Alternative Energy Bulletin

Biodiesel

Biodiesel is a combustible fuel similar to standard petroleum diesel.  However, unlike petroleum diesel, biodiesel is renewable and can be made from any vegetable oil or animal fat.  Approximately half of the biodiesel fuel currently produced in the United States comes from soybean oil.  The remaining half comes mostly from cooking oil recycled by restaurants.

A blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel, otherwise known as B20, is considered safe for all diesel-burning equipment.  Higher blends of biodiesel, including pure biodiesel, can be used in many post-1994 engines with only slight modifications.

Benefits of Biodiesel

• Biodiesel reduces the amount of harmful particulates, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide released into the atmosphere.

• Biodiesel is less combustible than petroleum, making it safer to store and transport.

• Biodiesel is biodegradable.  Should it spill, it will break down about four times faster than petroleum diesel.

• Producing biodiesel allows countries to reduce their dependence on petroleum.

• Biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions to near zero, because the biomass (plants and animals) used to make biodiesel absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as the biomass grows.  Burning biodiesel merely releases this absorbed carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.
  

Drawbacks of Biodiesel

• Use of biodiesel results in increased levels of harmful nitrogen oxide emissions when used in diesel engines.

• Pure biodiesel has a high "clouding" point, meaning that biodiesel begins to thicken into a solid at low temperatures.  This make biodiesel more difficult to store and transport in cold climates.

The famous country singer-songwriter Willie Nelson, is a strong supporter of biodiesel.  He even has his own company that produces biodiesel fuel.  (See:  Willie Nelson Biodiesel)

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