Biodiesel is made from a diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil and animal fats, biodiesel is a renewable, clean-burning diesel replacement that can be used in existing diesel engines without modification. It is the nation’s first domestically produced, commercially available advanced biofuel.
Biodiesel improves fuel lubricity and raises the cetane number of the fuel. Diesel engines depend on the lubricity of the fuel to keep moving parts from wearing prematurely. One unintended side effect of the federal regulations, which have reduced allowable fuel sulfur to only 15 ppm and lowered aromatics content, has been to reduce the lubricity of petroleum diesel. To address this, the ASTM D975 diesel fuel specification was modified to add a lubricity requirement (a maximum wear scar diameter on the high-frequency reciprocating rig [HFRR] test of 520 microns). Biodiesel can increase fuel lubricity to diesel fuels at blend levels as low as 1%.
Compatibility
Nearly all diesel engines dating back to 1993 can use biodiesel in place of petroleum diesel without any modifications. It can be used on its own for emission reduction or blended with petroleum diesel when you are seeking to maintain the power delivered by petroleum products.
Economic Development
Biodiesel has a bright future because it offers a viable petroleum diesel alternative. Demand for biofuel continues to rise across the board, forecasting an industry with promising job opportunities. According to National Biodiesel Board, 2.8 billion gallons of biodiesel were produced in the United States in 2016 and the industry supported 64,000 jobs nationwide.
Biodiesel in its pure unblended form causes far less damage to the environment when spilled than petroleum diesel. It is less combustable, safe to handle, store, and transport making it safer than petroleum. The flashpoint for biodiesel is higher than 130°C, compared with about 52°C for petroleum diesel.
Biodiesel…
- Lowers particulate matter (smog) by 47%
- Reduces greenhouse gases by 80%
- Reduces hydrocarbon emission by 67%
- Is non-toxic and biodegradable
Life cycle emissions are reduced when using biodiesel because carbon dioxide released from biodiesel combustion is offset by the carbon dioxide absorbed from growing soybeans or other feedstocks used to produce the fuel.
Using biodiesel reduces life cycle emissions because carbon dioxide released from biodiesel combustion is offset by the carbon dioxide absorbed from growing soybeans or other feedstocks used to produce the fuel. Life cycle analysis completed by Argonne National Laboratory found that B100 use reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 74% compared with petroleum diesel. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) from various sources for its life cycle analysis of biodiesel.
Sustainability
No one knows exactly how long the world’s oil reserves will last, but there is no doubt that they are limited. Unlike standard diesel which has limited supply, biodiesel is made from simple plant based and 100% renewable ingredients like vegetable oil.
Precautions to take when switching to Biofuel:
- Buy B20 from a reputable source
- Buy fuel that is already blended. It will ensure that the biodiesel has been properly treated and blended for climatic needs.
- Never buy fuel produced out of a garage or backyard
- Biodiesel is a cleaning agent, therefore petroleum deposits may end up in the fuel filter until the system is clean. Maintain your regular cleaning schedule unless your vehicle feels sluggish when accelerating. This could be a symptom of a plugged filter and should be checked immediately.