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If it belongs to Purdue and runs on diesel, chances are it's powered by a biofuel friendly to the environment and farmers.
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The Boilermaker Special is among the Purdue vehicles powered by soy biodiesel fuel. (Purdue News Service photo) |
Purdue uses soy biodiesel to fuel its fleet of 80 diesel-engine vehicles, including buses, ambulances, semi trucks and the university's mascot, the Boilermaker Special. The transportation center annually uses 85,000-90,000 gallons of diesel fuel, so the switch is a boost to the biodiesel market in Indiana.
Purdue Agricultural Centers (PAC) and farms around the state also pump soy biodiesel into tractors, trucks and other vehicles. The ag centers use various soy biodiesel blends in about 50 pieces of farm equipment, according to Jerry Fankhauser, PAC director. “We're very pleased with the performance,” Fankhauser says. “Now is a great time to evaluate and promote the use of ‘home-grown' fuels, such as soy biodiesel.”
Mike Yoder, an Elkhart County soybean producer and Indiana Soybean Board member, says biodiesel is an ideal alternative fuel. “Around the state, farmers are doing high-fives, thanks to Purdue's efforts,” he says.
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