Biodiesel Fuel

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that is synthesized from the oils and fats found in soybean oil. The oil and fatty substance in soybean oil are hydrocarbons like crude oil found around the world. Once the hydrocarbons are extracted, they are mixed with methanol and a catalyst, which is commonly sodium or potassium hydroxide. The ensuing chemical reaction produces biodiesel. Biodiesel production costs range from around 50 cents to 90 cents per gallon, and what is interesting about biodiesel is that it can be synthesized from your home in small batches. Biodiesel processors are now available on the market for everyone to use. Making biodiesel is simple. Once you have the necessary processors, all you need is oil, which any local McDonalds has in excess.

Biodiesel Comparison

Biodiesel is fueling the way lowered dependence on oil reserves. Biodiesel is an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered renewable, clean burning alternative fuel that can be used either in conjunction with, or as a complete substitute for petroleum diesel. Contrary to diesel's origins as crude oil, Biodiesel is synthesized from natural oils like soybean oil, which is not only renewable but is grown domestically in large quantities. Biodiesel can be a useful by itself, but a mix of 20% biodiesel combined with 80% petroleum diesel is the most efficient "mixer," that balances carbon emissions and cost increases within fleet operations.

Biodiesel performance produces similar figures to petroleum diesel. Tests involving more than 50 million road and off-road miles concluded that biodiesel and petroleum diesel consumption, horsepower, and torque were essentially the same. Tests also concluded that biodiesel has a higher octane rating than petroleum diesel.

Advantages for using biodiesel are that its less of a pollutant that petroleum diesel, sulfur is absent in 100% biodiesel and that biodiesel is cheaper to use than other alternative fuels such as ethanol fuel. One of the more publicizes advantages of biodiesel use is the impact it has on emissions. Standard petroleum diesel emits large amounts of carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides and sulfates, which are major components of acid rain. Biodiesel emissions, however, contain practically no sulfur oxides or sulfates. Furthermore, biodiesel use provides a great reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, which are a major factor in ozone depletion and smog. The U.S. Department of Agriculture concluded that biodiesel can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by almost 80 percent when compared to petroleum diesel. Figures also estimate that biodiesel can reduce the risk of asthma by 47% and lower carbon monoxide emitions by 48%. Since the harmful emissions of biodiesel are lower than petroleum diesel, it stands to say that biodiesel is a healthier fuel than petroleum diesel, both for you and the environment.

Biodiesel is even cost effective, and a tax initiative from the federal government is making it even more inexpensive to produce, which is helping biodiesel become readily available in a growing number of gas stations around the country.

If you already own a diesel engine, the switch to biodiesel is seamless. Biodiesel can be used with existing petroleum diesel engines, and it requires little or even no modifications to the existing engine or fuel system. The only thing to look out for is biodiesel's natural solvent property that could release deposits that are accumulated on gas tank walls.

Biodiesel Research

As biodiesel research and knowledge increase, the move toward the mainstream market is beginning to receive more and more credibility. Individuals have already begun to see biodiesel as a viable alternative, but it is just recently that corporations have begun to see the same advantages to the fuel. In late January, Corporate Express, a computer and office product supplier based in Broomfield, Colorado, has announced that it will put hybrid trucks designed by Isuzu to the text in its delivery fleet as early as April 2008. Corporate Express is one of the first companies to put biodiesel to the test. The trucks tested will contain 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel, which is considered to be the optimal mixture in terms of cost, lowered emissions and steady performance. The goal for Corporate Express is not to lower costs, but to lower negative environmental impact. Pop stars Linkin Park have also announced that they will go on tour with biodiesel busses.

One of the biggest hurdles for corporations to accept biodiesel is the cost. As of yet, biodiesel provides very little cost incentive for corporations to buy into it. The primary reason for companies getting biodiesel comes from an ethical obligation to respect the environment.

Another example of converting from petroleum diesel to biodiesel, is fresh vegetable company Dole Food. Late in January, the company announced that it has converted 95 pieces of farm equipment-including tractors, harvesters and transport vehicles-to run on B20 biodiesel. The change is unlikely to lower Dole's production costs, but it will lower their carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide emissions by a substantial percentage. These lowered emissions are in line with Dole's mission to quality products.

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