``It was just a matter of putting it in the tank and giving it a shot.'' I wonder if anyone told them the filters would probably clog up at first.
Keith http://pasco.tbo.com/pasco/MGA0RVF6W9D.html Dec 19, 2002 Alternative Fuel Purrs At USF By SUSAN SHULINS Tribune correspondent TAMPA - The University of South Florida is pioneering an environmentally friendly alternative fuel made of vegetable oils and animal fats by using it to run 22 of its campus shuttle buses. USF is the only university in the country using biodiesel to operate such a large number of campus buses, said Rick Fallin, USF's transportation manager. Biodiesel produces less carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons and particulate matter than regular diesel fuel. It is nontoxic and biodegradable and can be used alone or mixed with petroleum diesel. The military, other government agencies and numerous city bus fleets have been using biodiesel fuel for the past few years. USF was added to the list in August. Fallin said he decided to investigate using the alternative fuel after he drove a shuttle bus that ran on biodiesel a few years ago. ``I could tell the difference in the engine right away,'' Fallin said. ``The bus ran much quieter and smoother than it did with diesel fuel.'' And the stink of regular diesel fuel exhaust was gone. Since all but three of USF's 25 Bull Runner shuttle buses had newer engines designed to operate with diesel or alternative fuels, no capital investment was needed to make the switch to biodiesel. ``That was a big plus,'' Fallin said. ``It was just a matter of putting it in the tank and giving it a shot.'' The biodiesel is manufactured by OceanAir Environmental Fuels and Glycerine LLC in Lakeland and is delivered by Ward Oil Co. to USF three times a week. If supplies ever become limited, Fallin said he can easily use a mixture of biodiesel and diesel or revert to using regular diesel fuel. While biodiesel is priced about 20 cents more per gallon than regular diesel, the benefits outweigh the additional costs, Fallin said. In addition to the environmental advantage, the supply and pricing of biodiesel is dependent on the American farming industry, not on foreign oil producers, Fallin said. The vegetable oils used in its production include soy, corn, canola, cottonseed, peanut, sunflower and rapeseed. The animal fats come from cattle, poultry and hogs. Fallin is keeping consumption and maintenance records to evaluate long-term use of the fuel, but so far he's convinced of its benefits. ``I've been very happy with the results,'' he said. ``My intention is to use it for the long haul, unless it becomes cost- prohibitive or it causes damage to our equipment. I have a high degree of confidence that it will not cause us any problems.'' USF's shuttle buses, which began operating in 1997, transport students, faculty and staff members around campus. Fallin estimated that by year's end, 1 million riders will have used the service, and he expects that number to increase next year. In November, Bay Area Commuter Services, a nonprofit agency dedicated to working with local companies and commuters to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, recognized University of South Florida Parking and Transportation Services for its use of biodiesel with a Clean Air Partners Award. Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://archive.nnytech.net/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
