An example of "Switch" in action – Pro Green

Written by CIN member: Peter Monostory of Westlink Resources

Pro Green is a company whose goal is to help reduce Australia's environmental footprint by making biodiesel readily available to everyone. After years of research and development into engine performance, efficiency and emission reduction, which was originally initiated by the parent engineering company Westlink Resources, Pro Green was founded to continue these previous studies and to research advances in biodiesel from around the world.

Pro Green's services support the Carbon Management Principle, Switch, which suggests switching to energy sources that are less greenhouse intensive than traditional fuel sources. Pro Green has developed a straightforward, stringent procedure for transitioning from fossil diesel to biodiesel. Working in collaboration with original engine manufacturers and injection pump service companies, Pro Green is constantly assessing, reassessing and improving their fuels, changeover procedures, fuel storage and fuel handling methods. Furthermore, their company works to address the current lack of information and misinformation by educating individuals, companies and organizations on proper changer over procedures, timely and ongoing maintenance schedules, and correct biodiesel handling practices.

Pro Green suggests that switching fossil diesel with biodiesel is one of the most readily and easily adoptable alternative fuels to switch to; and there are a myriad of reasons to switch to biodiesel including the following:

• Pro Green biodiesel is renewable. It is produced from waste cooking oils and fats which are discarded from the restaurant and fast food industry.
• Biodiesel is nontoxic and biodegradable.
• Biodiesel reduces a host of emissions at the tail pipe including a near total reduction of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, as well as a numerous carcinogens and particulate matters.
• Vegetable oil based Biodiesel has an energy balance of 1:3 meaning that for every one unit of energy that goes into the making of the fuel, three units of energy are present in the final fuel
• By switching from fossil diesel to Australian made biodiesel we promote a domestic industry that increases Australian productivity and net worth, while simultaneously reducing our reliance on foreign produced petroleum products.
• Biodiesel is compatible with any diesel engine.

Read on to find out from Pro Green how they can work with your company to make the changeover.

"The process begins at our initial consultation where Pro Green will discuss the option of trialling the fuel before a full change over and also which vehicles you would like to choose for the trial. Once the cars or trucks have been selected, Pro Green will suggest a complete service of the vehicles. This will include changing the engine oil, oil filter, and fuel filter prior to the commencement of the trial. Pro Green will request a sample of the used oil and the used oil filter. This is done so that we can perform a base line assessment of the engine wear characteristics based upon trace metals, carbon content and the general state of the old oils.

At this point we will fuel up with your first tank of B100g Biodiesel. Due to the detergent characteristics of biodiesel, and the flushing effect this has on the fuel system, the fuel filter will be changed after 24 hours. Depending upon our initial consultation, the age and anticipated workload or function of the vehicle, Pro Green may at this point elect to drain and flush the fuel tank and injection pump of the vehicle. We will again retain the fuel filter for analysis.

The filter change and analysis procedure will be repeated at the end of the first week and again after one month. After this final analysis, the standard service interval recommended by the Original Engine Manufacturers will be resumed.

Pro Green will have technicians available at all times during the changeover to consult with the clients about any issues during the transition. We will continually conduct vehicle checks for the customer and will report on these checks as required.

We will assist in fuel storage and handling issues. Pro Green technicians can assess your current storage facilities for biodiesel compatibility or we can lease our own storage tank/terminals. Our tanks are delivered with onboard heaters, reusable breather cap, moisture filters (to alleviate condensation issues) and onboard fuel filters that filter our fuels to 2 microns as the fuel is pumped into your vehicle.

Pro Green will deliver a Carbon Reduction Statement with each fuel invoice. These invoices reflect the reduced amount of carbon emitted by your vehicle by using Pro Green B100g over conventional fossil diesel as specified by the Australian Greenhouse Office Factors and Methods Workbook 2006. This document may act as a tool for your company's carbon accounting or for future carbon trading purposes."

To work with Pro Green to make the switch from fossil diesel to biodiesel, please contact them at:

Pro Green Biofuels P/L
2/121 Miller Street
Epping Victoria 3076
Ph: 03 9408 6799
Fax: 03 9408 4330

Danny Williams Managing Director
0417 978 426

Peter Monostory Distribution Manager
0415 380 294

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