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Title: Field Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) Oil: A Promising Source of Biodiesel.

Author
item Moser, Bryan
item Knothe, Gerhard
item Vaughn, Steven
item Isbell, Terry

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/15/2009
Publication Date: 11/15/2009
Citation: Moser, B.R., Knothe, G.H., Vaughn, S.F., Isbell, T. 2009. Field Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) Oil: A Promising Source of Biodiesel [abstract]. International Congress on Biodiesel. p. 20.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L., FP) is a winter annual species of the mustard family (Brassicaceae) that is widely distributed throughout temperate North America and which can serve in a winter rotational cycle with conventional crops, thus not displacing existing agricultural production or negatively impacting the food supply. The oil from FP seeds, obtained in 36 weight percent yield, was high in erucic acid, with linoleic, linolenic, oleic, and gondoic acids also present in significant quantities. The corresponding methyl esters (FPME) displayed a high cetane number, excellent cold flow properties, comparable oxidative stability, and relatively high kinematic viscosity versus soybean oil methyl esters (SME). Comparison to ASTM D6751 revealed that FPME was satisfactory with respect to all parameters measured here. Kinematic viscosity and oxidative stability did not meet the stated requirements in EN 14214, but blending or treatment with antioxidants are likely to ameliorate these deficiencies. In conclusion, field pennycress has excellent potential as an alternative feedstock for biodiesel production.