Biodiesel is made from the process called “esterificiation” in which industrial alcohol (ethanol or methanol) and a catalyst (substance that enables a chemical reaction) use to convert the base oil into biodiesel. In the initial stage of this process, biodiesel is known as “neat biodiesel” or B100. One of the advantages of biodiesel is that it can be blended with conventional diesel. Almost all the diesel engines can run on biodiesel without needing any special additional equipment.

Rudolf Diesel was the one who demonstrated a Diesel engine running on peanut oil built by the French Otto Company at the World Fair in Paris, France in 1900. Though it powered by peanut, that was not biodiesel. Lots of researches were done on biodiesel all through this time. But in 1977, Expedito Parente, a Brazilian scientist produced biodiesel using transesterification with ethanol. In 1979, South Africa initiated the research into the use of transesterified sunflower oil and refining it to diesel fuel standards.

By 1983, the process for producing fuel-quality, engine-tested biodiesel was completed and published internationally. Large number of Bio diesel plants were opened in many countries including Germany, Sweden and Czech Republic in the 90s.

It is proved that Vehicles have similar horsepower and torque as conventional diesel when running on biodiesel. The price of biodiesel blends can vary depending on geographic area, base material (corn, soybeans, etc.), and supplier. Biodiesel has many advantages over the conventional diesel. Biodiesel is harmless, eco-friendly and biodegradable. The biodiesel has a very high cetane number and this high cetane numbers of biodiesel assists to easy cold starting and low idle noise.

Other major advantage is that the life of diesel engines is extended with the biodiesel, because it is more lubricating and additionally, power output is comparatively unaltered by biodiesel. Finally, the eco-friendly biodiesel fuel substitutes the exhaust odor of petroleum diesel with a more pleasant smell of popcorn or French fries.

Now, biodiesel is slowly becoming available in almost all countries. In United States approximately 800 locations are serving the various blends of biodiesel. Price of the biodiesel is also low compared to other conventional petroleum products. As it is the eco friendly alternative fuel, it would be our main source of fuel in the near future.

Clifton is a qualified mechanical engineer committed to finding alternative fuel sources that can be incorporated into everyday life. Alternative energy sources with reduced environmental effects will need to be discovered and used in order to generate the power requirements our lifestyle currently demands.

Many vehicles are fueled by diesel, but with the increasing demand for environmentally safer fuels many diesel users are asking for better alternatives, too. Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel. It’s a vegetable oil-based fuel that can run in an unmodified, or slightly modified, diesel engine. It is produced through a chemically-refined process called trans-esterification. Essentially, biodiesel is a renewable fuel made by a chemical reaction of alcohol and vegetable or animal oils, fats, or greases, that seaparates the glycerins in the oil from the methyl esters. It is methyl esters which form the biodiesel and they can be merged with regular diesel or it can be used alone. Biodiesel is biodegradable, nontoxic, and free of sulfur.

Pros Of Using Biodiesel

Contrary to popular beliefs, biodiesel is not raw vegetable oil. As an alternative fuel, biodiesel must be manufactured according to strict industry specifications in order to insure proper performance and is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act. Biodiesel is nearly carbon-neutral, which means it contributes almost zero emissions to global warming.

Biodiesel has fewer emissions than standard diesel, is biodegradable, and is a renewable source of energy. The exhaust emissions of sulfur and its related compounds contribute to the formation of acid rain; carbon monoxide is a widely recognized toxin; and carbon dioxide contributes to the greenhouse effect. There are also some lesser known emission compounds that cause concern, such hydrocarbons that have been linked to the formation of certain types of cancer. Particulate matter has negative health effects upon the lungs, and unburned hydrocarbons contribute to the formation of smog and ozone. These are basically eliminated when biodiesel is used instead of regular diesel. Biodiesel also lubricates the engine better than petroleum diesel, which helps reduce engine friction and wear and extends engine life.

Cons Of Using Biodiesel

Of course, as with any other fuel source, biodiesel has its downsides. Pure biodiesel gets slushy at a little under 32°F which is a definite problem in those areas that experience freezing or sub-freezing temperatures during the winter. However, combined with some petroleum based diesel, the temperature resistance can be greatly improved. It does create more nitrogen oxides which contribute to smog. Biodiesel initially cost a little more than regular diesels but with the steady cost increases for petroleum-based diesels that cost difference is now negligible. In addition, for older engines its solvent effects may corrode any natural rubbers. Although it can be used in newer diesel engines, when switched to from petroleum-based diesel, there is a need for frequent changes of fuel and oil filters. Biodiesel will begin to clean out the residues left from petroleum, which is why the filters need frequent replacement but this only lasts for a short time.

A Final Thought

Biodiesel is an up and coming player in the alternative fuel market. Although it is not as readily available as other fuels, it has passed all the health effect testing requirements of the Clean Air Act. It is made with products grown in the USA without having to involve other countries. The country can become less dependent upon foreign countries for fuel supplies and the money goes right back into the U.S. economy. As a choice for the future, its advantages far outweigh any potential drawbacks.

Abhishek is an avid Environmentalist and he has got some great Alternative Fuel Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 70 Pages Ebook, “Energy Conservation And Alternative Fuel” from his website http://www.Wonder-Homes.com/643/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

With the price of gas soaring and our country’s dependency on foreign fuel, are you looking for an alternative fuel source? Biodiesel may be just that fuel source you are looking for. What is biodiesel you may be asking? Biodiesel is an alternative fuel source made from vegetable oil. You can use this fuel in any vehicle that uses regular petroleum diesel fuel. There are places in some states that you can buy biodiesel fuel, but you can also make it yourself with a biodiesel kit.

This alternative fuel source has many benefits compared to petroleum. One benefit is the price. Biodiesel fuel can be produced for much less than its petroleum counterpart. If you are making it yourself, you will need to purchase a biodiesel kit. These can be gotten for a couple thousand dollars, you may be thinking “Wow, that’s a lot of money.” But if you think about it, once the savings over gas prices add up to the cost of the kit, all savings after that go straight to your wallet. This will definitely put a little breathing room into your budget. If you are not making biodiesel yourself, and are lucky enough to live in an area where there is a biodiesel station, your savings will add up a lot faster.

Another very important benefit of this fuel alternative is it is very environmentally friendly. It is completely biodegradable. Emissions are almost nonexistent. Biodiesel fuel burns clean and is nontoxic. This means not only does it help the planet but it is not harmful to humans as well. Since biodiesel also does not contain sulfur, its emissions do not contribute to acid rain. Using biodiesel fuel also reduces the cancer causing particulates from being released into the air.

One benefit closely related to the environmental issue is the fact that biodiesel is a renewable resource. This means it can be made over and over. It does not have to be pumped out of the ground. You need some more biodiesel fuel? Just plant another crop and you can make some more. This has a hidden advantage of allowing farmers to make their farms profitable again. This in turn helps the economy as well as the environment.

One other benefit of using biodiesel as an alternative fuel source is safety. The point at which biodiesel will catch fire is much higher than petroleum based fuel. This makes biodiesel much safer to transport and store. It also means if a vehicle that is using biodiesel is involved in an accident it is much less likely to explode. The safety issues alone make this a very attractive alternative fuel.

Biodiesel fuel has a lot of benefits as an alternative fuel source. So, are there any disadvantages to using biodiesel? The only one is if you have a vehicle made before about 1994, you will need to keep a close eye on the hoses of the fuel system. Biodiesel fuel can soften the rubber used to make the hoses. After 1994, most vehicles were made with synthetic hoses and this is not an issue. Another issue you should be aware of is the first few times you use biodiesel you may get a clogged up fuel system. This is because biodiesel fuel will clean out all the old gunk in your fuel system. It will pull all the residue left on the walls of your gas tank off, which in turn may clog up some of the lines. If you are aware of this and watching out for it you should not have any problems.

As an alternative fuel source, biodiesel is top notch. It is a renewable source, since it is made from vegetable oil all you do is grow another crop. This in turn allows farmers to make their farms profitable again (another hidden benefit). It is less expensive to produce, good for your wallet. It is environmentally friendly, not causing a lot of the problems as petroleum based fuel. It is also human friendly, less cancer causing issues, as well as breathing issues. It is also safer to transport and store. It also lessens our country’s dependency on foreign oil, this would most certainly help our economy.

Rae Bennett is the owner and author of Want Info About [http://www.wantinfoabout.com], offering information on a variety of subjects. For more information and resources about this subject visit Biodiesel [http://biodiesel.wantinfoabout.com].

This article may be reprinted in full as long as no changes are made to it and the resource box and live links are left intact. All rights reserved. Copyright [http://www.wantinfoabout.com].

Biodiesel fuel is a fuel made from the oil of certain oilseed crops such as soybean, canola, palm kernel, coconut, sunflower, safflower, corn and a hundreds of other oil producing crops. The oil is extracted by the use of a press. The oil is then mixed in specific proportions with other agents which causes a chemical reaction. The results of this reaction are two products, biodiesel and soap.

After a final filtration, the biodiesel is ready for use. After curing, the glycerin soap which is produced as a by product can be used as is, or can have scented oils added before use.

Biodiesel fuel is not a new development; however it has gotten quite a lot of publicity lately. This is largely due to the rising cost of crude oil which puts a strain on the consumer’s wallet at the gas pump. Biodiesel fuel is one alternative to relying on fossil fuels to operate our vehicles.

In 1895 Dr. Rudolph Diesel introduced the first diesel engine intended to run on vegetable oil. In 1900 he presented his engine at the World Exhibition in Paris. This diesel engine used peanut oil as fuel.

In 1912 Dr. Diesel predicted that in the future the use of vegetable oils as a fuel may be as important as the use of petroleum and coal was in his day. With the volatile nature of oil producing countries, and the ever surging cost of crude oil, interest in vegetable oils as fuel has been rekindled, so it seems Dr Diesel may have had a glimpse into the world of today.

Biodiesel fuel has several advantages over fossil fuel. The most celebrated advantage is that biodiesel fuel is less costly to make than gasoline. As an added bonus, biodiesel is environmentally friendly fuel. The use of biodiesel in an unmodified diesel engine will substantially reduce the emissions of harmful unburned hydrocarbons, sulfates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide.

Biodiesel fuel works in almost any diesel engine. Just some of the equipment where these engines can be found is cars, trucks, tractors, planes, trains, boats, buses and almost all agricultural equipment. As you can see this adds up to a lot of potential use for biodiesel, and just as many chances to reduce the harmful emissions created from the use of fossil fuels.

So what makes biodiesel fuel such a promising fossil fuel alternative? Here are a few of the surprising facts pertaining to biodiesel.

Biodiesel fuel can be made from renewable resources such as vegetable oils and animal fats.

Biodiesel fuel reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80%.

Biodiesel reduces the formation of acid rain because it produces no sulfur dioxide, which is the key element in creating acid rain.

Biodiesel fuel smells better at the tank, so filling up is a more pleasant task than with regular diesel. Biodiesel also smells better on the road, with the exhaust sometimes being described as smelling like French fries or doughnuts.

Biodiesel burns much cleaner, so the black smelly smoke one usually sees puffing from vehicles which use diesel engines can be eliminated.

An added advantage over regular fuel is that biodiesel fuel takes considerably less time to degrade in the event of a spill, usually about twenty eight days, which is about four times faster than gasoline or regular diesel fuel.

The extra lubrication provided by biodiesel fuel helps improve the longevity of your engine, as well as boosting engine performance, also helping eliminate engine knocks and noise.

Biodiesel fuel can be stored in any type of tank already approved for fuel storage, giving more savings to both businesses and consumers.

Biodiesel has a much higher flash point at 300 degrees to be exact, than regular diesel, at 150 degrees.

Biodiesel can be mixed with regular diesel fuel to make blends, such as B5 or B20.

Most diesel engines can use biodiesel without having to be modified in any way.

With all the advantages biodiesel fuel has over conventional diesel, it makes a smart alternative which not only makes a difference in our wallets, but also to the Earth itself.

You can make your own BioDiesel at home. Save cost and save the environment! Check out more information for FREE at Biodiesel Fuel

Alternative fuel biodiesel is clean-burning, biodegradable, all natural and renewable. It can be produced from waste oil, as well as oil produced from a variety of crops such as rapeseed, soy & palm.

Biodiesel is an environmentally friendly product because it can reduce approximately 40 – 60% of the carbon emissions polluting our air. There is less smoke and odor from engines powered by biodiesel and they tend to run quieter as well. Because biodiesel is non toxic, it will not harm marine life, making it the perfect fuel for boats. Delicate waterway eco-systems remain safe from irritating pollutants.

Biodiesel does not require any engine modifications and affects engine performance positively. Engines using biodiesel tend to last longer because their parts are lubricated better with this fuel as opposed to standard fossil diesel. In fact, traditional diesel engines have a much higher rate of engine wear when using fossil fuel.

There are no special handling or storage requirements for biodiesel because it is non toxic. It is safe to transport because the same concerns regarding transporting traditional fuels do not apply. For example, biodiesel has a high flashpoint of about 150°C compared to petroleum diesel fuel, which has a flash point of 55°C. In addition, if there ever were any accidental spills, biodiesel is biodegradable, so it would not negatively affect the environment that received the spill.

One of the biggest benefits of biodiesel (besides the environmental ones) is the dramatic cost savings if it is produced individually. Most people making biodiesel at home are able to produce it for about $1.00 per gallon. Even investing in equipment, home biodiesel brewers are often able to recoup their costs within an average of three months.

Politically, an issue that biodiesel resolves is that it reduces the dependence on other countries for oil. This dependence has been linked to war and terrorism and many argue that gaining oil independence would save lives as well. By encouraging the use of domestic resources, growing our own fuel, we promote our own farmers and our own economy. Producing our own oil could provide many jobs as well.

Biodiesel is relatively easy to produce. Though it has been a little on the expensive side to produce commercially, it has now started to come in line with traditional fuels because of the price of a barrel of oil being so high. Many people have even started making their own biodiesel at home, because they can use waste vegetable oil (WVO). This makes it a very inexpensive option.

Many commercial industries have already begun using or are planning to switch to biodiesel. Truck fleets, the marine industry, farming, mining, transit and school buses are among some of the industries that have seen the benefits of using alternative fuel biodiesel. For many of these industries, the health benefits and environmental concerns are what made the decision easy for them. Some industries happily report saving money because of their engine parts lasting longer. Heavy duty machinery is expensive to replace and biodiesel can help preserve its life.

Although biodiesel will not save the world, these are some really great reasons that it is definitely a start towards a cleaner, healthier planet. Alternative fuel biodiesel is a positive step in the right direction.

Deb Primrose, AKA Earth Friendly Chick writes on a variety of eco-friendly topics. To find out more about biodiesel, check out http://www.squidoo.com/biodieselfacts. Biodiesel and other forms of alternative energy are being explored and you can check it out here.

The use of the fuel known as biodiesel is growing in America–quite literally. Biodiesel is produced by combining organic oils, from any of a number of sources, with alcohol or petroleum diesel fuel. The organic oil is most often obtained from soybeans, but many other plants have shown potential, including canola and rapeseed.

Biodiesel can even be made at home. In fact, Biodiesel America tells its members that they can make biodiesel for as little as 50 cents a gallon using recycled cooking oil, assuming the oil if free. That may seem unrealistic, but there are many vehicles on the road today that use biodiesel fuel based on free oil from restaurants. Since restaurants generally have to pay to dispose of their used grease, they’re often willing to give it to a vehicle owner who wants to take it off their hands. Otherwise, they often have to pay as much as $150 per 50-gallon drum to have used grease hauled away.

Biodiesel America has a lofty goal of converting 100,000 school buses to run on biodiesel by the year 2010. The purpose of their project is not only to significantly lessen America’s fuel dependence on foreign countries, but they also are determined to lessen greenhouse gas emission, as well. According to the National Biodiesel Board, the amount of carbon monoxide emitted from a biodiesel engine averages 48 percent less than a similar engine running of “regular” diesel. Therefore, converting 100,000 school buses would represent a significant reduction in pollution.

Much of the raw material for biodiesel comes from Midwestern soybeans. It’s not uncommon in the Midwest to see pumps that sell biodiesel right alongside other fossil fuels. Renewable fuel has proven to be a newfound way for farmers to sell their crops, which will allow more farmers to stay on the land, which is an important side benefit to the overall biodiesel production process.

However, soybeans aren’t the only crops that may have important uses in the creation of biodiesel. Scientists at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks have been experimenting with the use of canola oil in creating biodiesel, and have had promising success. An important added benefit to using canola is that the plant will not only grow in Alaska, but the added amount of daylight available during Alaska summers creates a canola that contains a significantly higher oil content than when its grown on the mainland of the United States. That means Alaska could grow its own biodiesel plant components, lowering shipping costs and increasing efficiency.

Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher

Jeanette Fisher, author of interior design and real estate books helps home owners makeover their homes with “green design.” For more home environmental issue articles, visit Environmental Psychology

Product Description
Containing the most current and complete information available for would-be biodiesel makers, Do-It-Yourself Guide to Biodiesel offers a step-by-step path from the initial desire to do something good for the environment to the final stage of filling the tank with low-cost fuel. As the author tells how to break free from the grip of big oil, he counters the common myths about biodiesel with facts from university studies and his own extensive experience. The many benefits of biodiesel are detailed, including higher lubricity, increased engine life, cleaner burn, less toxicity, and faster biodegrading action.  Do-It-Yourself Guide to Biodiesel explains in simple terms the procedures and the equipment needed to mak. . . More >>

• ISBN13: 9781569756249
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.