New infrared process may drive higher biodiesel yields

In Washington, the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service has developed a near infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy system capable of testing oilseeds, and thereby determining how to adjust settings in oilseed crushing equipment. The adjustments allow processors to fine-tune for batches with longer grinding processes, required for seeds with low oil content, thereby reducing inefficiencies in biodiesel processing that stem from variable oil content in seeds. The new equipment can test oil content with an error margin of less than 1 percent.

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