FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
03/15/05
Contact: Sandra Kirkpatrick
479-659-4051
www.rhizomecollective.org). A donation of $10 is suggested. The lecture will include an explanation of how the technology works, where to find good oil, how to filter it, and suggestions on forming local user cooperatives (poster attached).
The basics:
Any diesel engine can be converted to run on vegetable oil (VO). In fact, Rudolf Diesel debuted a version of his original engine at the 1900 World's Fair running on 100% peanut oil. The main difference between petroleum
"diesel" fuel and VO is the viscosity or thickness of the liquid. Once VO is heated to about 150-200 degrees, it will run through the engine the same as petroleum diesel.
What are the benefits of VO?
The benefits of VO fuels over traditional petroleum diesel are enormous! VO fuels reduce consumption while recycling waste, as well as reducing our dependence on non-renewable and foreign fuel sources. VO fuels also drastically reduce harmful emissions, including a 100% reduction of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, 40-60% reduction in soot emissions, and reductions of all PAH's (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons).
Bio-diesel versus VO:
Bio-diesel is increasing in popularity across the country. It is a fuel made of vegetable oil processed with lye and methanol, which changes the viscosity so that it can run through the diesel engine without any heating.
In many parts of the country, bio-diesel is a 'boutique fuel', requiring more traditional petroleum diesel fuel than it saves to make and transport it to distributors. In other cases, individuals make bio-diesel themselves or in cooperatives. In addition, one purchases bio-diesel for more than petroleum diesel, while RVO can usually be obtained for free.
Contact information:
Sandra Kirkpatrick and Christopher King are happy to talk to individuals, groups, and media about RVO and related issues. They can be contacted via email at
MotherEarthBus@yahoo.com or they can be contacted at 479-659-4051.