Biodiesel is a popular subject these days due to many factors including world tensions, oil prices, and the environmental impact of petroleum based fuels. There is a lot of information floating around regarding Biodiesel, some true and some not. Below sits our fact sheet of things to know about Biodiesel.
o The process of turning vegetable oil into Biodiesel is called transesterification.
o Biodiesel is a processed fuel unlike unprocessed alternative-fuels like straight vegetable oil or waste vegetable oil which some diesel engines have been modified to use.
o Biodiesel is cleaner burning than conventional diesel fuel.
o Biodiesel produces fewer emissions during the manufacturing phase than standard petroleum based fuel.
o During the transesterification process, the natural glycerines found in vegetable are separated out and become the only byproduct of the manufacturing of Biodiesel.
o While Biodiesel can and is being produced by current crops of corn and other vegetables, there is research being done on producing vegetables with less focus on taste and more on the quantities of oil they produce.
o Biodiesel is usually yellow in color, although the shade of yellow can vary from production facility to production facility.
o Biodiesel is registered and approved as a fuel and fuel additive by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
o Biodiesel can be used pure or blended with standard diesel fuel.
o Biodiesel can be produced from mustard, rapeseed, soybeans, palm oil,
hemp, algae, and more.
o Used vegetable oil, like that found from restaurants and delicatessens, can also be manufactured into Biodiesel.
o Despite the fact that it is often falsely stated, Biodiesel and raw vegetable oil are not the same thing.
o Biodiesel can be produced at home or bought at fuel stations that deal in alternative fuel either alongside standard fuel or by itself.
o The power derived from Biodiesel is comparable to standard diesel fuel.
o Most manufacturers' warranties cover the use of Biodiesel in their vehicles.
o The emissions from Biodiesel are safer for bystanders to breathe than that of conventional gasoline or diesel.
o Except under rare circumstances, no engine modifications are needed to run a vehicle on Biodiesel.
o When storing Biodiesel use the same standards and procedures you would use storing gasoline or petroleum based diesel.
o Up to 20% of tailpipe emissions can be reduced by using Biodiesel.
o Biodiesel is rated as less toxic than table salt.
o Biodiesel is biodegradable at about the same rate as that of sugar.
o Biodiesel has a flash point of over 125°C (257°F) and as a result it is safer to store than conventional diesel fuel.
o Because it is manufactured from farm raised crops, the purchase of Biodiesel benefits the farmers that raise those crops.
o Biodiesel can be blended with standard diesel fuel by the manufacturer or the home user can blend it as well.
o When Rudolph Diesel first showed his, at that time, new diesel engine at the World's Fair in 1898 in France it ran on Peanut Oil and it was quite common for diesel engines to run on vegetable oil until the 1920's.
Biodiesel is a viable and marketable alternative fuel that is ready for use in engines right now. More and more production facilities are being built and the demand for Biodiesel by consumers has been growing. The widespread use of Biodiesel would benefit those interested in their country being less dependent on oil producing nations, environmental issues, and high oil prices.
