What is BioDiesel?
Biodiesel is a renewable, oxygenated fuel made from a variety of agricultural resources such as soybeans or rapeseeds.
One of the primary advantages of biodiesel is its renewability. As a renewable, domestic energy source, biodiesel can help reduce dependence on petroleum imports.
Biodiesel is nontoxic, biodegradable, and suitable for sensitive environments. Biodiesel contains no petroleum but can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. Biodiesel refers to the pure alternative fuel before blending with petroleum-based diesel fuel. Biodiesel blends are denoted as "BXX," with "XX" representing the percentage of biodiesel contained in the blend. For example, B20 fuel is a blend of 20 percent biodiesel with 80 percent conventional diesel. B100 is pure biodiesel.
Biodiesel is the result of a chemical process that separates cold-pressed product into methyl esters (biodiesel) and glycerin (a valuable co-product with numerous uses). Raw vegetable oil is not considered biodiesel. Much of the biodiesel produced in the U.S. comes from soybeans. It also can be made from other new and recycled oilseed crops, animal fats, and grease.
Biodiesel (or biofuel) is the name for a variety of ester-based fuels (fatty esters) generally defined as the monoalkyl esters made from vegetable oils, such as soybean oil, canola or hemp oil, or sometimes from animal fats through a simple transesterification process. This renewable source is as efficient as petroleum diesel in powering unmodified diesel engine.
Biodiesel fuel is a clean burning alternative fuel that comes from 100% renewable resources. It is considered the fuel of the future. Biodiesel does not contain petroleum, but can be mixed with petroleum to produce a biodiesel blend that can be used in a variety of vehicles. Pure biodiesel fuel, though, can only be used in diesel engines. Biodiesel is biodegradable and non-toxic, making it so safe that common table salt has been proven more toxic.
Biodiesel is not like vegetable oil alternative fuels. Biodiesel can be used in its unaltered form in diesel engines. Vegetable oil fuels must be modified and used only in combustion- ignition engines. This makes biodiesel one of the easiest alternative fuels to use. In fact, it is a great option for use on farms in farm equipment.
Biodiesel fuel is made through a process called transesterfication. This process involves removing the glycerin from the vegetable oil or fat. During the process byproducts are left behind, including methyl esters and glycerin. Biodiesel is free from such substances as sulfur and aromatics which are found in traditional fuels.
The unique qualities of biodiesel makes it unlike other alternative fuels. It has passed all the health effects testing requirements, unlike other alternative fuels. This means it meets the standards of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. Biodiesel is legally registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as a fuel that can be legally sold and distributed. Other alternative fuels can not be legally sold as motor fuel because they do not meet the EPA's fuel specifications.
One of the best things about biodiesel fuel is that is it not harmful to the environment like traditional fuels. Biodiesel is made from renewable resources which means it is safe for the environment. It does not produce the high emissions like traditional fuels. Biodiesel does not cause harmful effects to the environment that will produce lasting effects on generations to come.
Biodiesel is also good for the economy because unlike traditional fuels, the resources to make biodiesel come form within the United States. It is made with products grown in the USA without having to involve politics with other countries. The country can become less dependent upon foreign countries for fuel supplies and the money goes right back into the US economy.
Biodiesel is an innovative fuel that is rapidly becoming more available to the general public. It can be found around the country in select places or it can be bought directly from producers. It costs a little more than traditional fuels at the current time because the demand is not as great. However, as demand grows and the public realizes the benefits of a biodegradable, renewable fuel source, the price will drop. Right now, though, the cheapest way to get biodiesel fuel is to make it at home yourself.
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