Gorse, aka ulex europaeus, grows wild in coastal regions of the state of Oregon in USA (i.e., the Pacific Northwest). Many say gorse can be pressed for oil and reacted (transesterification) with methanol to make biodiesel. I have found no one who has done it, however. Has anyone on this forum made biodiesel from gorse? If yes, could they comment on pros and cons of gorse oil. If not, does anyone have a link to anyone, or group, that has made biodiesel from gorse? I understand it grows in Australia and New Zealand.

g100,
I have not heard of this as a biodiesel feedstock.
Do you have any information on where you got this story from?
Few, if any, members of this forum are pressing their oun seed as biodiesel feedstock.


Regards,
Tony

I don't mean to overstate the potential of gorse as a source. It is mentioned, but often only as a possibility. See page 57 on the following link for a typical discussion. http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/copy_of_news-...0(revised).pdf See also this mention of a research grant at Oregon State University, where I have enquired but not heard back from yet. Murthy, Ganti (Biological and Ecological Engineering, Agricultural Sciences and Engineering): "Recovering Valuable Products from Gorse (Ulex europaeus)" Incentive Programs, Research Office, Oregon State University

Here is one example of a reference to using gorse for biodiesel and other alternative fuels.

http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/copy_of_news-...0(revised).pdf