Does BlackGold pump grease?

BlackGold does not pump grease from restaurants. Instead, BlackGold partners with
local pumpers, providing these existing businesses with a convenient, low-cost trap
grease discharge facility. Restaurants seeking trap grease service should contact
BlackGold to find a vendor who is recycling in their area.

Can your technology convert other materials to biodiesel?

Yes, BlackGold’s technology works with many plan- or animal-based fats, oils or
greases, not just sewer grease. BlackGold’s technology works independent of FFA and
Triglyceride content, from 100% FFA to 100% Triglyceride and any ratio in between.
Fryer oil, brown greases, yellow greases, animal fats, and virgin oils can be converted
to biodiesel with BlackGold’s technology.

Where is the best location for a FOG-to-Fuel® system?

Systems are best located in metropolitan areas, where sewer grease generation is
highest due to population and restaurant density. The FOG-to-Fuel® system is not
ideal for individual restaurants or rural areas. For additional information contact us at
info@blackgoldbiofuels.com.

Why is BlackGold’s process unique?

Prior to BlackGold’s breakthrough technology, there were very limited disposal
options for low-quality plant and animal based FOG because it could not be
successfully and cost-effectively converted to biodiesel. As FOG goes rancid it breaks
down into free fatty acid (FFA) molecules; the more rancid the grease, the more
FFA. Most sewer greases are 50-100% FFA. With conventional technology, high
levels of FFAs require multiple costly processes and real-time system adjustments
to prevent the formation of soaps that contaminate the fuel. BlackGold’s novel
technology can handle high concentrations and highly variable amounts of FFAs in a
single process, without adjustments, without producing soap – opening the door to
cost-effectively converting all sorts of low value FOG. After patenting its conversion
process, BlackGold developed and refined its fuel purification technologies, including
desulfurization. Grease trap waste often contains 300-500 ppm Sulfur; BlackGold’s
process lowers this to under 15 ppm.

What is FOG?

F.O.G. stands for Fats, Oils and Greases from plant and animal sources. Sewer FOG
is a nuisance pollutant material that is a common headache for wastewater utilities
and carries significant costs at every point in the disposal chain. Sewer FOG includes
fats, oils and greases used to process, cook and prepare food. A byproduct of food
preparation, FOG comes from meat, fats, lard, oil, shortening, butter, margarine, food
scraps, sauces, and dairy products. Sewer FOG is different than fryer oil or “yellow
grease,” which is the oil used in deep fryers that is rendered into a commodity and
sold for a myriad of uses. FOG does not include petroleum-based materials. See more
by clicking the SEWER GREASE tab.

What is Biodiesel?

Biodiesel is a cleaner-burning, renewable diesel fuel made from plant oils, recovered
greases, and animal fats. In its pure form or blended with petroleum diesel, biodiesel
can be used in any diesel engine with little or no modification. Blends are designated
BXX, where the XX denotes the percentage of biodiesel in the blend. In order to
be considered biodiesel, fuel must meet the national quality specification, ASTM
D 6751. Biodiesel users experience similar miles per gallon, torque, and power as
conventional diesel. Biodiesel can be used anywhere diesel is used, from an 18-
wheeler to a home heating oil furnace.

Fats and oils go through a chemical process that changes the oil molecules into
biodiesel. Biodiesel is different from ethanol (which is typically made from corn and
used in modified gasoline engines) and SVO (straight vegetable oil, or crude used
vegetable oil which some individuals use directly in a modified diesel vehicle).

Many fleets and individuals use biodiesel today. For example, in BlackGold’s
corporate hometown, Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Eagles use biodiesel in their
field maintenance equipment, the City of Philadelphia uses biodiesel in their garbage
collection trucks, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike uses biodiesel in its fleet. You can
purchase biodiesel directly from producers, petroleum distributors, or at many filling
stations — click here to find a biodiesel retailer in your area.

Biodiesel significantly reduces dangerous emissions compared to fossil fuel diesel.
Biodiesel reduces PAHs, which are compounds that have been identified as potential
cancer causing agents, and particulate matter, which is sooty black smoke that
is linked to health issues like respiratory illness and heart disease. Biodiesel also
reduces pollutants that are associated with smog and acid rain formation. Since
it is nontoxic and biodegradable, biodiesel is safer to handle and transport than
petroleum.
More information on biodiesel can be found at the National Biodiesel
Board, including where to buy biodiesel, and general fact sheets. Click here to
learn more about biodiesel’s advantages.

What’s the difference between trap grease and fryer grease?

Trap grease is very different from fryer oil (also known as used cooking oils or
recycled vegetable oil). Fryer oil is from a restaurant’s deep fryer. When it comes
out of the fryer it is put in special containers and collectors often pay restaurants for
this cooking by-product. The fryer grease is then sold as biodiesel feedstock or as an
animal feed additive. Trap grease is grease that has gone down a drain in a restaurant
and been captured in an underground sewer grease trap or interceptor. Restaurants
pay pumpers to take this odorous, contaminated waste away. Trap grease is one type
of sewer grease.

What’s the difference between brown and yellow grease?

The terms “Yellow” and “Brown” grease are generic industry terms that refer to
grades of partially rendered fats, oils, and greases based on their free fatty acid (FFA)
content. Yellow grease has less than 15% FFA. For example, most used fryer oil is
yellow grease. Brown grease has more than 15% FFA. For example, trap grease and
clarifier scum are brown greases.

Can I purchase BlackGold’s FOG-to-Fuel® system?

BlackGold typically builds, owns, and operates FOG-to-Fuel® facilities itself.
In certain circumstances a system sale would be considered – contact
info@blackgoldbiofuels.com for more information.

How is sewer grease collected?

Just like there is an industry pumping out septic tanks and transporting the wastes
to a wastewater treatment plant, there is also an industry that pumps out grease
traps. Grease traps need to be pumped in order to keep grease out of the sewers and
prevent pipes from backing up and causing overflows into kitchens. More information
on the pumping industry can be found here.

Do you have internships available?

BlackGold offers internships both in our business office and pilot plant for people
of all ages interested in building expertise in the renewable energy and cleantech
sectors. Availability varies; a minimum commitment of 30 hours/week for 6 weeks is
required. Submit your resume with a cover letter to hr@blackgoldbiofuels.com.