Biodiesel from Castor Oil Takes Less Energy

The Casor Bean grows easily, is drought tolerant, and researchers find it is easier to convert to biodiesel than other plant oils.Energy in a Castor Bean:
by Mario Osava -- tierramerica.net -- 2003

..."But its major market is beginning to open in the energy field, with the growth of biodiesel," says Napoleao Beltrao, who has spent the last 18 years studying the properties of castor oil at the state-run Brazilian Enterprise for Agricultural Research (EMBRAPA) at its labs in the northeastern city of Campina Grande, in Paraíba state.

"Castor oil is the best substance for producing biodiesel because it is the only one that is soluble in alcohol, and does not require heat and the consequent energy requirement of other vegetable oils in transforming them into fuel, Beltrao explained to Tierramarica."