ISA Supports Road Testing of Soy Biodiesel in Alaska

Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) is taking 250 gallons of cold climate biodiesel produced through a process developed by Purdue University researchers through soybean checkoff funding to the Arctic Circle to document how it performs in some of the harshest winter conditions.

ISA is partnering with University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), the Alaska Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (AFES) and Purdue University to road test Permaflo™ Biodiesel, which is a unique formulation of biodiesel that is processed using a simple, novel process that significantly reduces the traditional problems of biodiesel performance in cold-weather conditions.

The entire trip will be documented by a film crew and real-time reports – with photos - will be posted on ISA's website during the trip.  ISA has been funding the work on Permaflo™ Biodiesel for the last five years to help address the critical need for consistent product quality in the growing biodiesel industry. The fuel is capable of working at temperatures below -67˚F without gelling.  

Researchers at UAF and AFES will be joined by ISA farmer-directors and Dr. Bernie Tao, agricultural engineering professor and the ISA Professor in Soybean Utilization at Purdue University, on March 4-9 to “road test” the Permaflo™ Biodiesel in two different ways. The fuel will be tested in transportation and stationary power generation.  

The group will drive two vehicles running on 100 percent Permaflo™ Biodiesel (B100) from Anchorage to Fairbanks, which is a trip of more than 300 miles on the Parks Highway crossing Denali National Park. One of the Permaflo™ Biodiesel-powered vehicles will then carry the group an additional 200 miles to the Arctic Circle where they will camp overnight using a generator powered by the Permaflo™ Biodiesel.
 
In addition to the testing, ISA representatives and Dr. Tao will participate in a Biofuels Symposium hosted by UAF on March 9. The presentation will include the results of the testing done with the PermafloTM Biodiesel in Alaska, along with updates about ongoing research in biofuels relevant to the resource base of Alaska, in agriculture, forestry, and new technology development.
 
Learn more about ISA’s Permaflo Biodiesel Mission: Arctic Circle trip by visiting www.indianasoybean.com and following the daily journal and photo diary. For more information about Permaflo™ Biodiesel, click here.
 

 
The Indiana Soybean Alliance works to enhance the viability of Indiana soybean farmers through the effective and efficient investment of soybean checkoff funds and the development of sound policies that protect and promote the interest of Indiana soybean farmers. The ISA is working to build new markets for soybeans through the promotion of biodiesel, livestock, international marketing, new soybean uses, aquaculture, and research. ISA is led by an elected farmer board that directs investments of the soybean checkoff funds on behalf of more than 28,000 Indiana soybean farmers and promotes policies on behalf of the ISA’s 900 dues-paying members.
 
For more information contact: Megan Kuhn, 317-347-3620 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Indiana Soybean Alliance
5730 W. 74th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46278
800-735-0195
www.indianasoybean.com
 
This communication was funded with soybean checkoff dollars.