A production, processing and use-as-fuel model for rapeseed oil is also presented, analysing environmentally and economically the use of rapeseed oil as fuel compared to other agricultural production alternatives. The results are evaluated for dry Mediterranean area conditions. 2. Rapeseed production
Can rapeseed be used as a biofuel?
Baquero G. Esteban B. Rius A. Riba J. R. Puig R. 2010 Small-scale production of straight vegetable oil from rapeseed and its use as biofuel in the Spanish territory. Energy Polic, 38 1 189 196 0301-4215 5. Brzoska F. 2008 Milk production and composition as influenced by soybean meal, rapeseed meal or rapeseed cake in concentrates for dairy cows.
How is rapeseed oil extracted?
About 70% of oil from the seed is extracted, leaving 30% in cake meal. The next stage is a process of extraction using hexane as solvent. It reaches up to 95% extraction of the seed oil. In this stage, a solvent (hexane) is mixed with rapeseed cake. The solvent dissolves the oil remaining in the rapeseed cake.
Can rapeseed be used as a biofuel in Spain?
In this scenario it is necessary to implement other biofuels currently not present in the Spanish market. Straight vegetable oil (SVO) is a biofuel that can be small-scale produced from rapeseed planted in dry Mediterranean areas.