Tech Breakthrough Enables Biodiesel Production from Ethanol Plants

Tech Breakthrough Enables Biodiesel Production from Ethanol Plants

A new corn oil extraction technology is now available to the ethanol industry due to a recently developed partnership between a group of ethanol producers and a technology firm. Named SunSource BioEnergy, LLC, the team consists of VeraSun Energy, Glacial Lakes Energy, KAAPA Ethanol, Golden Grain Energy and Ethanol Oil Recovery Systems.

The technology enables ethanol producers to extract crude oil from the dry mill process. By extracting the oil, producers have the opportunity to increase plant income and improve handling characteristics of distillers' dry grains.

“This is exciting new technology. We believe this breakthrough will improve the economics of ethanol production by creating another product revenue stream,” said Don Endres, CEO, VeraSun Energy.
SunSource BioEnergy hopes to extend the benefits industry-wide by offering producers extraction units and oil purchase agreements. The company plans to build a 50 million gallon biodiesel production facility that will purify the corn oil and convert it to biodiesel fuel.

“We believe the oil separation technology is innovative and unique. After considerable research and development, we are pleased to contribute the technology to this industry partnership,” remarked David Cantrell, chairman and founder, Ethanol Oil Recovery Systems.

Published 07/08/2005