Exploring Biofuel Alternatives for Energy-Intensive, Seasonal Drying Processes

Purdue University will explore the possibility of burning biofuels (biodiesel, degummed soy oil) for the purpose of drying grain (corn) on Midwestern farms and elevators. Recently completed research at Purdue University, which was partly funded by the Indiana Soybean Board (ISB), showed that burning 10% and 30% mixtures of degummed soy oil with petroleum oil in home heating furnaces showed no adverse effects and could be used in conventional furnaces without altering existing equipment. Unlike standard fuel oil, soybean oil contains no sulfur. The decreased sulfur emission was considered a major environmental benefit. Although grain is no longer dried with fuel oil in the U.S., fuel oil is still widely used for grain drying in many countries (especially in the former Soviet Bloc). The desire for more independence from petroleum Energy sources (including natural gas and LPG), the opportunity to utilize renewable Energy resources such as biodiesel and degummed soy oil, the availability of high efficiency fuel oil burners (up to 85%), and the potential for low combustion emissions point to the need for a project that explores the economic desirability and technical feasibility of utilizing biofuel alternatives for an Energy-intensive, seasonal processing operation such as corn drying in the Midwest.