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Designed by Craig Oetting, B. S. Plant Sciences - Bioenergy from University of Tennessee

Oetting is making biodiesel from recycled restaurant vegetable oil
by REECE RUTLAND Banner Staff Writer

Biodiesel is a fuel made from the remanufacturing of the vegetable oil from local restaurants.

With fuel prices continuing to rise, more and more people are entering into personal biodiesel production.

In 2001, about 9 million gallons of biodiesel were produced in the United States. That number skyrocketed to 532 million gallons in 2010.

This according to Craig Oetting, a student at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a maker of biodiesel.

Oetting made a presentation on the alternative fuel to the Cleveland Rotary Club during its monthly meeting.

According to Oetting, biodiesel creates 67 percent less emissions than traditional fossil fuel and for every unit of fossil fuel used to make biodiesel, four units are created.

“Currently it’s costing me about 80 cents a gallon for biodiesel,” Oetting told those gathered.

Oetting and his father collect used vegetable oil from local restaurants and then bring it home to begin production.

All-in-all, the cost of equipment to produce the fuel was roughly $1,600, but those purchases more than paid for themselves within six months.

Currently Oetting collects about 150 gallons from local eateries, but theft of his collection units and their contents has been a problem for him.

A vehicle running biodiesel even has a little better fuel economy than a truck running traditional fossil fuels, he said.

Oetting’s Dodge truck is completely factory-standard, and if the need arises he says he can easily mix his biodiesel and regular diesel with no negative side effects.

Due to personal biodiesel production not contributing to gas taxes, an individual can only create a specific amount before it is taxed via the honor system.

Other downsides include the limited nature of waste oil from restaurants or even getting them to participate in the first place. Also, the oil must be pure vegetable oil and can not be hydrogenated.

and for every unit of fossil fuel used to make biodiesel, four units are created.

“Currently it’s costing me about 80 cents a gallon for biodiesel,” Oetting told those gathered.

Oetting and his father collect used vegetable oil from local restaurants and then bring it home to begin production.

All-in-all, the cost of equipment to produce the fuel was roughly $1,600, but those purchases more than paid for themselves within six months.

Currently Oetting collects about 150 gallons from local eateries, but theft of his collection units and their contents has been a problem for him.

A vehicle running biodiesel even has a little better fuel economy than a truck running traditional fossil fuels, he said.

Oetting’s Dodge truck is completely factory-standard, and if the need arises he says he can easily mix his biodiesel and regular diesel with no negative side effects.

Due to personal biodiesel production not contributing to gas taxes, an individual can only create a specific amount before it is taxed via the honor system.

Other downsides include the limited nature of waste oil from restaurants or even getting them to participate in the first place. Also, the oil must be pure vegetable oil and can not be hydrogenated.