The document discusses the use of straight vegetable oil (SVO) as a fuel in modified diesel engines, highlighting technological advancements that have made it a viable option despite previous concerns. It details the modifications necessary for successful engine operation with SVO, including filtration processes, and shares demonstrative applications in various venues. Emissions tests indicate that fuel quality, through effective filtration, is crucial for long-term engine performance, with oil from camelina seeds successfully powering engines for extended periods.

1. Use of Straight Vegetable Oil as a Fuel in
Appropriately Equipped Compression
Ignition (Diesel) Engines
Harvesting Clean Energy Conference IX
January 25-27, 2009 | Billings, MT
Joel Lindstrom
Leonardo Technologies, Inc.
Bozeman, MT

2. Use of Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) as a
Fuel in Modified Diesel Engines
Successful compression ignition (diesel) engine
operation with SVO as fuel can be obtained, without
affecting the engine’s capability to operate on
conventional fuels.
Major technological developments have taken place
since the late 1970s and early 80s, when the vast
majority of the scientific community did conclude that
SVO was an unsuitable fuel for diesel engines.

3. Use of Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) as a
Fuel in Modified Diesel Engines
The disadvantages of using straight (pure) vegetable oil as a fuel include:
High cloud point
High surface tension and viscosity leading to poor atomization
Low cetane
High flash point
Fuel variability and presence of gums (phosphatides)
Susceptibility to forming coke deposits
Susceptibility to forming sludge when mixed and heated with
petroleum lubricants
It has been shown that appropriately designed equipment can
circumvent these disadvantages, enabling SVO as a reliable,
environmentally conscious and potentially economical fuel choice.

4. Typical SVO Modification Equipment
Coolant-Fuel Heat Exchanger and Heated Fuel Filter customary for all SVO engines

5. Use of Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) as a
Fuel in Modified Diesel Engines
LTI had two GL 11000
engine gensets modified
by Elsbett
GL 11000 Specs:
2-Pole / Single phase
(120 / 240 V)
10 kW (13.4 hp) Prime,
11 kW (14.75 hp) Standby
Both gensets were fitted in cargo trailers, of which have been used to perform
numerous demonstrations/education efforts. Emissions tests carried out with
food grade canola oil were shown to be successful. All long term degradation
evaluations have yielded positive results.

6. Portable Demonstration Power System
This trailer has been demonstrated at
numerous venues in and around Montana: at
the “Yellowstone Greening Conference” in
Big Sky; the Lamar Buffalo Ranch in
Yellowstone National Park, at Montana State
University – Bozeman, as well as at “Music
on Main”, “Make My House Green” and
“Bioneers” events all held in Bozeman, MT.

7. Use of Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) as a
Fuel in Modified Diesel Engines

9. Filtration of Used Vegetable Oil for use as a
Fuel in Modified Diesel Engines
Removes contaminates as
small as 0.1 micron - Fuel
quality is a Major KEY to
achieving successful long-term
engine operation
A 750 gallon field examination
revealed that the consumables
required to operate the system
cost less than $0.50 per filtered
gallon. It was also found that
the system can filter vegetable
oil to a cleanliness level
exceeding that of commercially
available diesel fuel.

10. What Happens When Inadequately Filtered
or Rancid Vegetable Oil is used as a Fuel

11. Field Exam at Ted Turner’s Flying D Buffalo
Ranch near Bozeman, Montana
Along with staff of Ted Turner’s Flying D Buffalo Ranch, LTI pressed 4,000 lbs of
camelina seed. The camelina oil was filtered by LTI, which was used to conduct
various oil property evaluations and engine demonstrations. This oil was used to
power approximately 50 hours of successful engine operation.

12. Economies of Scale Definitely Matter When it
Comes to Processing Oilseeds
Questions?