel even eliminated the engine knock we
normally get in a truck like this one," said Mayor McDermott. "It is
our hope that we can expand this programme to include more vehicles
in the future."
Naturally Renewable Group (NRG), manufacturer of the biofuel
Esterhol, is said to cost approximately 30 percent less than diesel.
Today's fuel prices, increased dependency on foreign oil, and global
warming due to fossil emissions are causing more people to seek out such an alternative.
"Biofuel is clean, reliable and as safe as the crops it's made from,"
said Brad Snower of NRG, which manufactures the biofuel. "Best of
all, it can be made from Indiana agricultural products, produced by
Indiana workers, then used to fuel Indiana vehicles and machines.
It's a win-win-win for the Hoosier state."
The fuel is also said to be low-pollution and non-toxic, and with the added boosters, it also emits a more pleasant smell while offering an economical
alternative.
Hammond officials, local environmental groups, and Congressman Peter
Visclosky conducted this trial with the non-petroleum based diesel
fuel earlier this year, which proved not only does the new method work, it
may actually works better than the ethanol-gasoline blend normally
used.
"In order for our country to reduce our dependence on foreign energy,
we need to supply our communities with safe, efficient, reliable
fuel," said U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, who is the ranking member on
the U.S. House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee. "Hammond
will serve as a model for other communities on how we can improve our
environment, serve the public's best interest, and create economic
development opportunities right here in Northwest Indiana."
Biofuel technology was first introduced in 1892 by Dr. Rudolf Diesel,
and eight years later was demonstrated at the World's Fair in Paris.
The first diesel engine was initially designed to run on peanut oil.
Diesel knew his engine would probably operate on any variety of
vegetable oils, but since petroleum-based diesel fuel was cheaper at
the time, he made it the fuel of choice.
Esterhol is currently produced from feed stocks grown in Indiana and
surrounding States. The inventory used include canola, corn,
cottonseed, peanuts, soybeans, and sunflowers. In Germany there has also been great progress as well. The country has been working with Rape Seed, which produces oil comparable to canola.
Apart from Esterhol, NRG has produced a second renewable fuel called
Eco-Red. They also provide the V-Engine Optional Accessory
Performance Package (OAPP), which is a converter for the diesel
engine.
Those who seek to make their own biodiesel, may review the Collaborative
Biodiesel Tutorial web site.
Correction:
Brad Snow was kind enough to point out an error in my article (Thank you):
"You had stated in your article that Hammond was running their trucks on
gasoline-ethanol blends. Diesels cannot operate on gasoline ethanol blends.
They can and do operate on diesel-esterhol blends and can run on straight
Esterhol. Thank you for the article," -- Brad Snow
©2006 Anai Rhoads. Reproduction must be authorised in writing
by author only. Altering, redistributing, or selling this material is
strictly prohibited.
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