Scientists in Nevada are reporting development of a new and environmentally friendly process for producing biodiesel fuel from “chicken feather meal,” made from the 11 billion pounds of poultry industry waste that accumulate annually in the United States alone. Their study appears in the July 22 issue of ACS’ Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a bi-weekly publication. RenewableEnergyWorld.com
The researchers describe a new process for extracting fat from chicken feather meal using boiling water and processing it into biodiesel. Given the amount of feather meal generated by the poultry industry each year, they estimate this process could create 153 million gallons of biodiesel annually in the U.S. and 593 million gallons worldwide. In addition, they note that removal of fat content from feather meal results in both a higher-grade animal feed and a better nitrogen source for fertilizer applications. Science Daily
Chicken feather meal consists of processed chicken feathers, blood, and innards that have been steam processed at high temperatures, and because of its high protein and nitrogen content is currently used as animal feed and fertilizer. The meal also has a 12% fat content, which could be used as a nonfood feedstock to make biodiesel. Gas2.0
The research team estimates their process could create 152 million gallons of biodiesel annually in the US and 593 gallons worldwide and as an added bonus the removal of fat content from the feather meal results in both a higher-grade animal feed and a better nitrogen source for fertilizer applications. Gizmag
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