AFME is 2. Generation

The research group Bio Diesel Denmark
examins the perspectives of a more widespread use of animal bio diesel fuel

Great expectations with regard to animal bio diesel

The research group Bio Diesel Denmark examins the perspectives of a more widespread use of animal bio diesel fuel. So far the experience in the research group is mostly positive - especially with regard to the oil heaters from the Danish company Stroco.
Stroco ApS has over the last 40 years manufactured oil heaters for busses, trucks and boats and is one of the front runners in the bio fuel business. In 1998 the company was capable of presenting a heater the could burn ethanol. Today the company is the only SP-Certified manufacturer of oil heaters fueled by bio fuel. This is the reason why Stroco ApS was invited to participate in the test group Bio' Diesel Denmark aiming at the research of second generation bio fuel in Denmark. Apart from Stroco ApS the Danish Technological Institute and Arla Foods as well as Statoil participates in this project.

The second generation bio fuel - also called AFME - Animal Fat Methyl Ester - is based on the surplus of lard from the slaughterhouses while the first generation bio fuel was based on rape and soy beans.
Bio diesel Denmark aims to cast light over the possibilities and obstructions for a broader use of the AFME. During the course of this project various mixing ratios for various vehicles are tested. A large percentage of AFME - 10, 15 and 30 percent - respectively - is mixed into the diesel for driving and into the diesel oil for the heaters on the vehicles . The project runs for a period of aprox. 18 months and a conclusion is expected at the end of this year.

Positive experiences

are predominant for the present. According to civil engineer Kim Winther at the Danish Technological Institute the tests progress according to plan and show good results. Our test show on the one hand a general reduction in the emissions by the use of animal bio fuel. On the other hand the tests show minor increase in the fuel consumption and a minor reduction in the engine power as well as an increase in soiling of the fuel filters on specific vehicles. Furthermore the mixing of 30 percent AFME turned out to be unfit for temperature conditions below zero. It is, however, worth noticing that in general the heaters so far run better on the bio diesel fuel than on the standard diesel fuel.
In the project steering group engineer Bent Loftager from Stroco ApS consider the prospects good. He is pleased that the research tests show that the products of his company deliver positive results. The test results support our decision to bet on the alternativ fuel. The test with AFME-based fuel in the oil boilers give the impression that the performance and consumption levels the traditional diesel fuel or better - at the same time as the emissions are lower. A most satisfactory result, he claims.
Stroco Aps' oil boilers are mainly distributed in the European bus, boat and truck marketplace. Buyers are Carrus Delta, Evo, Irisbus, Kiitokori, Lahen, MAN, Mercedes, Scania, Solaris, Vest Buss and Volvo.

The compact and robust

construction as well as the the supplying of spare parts on a day-to-day basis always were main sales arguments for our boilers. Today the customers further emphasize the increasing need for economical operation and environmental issues. In this context it is important that tests carried through by the Danish Technological Institute and the Official Danish Test Plant document a efficiency degree of 80 percent, which is higher than any known competion factory figures. resulting in the lowest fuel consumption in the market, Bent Loftager explains. He experiences especially increasing demands for Type 3502 M, which model is also delivered in variation models based on bio fuel, ethanol and RME. The Type 3502 M / EL, being the only oil boiler on the market delivered with electrical charge is also very popular. Both boilers provide 30 kW.
In Denmark Stroco holds agencies for circulation pumps, heaters for busses, equipment for environmental friendly oil drain as well as equipment for water mist based equipment for fire extinquishing. Further compact air boilers developed with regard to the best possible performance at the relevant price level - for vans and boats. In the Nordic marketplace Stroco's products are supplied by TK Bussklimat in Sweden, Vest Buss in Norway and El-Car in Finland