Bio-Fuel Updates

That is a great question.  A totally 100% answer may never be given - as long term effects we may never know.  But we do know that Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act.  Biodiesel burned in a conventional diesel engine will have a substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter compared to regular diesel fuel.

Also the exhaust emissions of the sulfur oxides and sulfates from biodiesel are essentially eliminated compared to regular diesel fuel.

Based on engine testing, using the most stringent emissions testing protocols required by EPA for certification of fuels or fuel additives in the US, the overall ozone forming potential of the speciated hydrocarbon emissions from biodiesel was nearly 50% less than that measured for diesel fuel.

BioDiesel is a renewable resource that is used in diesel engines as a petroleum alternative.  It is Clean Burning fuel, produced from plant matter such as canola or soybeans.  It can be mixed with petroleum (i.e. diesel fuel) to create a wide variety of blends.  These are usually labeled with a ‘B’ and the percentage of BioDiesel the blend contains.  Therefore a B10 would contain 10% BioDiesel and a B100 would be 100% BioDiesel.

To operate a diesel engine with BioDiesel you require little or no modifications.  BioDiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.  Flowability may a concern in colder temperatures - although you can either lower the percentage of BioDiesel in your blend, or add a pre-heater to your system.

BioDiesel is made through a process called transesterification.  What this does is separate the glycerin from the fat or vegetable oil.  The process leaves behind two products, one being methyl esters (which is the official name for BioDiesel) and the other being glycerin.  Glycerin is a valuable bi-product that can be used in soaps and other products.