Sunday, May 21, 2006

Additional Biodiesel vs. Petroleum Diesel Fact:

While Biodiesel only releases the carbon-dioxide that it's raw materials had taken in while they were growing, the same cannot be said for pretroleum based diesel. For every one ton of petroleum based diesel that is burnt, three tons of carbon-dioxide is released into the atmosphere.

More Biodiesel Facts

100% Biodiesel is less toxic than table salt and about as biodegradable as sugar. Biodiesel biodegrades approximately 3-4 times faster than petroleum based diesel fuel.

Biodiesel also has these emission characteristics:
  • 100% reduction of net carbon dioxide
    100% reduction of sulphur dioxide
  • 40-60% reduction of soot emissions
  • 10-50% reduction of carbon monoxide
  • a reduction of all polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and specifically the reduction of the following carcinogenic PAHs:
  • phenanthren by 97%
  • benxofloroanthen by 56%
  • benz-a-pyrene by 71%
  • aldehydes and aromatic compounds by 13%
  • 5-10% reduction of nitrous oxide depending on age and tuning of vehicle.

Dubuque, Iowa gets new Biodiesel distribution center

A new Biodiesel distribution center has opened in Dubuque, Iowa. The goal being to make it easier for distributors to have access to this and other alternative fuels.

Line Up Your Source For Free Biodiesel Materials

If you are interested in running your car on pure Biofuel or are looking at setting up your own Biodiesel processor, you will be in need of raw materials. The main raw material for Biodiesel is vegetable oil. It would be possible to purchase the necessary new vegetable oil you would need, but that would also make Biodiesel less economical in the long or short run.

Most users and producers of their own Biodiesel try and setup relationships with restaurants, delis, or convenient stores to get their used cooking oil. Used cooking oil cannot be used for fuel until it has been cleaned. This means filtering and separating the impurities from the oil as part of the processing process. This is a win-win situation for the business getting rid of the oil as well as the person receiving it. Most states regulations state that a business must dispose of cooking oil in a separate waste unit. They also have to pay for this to be emptied or taken away. You can alleviate a business's expense by taking it for free and at the same time drastically reduce your cost for raw materials for the making of your Biofuel.

When is the time to setup this relationship with a local business? The time is now. If Biofuel does take off as a well used and accepted form of fuel, soon it would not be out of the question for these opportunities for free raw materials to be gone. With increased use of Biofuel comes more competition for the used cooking oil. Other users could beat you to the source, a larger processing company could contract to take the oil away, or the business (seeing the added demand) could start charging for the used cooking oil. The lesson today is strike while the iron is hot.

Saturday, May 20, 2006

Biodiesel Myth Of The Moment

THE MYTH: Biodiesel costs way too much.

THE FACT: A Biodiesel blend of 2% may cause the price of diesel fuel to rise two to four cents per gallon, but one of the added benefits of biodiesel is that it improves the lubricity of diesel, thus increasing both engine life and mileage.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Biodiesel Processing Plant Planned For South Dakota

More movement in the Biodiesel industry. The big oil companies won't build more oil refineries which would help at least the cost of fuel, but as long as companies with foresight come along we'll be okay.

A look at a personally designed Biodiesel processor

Here's a great pictorial layout of someone's homemade Biodiesel processor.

The Facts On Volkswagen Warranties - How They Relate To Biodiesel Usage

There's been much confusion on what the usage of Biodiesel does to your factory warranty. Well, the story from Volkswagen of America is that if you're using B5 Biodiesel, then you're covered. Volkswagen continues to show that they are one of the few car companies embracing alternative fuel now - not talking about the possibility of using it 20 years from now.

One man's home fueling station.

A great look at one man's home Biodiesel fueling station. Complete with extra drums of fuel and a pump powered by plugging it into the cigarette lighter of his car. 5 picture filled pages to this story.

Good news on pricing - From Oregon.

It's long been known that manufacturing your own Biodiesel is extremely affordable. But if you depend on others to manufacture and process it then, obviously, the price goes up. In one city, at least, we get good news in that Biodiesel is being sold from a distributor to the public at a cheaper price than old fashioned diesel. Good news, indeed.

Big Boys Moving In

The fact that large oil companies seem content with the current state of fuel woes is sometime one of the most frustrating things in the alternative fuels world. There is word now that Chevron itself has invested in a company building a large Biodiesel facility. What does this mean to the marketplace? Will it have any impact at all as far as bringing more old school oil companies to the Biofuel table? Full story on this courtesy of the San Francisco Business Times.

Monday, May 15, 2006

Biodiesel demand is heating up.

One co-op in Eastern Tennessee shows the demand for Biodiesel is starting to pickup, and not just for the eco-crowd either.

Cummins Approves Biodiesel Usage

Cummins Inc. (CMI) reffirmed its support of biodiesel fuel by approving the use of B5 biodiesel in its full line of on- and off-highway engines.

Sunday, May 14, 2006

Biodiesel Race Car!

A very cool look at how far Biodiesel has come.

Comparison Data

Very interesting alternative fuel comparison done by the UNH Biodiesel Group.

News - Biodiesel Rental Cars

It appears that an incoming trend in the travel industry is rental cars that run on biodiesel. Springing up right now mainly in California and Hawaii, this could be the next growth area of the Biodiesel market. The potential renters come from two tracks of thinking. Number one, you're in the need of a rental car and want the economic, social, or environmental benefits that come with renting a Biodiesel friendly car. Number two, you're in the market for a new car and want to seriously give Biodiesel a try before purchasing, renting makes that possible.

See Business Week story.

Biodiesel & Alternative Fuels Link Directory

Do you have a Biodiesel or Alternative Fuels website you would like to promote. List it, free of charge, in our Biodiesel Link Directory today! Welcome to "Biodiesel & Alternative Fuels", the companion blog to BiodieselPlans.com.