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Biodiesel and Fuel Production

December 5, 2008

Biodiesel also dramatically reduces other emissions and the exhaust doesn’t smell bad (some say it smells like popcorn or french fries). And biodiesel is 100% renewable . Biodiesel burns cleaner than regular diesel, and improves engine performance. Biodiesel production and distribution create local jobs, increase the local tax base from plant operations and income taxes, and can raise the price to farmers for production agriculture inputs such as soybean oil. Biodiesel, the biodegradable and renewable alternative to fossil fuels, is made by the alkali-catalysed transesterification of oil or fat. Readily available sources of oil or fat, such as used cooking oils, could be a cheap source of feedstock for biodiesel production.

Biodiesel prices are being pushed up by a confluence of events. With oil nearing $140 a barrel, all of the petroleum-powered biodiesel processing steps have become that much more expensive. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics. Biodiesel from soybeans is sometimes called soydiesel, methyl soyate, or soy methyl esters (SME). In Europe, most biodiesel is made from rapeseed oil and methanol and it is known as rapeseed methyl esters (RME).

BioDiesel is happy to be a part of the Green Apple Festival this year in the lovely green city of Denver, which will be our first time west of the Mississippi. As you know, BioDiesel is more than just a name, we’re committed to being an eco-friendly act and hope to help spread awareness through these two shows. Biodiesel is thus essentially free of sulfur and aromatics. Biodiesel is made up of almost 10% oxygen, making it a naturally “oxygenated” fuel. Biodiesel does not add any carbon because it utilises the amount of carbon which naturally circulates between the atmosphere and the biosphere (photosynthesis). Conventional fossil diesel however, does add to the overall level of carbon by extracting carbon deposited in the geosphere (mineral deposits) and releasing it into the atmosphere.

Biodiesel strengthens Maui’s and the nation’s energy security while generating new industry and high-quality jobs. Imported oil is expected to grow to 70 percent very soon. Biodiesel is made through a process called transesterification. This process makes vegetable oil and animal fat into esterified oil, which can be used as diesel fuel, or mixed with regular diesel fuel. Biodiesel can be made in your own backyard with little start up cost involved and works out at about 30 pence per litre.

Biodiesel made from soy or palm oil may hasten climate change too: Amazonian rain forests have been leveled to grow those crops to satisfy biofuel-crazy Europe. Biodiesel is a domestically produced, renewable alternative to diesel fuel and can be made from plant oils, animal fats, recycled cooking oils or new sources such as algae. Biodiesel must be properly processed to meet the approved ASTM specifications regardless of the feedstock used to produce it. Biodiesel is extremely low in sulphur , and has a high lubricity and fast biodegradability . These are all advantages which have been confirmed by various EC Commission programmes and tests of independent research institutes.

Biodiesel has also been used extensively in heavy-machinery, like tractors, loaders, and agricultural equipment, with no noticeable difference. Biodiesel producers/suppliers were also invited to participate. Of those contacted, seven participated via an industry-focused survey and two were available for extensive interviews, site visits and follow-up correspondence. Biodiesel-makers usually fall in one of two categories: homebrewer or commercial producer. If you are interested in making biodiesel for your own consumption or for a small group of people, then you fall into the homebrewer category.

Biodiesel is one of the most promising replacements for traditional petroleum energy. As an alternative fuel, biodiesel is simply diesel fuel made from a variety of biomass sources. Biodiesel is a clean-burning, renewable fuel. It can be produced from a variety of fats and vegetable oils, including: oilseeds such as canola and soybeans, rendered animal fats, recycled restaurant grease, and palm oil. Biodiesel has been called ?liquid solar energy? The plants grown to produce biodiesel consume carbon dioxide (CO2), so they naturally balance most of the CO2 released when the fuel is combusted, offsetting a major contributing factor to global warming.

Biodiesel is a naturally grown, alternative fuel source. It’s a cleaner burning fuel and therefore substantially reduces emissions of pollutants, such as air toxics and hydrocarbons. Biodiesel has a density of ~ 0.88 g/cm, less than that of water. Biodiesel uncontaminated with starting material can be regarded as non-toxic. BioDiesel in India is virtually a non-starter. There are many reasons for that.

Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Biodiesel also furthers the rural farm economy by creating markets for crops such as soybeans and cottonseed. In 2004,there were 22 plants nationwide with a capacity to produce 157 million gallons of fuel. Biodiesel is one such alternative — and is one of the fastest growing sectors of the US economy. As air quality deteriorates in major centers, governments are scrambling for ways to reduce emissions and are embracing biodiesel in their fleets.

Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification (trans-es-TARE-if-ih-cay-shun). One of several methods are used to separate the glycerin from the fat or vegetable oil. Biodiesel has a solvent effect on natural rubber hoses and seals. While newer diesel engines have polymer hoses and seals (such as Dupont’s “Viton” brand), older engines may need to be outfitted with new hoses and/or seals made of viton. Biodiesel is known chemically as a ‘fatty acid methyl ester’. Which is just a fancy way of saying it’s a product made from Methanol and an organic oil with fatty acid chains in it.

Biodiesel also reduces tailpipe exhaust emissions, minimizing black smoke and smog-causing particulate matter, odor, and harmful carcinogens. It also does not contribute to sulfur dioxide emissions (acid rain). Biodiesel is a perfect replacement for petrodiesel, and has achieved a full national standard (ASTM D 6751). You just pour it into your tank and use it without any modifications to the vehicle. Biodiesel fuel become popular nowadays in most of countries. Petroleum oil price increase every day, and now the oil’s price is over $127 per barrel.

Biodiesel can also be used as a petroleum diesel fuel additive to provide increased lubricity. Such an application is particularly valuable when using low and ultra-low sulfur diesel fuels, as the reduction sulfur levels results in decreased fuel lubricity. Biodiesel is blended with regular diesel fuel (or petrodiesel) and is referred to by the percentage blend. For example, B5 is 5% biodiesel and 95% petrodiesel. Biodiesel typically produces about 60% less net carbon dioxide emissions than petroleum-based diesel , as it is itself (partially, at least) produced from atmospheric carbon dioxide via photosynthesis in plants.

Biodiesel should not be confused with straight vegetable oil, which is untreated oil that some people use as fuel in their modified diesel cars. Biodiesel is a more standardized product that can be used in most diesel engines without any modifications. Biodiesel will start removing that, so what happens potentially is you might have to start changing out fuel filters. I was expecting a rush of fuel filter changes and engine breakdowns, but didn?t get any.

Written by Mat Nayie · Filed Under Biodiesel, Energy 

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