Voronezh region is to host a new biodiesel producing plant

OAO RZD (Russian RailRoads) has tested the voronezh biodiesel produced from methyl spirit of the rape oil and has announced that it is ready to use this biofuel in locomotives on an industrial scale. Test were taken in 2006-2007 on the grounds of locomotive depot Voronezh-Kursk of the South-Eastern railroads. The tests showed that biodiesel is equal in its technical characteristic to the usual diesel fuel, it shows even higher result in some characteristics. For example, percentage of the oxygen in biodiesel has improved the process of fuel combustion, while carbon percentage has decreased up to 60%.

RZD has emphasized that biofuel will never be an alternative to the mineral fuel, but can improve ecological characteristics of the latter, decrease engine abrasion and in a form of additives help economize main fuel.

It is planned to build a biodiesel-producing plant in Voronezh region, that will be able to produce up to 100 thousand tons of biodiesel and 9,36 thousand tons of pharmaceutical glycerin per year.  Yearly demand in raw material will reach 176,4 thousand tons of sunflower seeds (70% of total volume) and 75,6 thousand tons of rape.  

Voronezh politicians remind that during his visit to Krasnoyarsk, in November, Vladimir Putin has stated that Russia can become world leader in the area of biofuel, and those who will engage in biofuel production will become billionaires

Source: «Novaya Gazeta»