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First Petroleum-Free Engine Oil Debuts

First Petroleum-Free Engine Oil Debuts

By Colin Mathews's avatar Colin MathewsColin Mathews December 3rd, 2008

creative commons - flickr.com: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dogwelder/34645721/

creative commons - flickr.com: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dogwelder/34645721/

Enlarge Photo

How's this for green technology: engine oil made from animal fat. So maybe it's actually more of a nice, crispy fried yellow. Connecticut startup Green Earth Technologies, Inc. claims "it has found a way to make a substance chemically identical to crude oil from animal fat, a slaughterhouse byproduct that is typically discarded en masse," according to Detroit News.

The company already sells such oils for small two- and four-cycle engines (such as lawnmowers and leaf blowers) at retailers like The Home Depot. Green Earth is only waiting on final approval from the American Petroleum Institute before selling its fossil-fuel-free oil for use in your engine's crankcase.

While there isn't enough animal fat to replace all 6 million gallons of lubricants sold in 2007 (that number from the Energy Information Administration), every bit helps, especially with worldwide energy costs and consumption on the rise. Additionally, this development is in the true spirit of recycling, taking a waste product that would simply clog landfills and putting it to good use instead.

I wish I could get my hands on eight quarts of Green Earth Tech's oil, preferably in 5W-40 weight. I'm embarking this Friday on a coast-to-coast journey in a 1982 Mercedes-Benz 300TD powered by nothing but used vegetable oil, but alas, the oil in my crankcase is made from good old petroleum. With the API's approval, I should soon be able to run completely petrol-free.--Colin Mathews
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Make sure you check out our partner sites dedicated to focused news, reviews and more for Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and the Toyota Prius. creative commons - flickr.com: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dogwelder/34645721/Enlarge PhotoHow's this for green technology: engine oil made from animal fat. So maybe it's actually more of a nice, crispy fried yellow. Connecticut startup Green Earth Technologies, Inc. claims "it has found a way to make a substance chemically identical to crude oil from animal fat, a slaughterhouse byproduct that is typically discarded en masse," according to Detroit News. The company already sells such oils for small two- and four-cycle engines (such as lawnmowers and leaf blowers) at retailers like The Home Depot. Green Earth is only waiting on final approval from the American Petroleum Institute before selling its fossil-fuel-free oil for use in your engine's crankcase. While there isn't enough animal fat to replace all 6 million gallons of lubricants sold in 2007 (that number from the Energy Information Administration), every bit helps, especially with worldwide energy costs and consumption on the rise. Additionally, this development is in the true spirit of recycling, taking a waste product that would simply clog landfills and putting it to good use instead. I wish I could get my hands on eight quarts of Green Earth Tech's oil, preferably in 5W-40 weight. I'm embarking this Friday on a coast-to-coast journey in a 1982 Mercedes-Benz 300TD powered by nothing but used vegetable oil, but alas, the oil in my crankcase is made from good old petroleum. With the API's approval, I should soon be able to run completely petrol-free.--Colin Mathews --- Make sure you check out our partner sites dedicated to focused news, reviews and more for Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and the Toyota Prius.

Tags: Technology, Marketing, Driving, Industry, New Products

Posted in: 2008, Green



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Responses (10 total)

  1. By JKD #1, Posted: 12/3/2008

    Good luck on your trip! What are you going to do in LA and are you getting back the same way?

  2. By  colin #2, Posted: 12/3/2008

    Hey Thanks JKD! Main mission in L.A. is to get the wagon a paint job (currently it has a peeling, tri-color Maaco disaster that's been aging for 15 years). Frind of a friend owns a paint shop out there. Taking Old US 80 across to L.A., then up to see my Grandfather prob for Christmas in Sacramento, then probably take the southern route back home (I-10, I-20).

  3. By Ed #3, Posted: 12/3/2008

    Colin: what do you mean "First" petroleum-free oil? Synthetic has been around for years, if not decades!
    Synthetic oil is more expensive, but it is far superior to petroleum-based oil. I always made my oil changes on the 7 with synthetic, and the engine runs great.

  4. By  colin #4, Posted: 12/3/2008

    Ed - you are correct. I should have said "first all-natural oil." Synthetic is indeed petroleum-free, though I was under the impression that it was synthesized using petroleum products. Wikipedia set me straight. I use synthetic oil in my Benz (Lubro-Moly, imported from Germany, amazing stuff you should check it out for your BMW), so it looks like I am completely free of fossil fuels now :-)

  5. By ed #5, Posted: 12/3/2008

    as for 'pertoleum based engine oil' vs "animal fat", what's the diff?
    According to most, petroleum is made of decomposed dinosaur fat anyway. Dinos, Chickens, little diff.

  6. By ed #6, Posted: 12/3/2008

    as for 'petroleum based engine oil' vs "animal fat", what's the diff?
    According to most, petroleum is made of decomposed dinosaur fat anyway. Dinos, Chickens, little diff.

  7. By  colin #7, Posted: 12/3/2008

    well, ed, for starters, chicken fat is not a carcinogen, fossil fuels are. That makes chicken fat far more environmentally friendly and non-toxic to humans, both new and after being used in an engine. Additionally, the exhaust profile of an engine burning vegetable oil is far cleaner than one burning petroleum, with the exception of NOX, which rises slightly.

  8. By Jack #8, Posted: 12/3/2008

    As an animal supporter, I frown on the use of animals for 'fuel'. Shameful idea really.

  9. By Ed #9, Posted: 12/4/2008

    First of, to be precise, it is not used as a fuel but as a lubricant (Engine oil).
    Second, where have you been the last 160 years? Crude oil is also, according to most experts, a product of decomposing animals (primarily Dinos)

  10. By JKD #10, Posted: 12/4/2008

    Decomposing animals, like plankton? Yes. Dinosaurs themselves? No sir. Keep in mind that "experts" (close to half of American population to be exact) believe that humans roamed around with the dinos about 4K years ago, so there's a lot of info out there, just not very scientific :-) But seriously, check your 160 year old "facts".
    Also, you might want to verify your claim of oil used as the lubricant. Where do those two quarts you add to the Civic every week go? And what happens when your dad "changes" the oil behind the double wide? Where do you think it goes?

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