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Fried turkeys present biodiesel "opportunity"

FLORENCE - After the FryDaddys turn the turkeys golden brown, the city hopes to collect the used cooking oil for its recycling program that transforms the potential drain clogger into biodiesel for city vehicles.

The program started earlier this year and so far, the city has chemically converted used cooking oil into 800 gallons of biodiesel that can be used directly or in combination with petroleum-based diesel.

"We want that oil from the turkeys," said Mike Doyle, wastewater manager who has taken on the project along with David Koonce, recycling manager.

"We're hoping that a lot of people fry turkeys and we'll get a bunch in," Koonce said.

The city continues to collect used cooking oil from residents, even as the city's biodiesel production stalls because the cold weather thickens the oil and makes it difficult to separate from solids and water.

The city constructed its own biodiesel facility that combines the cooking oil with methanol and produces biodiesel and glycerin, commonly found in soaps.
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The recycling plant has 200 gallons of cooking oil that will have to wait until the warmer temperatures of spring to be transformed into the alternative fuel.

"We're not in a hurry because of the weather," Koonce said.