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Penn State Operating Oilseed Press to Make Biofuel

Last Updated: March 01, 2010

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"The ultimate goal is to press the oilseed to make fryer oil for the dining halls, then gather the used vegetable oil to make it into biodiesel, which can fuel the tractor that helped produce the seed," the project engineer who is the primary operator of the oilseed press and who oversees Penn State's Biodiesel Initiative said.

Released February 25, 2010

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Sometimes huge initiatives start with modest efforts. That may be the case with the oilseed press being operated as a demonstration project by Farm Operations and Services in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences

Pressing oil primarily from crops being grown by Penn State on university land near the University Park campus, the college is using the apparatus to gain experience in the operation of a community- or regional-sized oilseed press, according to Glen Cauffman, manager of farm operations and facilities.

"Since the press first was started in February 2009, approximately 2,100 gallons of vegetable oil have been pressed," he said. "Canola has been the major crop pressed, with sunflower and camelina also being pressed in smaller amounts.


--continued on Penn State University news

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