The process

From seed to oil, fuel and feed

Full processing technology: canola or sunflower seed is pressed into cooking oil, oil is converted into diesel and lubricants, and the oil cake goes to animal feed.

Process flow

How the system fits together

Two oil streams feed the enzyme conversion stage: fresh oil pressed from seed, and used cooking oil collected from the market.

Feedstock and pressingEnzyme conversionFuel and lubricant outputsAnimal feed

Stage by stage

What happens at each step

Feedstock

Australian-grown oilseed

The system is designed around canola or sunflower seed grown in Australia, so the oil does not need to be imported.

Pressing

Oil extrusion

Seed is pressed with oil extrusion technology. The oil is separated from the solid oil cake.

Food

Organic cooking oil

Pressed oil can be sold to the market as organic cooking oil before any of it becomes fuel.

Collection

Used cooking oil

Used oil is collected at the same time as new oil is delivered, and becomes feedstock for fuel.

Conversion

Enzyme conversion

An enzyme-based process converts the oil into diesel. The process is designed without the glycerol by-product of conventional biodiesel plants.

Outputs

Fuel, lubricants and feed

Outputs include vehicle diesel, light diesel, plant-based lubricants and greases, and oil cake for animal feed.

The oil swap model

New oil out, used oil back

A simple loop links the food market and fuel production.

Press local seed
Australian-grown canola or sunflower is pressed into organic cooking oil, with no import cost for the oil.
Sell with a swap agreement
The cooking oil is sold to the market on an agreement to swap it for the customer’s used oil.
Collect on delivery
Used oil is picked up at the same time new oil is delivered.
Convert to diesel
The used oil is converted to diesel with the enzyme process.