The Advantages Of Biodiesel

The Advantages of Biodiesel
By Steve Symes

Looking closely at biodiesel, we find that its physical and chemical properties are very similar to petroleum based diesel fuel in terms of operation in compression ignition engines (diesel engines). Therefore, biodiesel can be used in diesel engines without expensive alterations to the engine or fuel system.

When it comes to listing the advantages of biodiesel, there are many and advocates say these include low emissions, better scent, and higher lubricity. According to a DOE report, biodiesel has a lower energy content than regular diesel, but performs as well as diesel when mixed with diesel in blends of up to 20 percent.

The possibility of bio-diesel has been around for a long while, but it is only now, as oil appears scarcer and less secure that people are starting to invest in the possibilities which exist for it as an automotive fuel.

As the transport sector is likely to be the fastest growing contributor to greenhouse gas emissions for most of this century, and diesel prices climbing steadily, that the advantages of biodiesel are being appreciated by governments around the world.

However, there is as yet no source of biodiesel that is cheap and plentiful enough to meet the potential demand. The advantages of biodiesel are many; it is renewable, domestic, clean and can be based on a variety of vegetable feed stocks. Some early fleet reviews have also indicated long term maintenance reductions, but stay tuned for more on this. The advantages of biodiesel are; it is a renewable fuel, carbon dioxide neutral, low sulphur, non-toxic, biodegradable, produced locally in the UK, and when used it usually reduces emissions. Thus, overall biodiesel offers a range of environmental benefits unrivalled by any other alternative transport fuel.

Most research indicates that the gradual start of combustion which is a feature of biodiesel when used, also helps to decrease NOx emissions. In quantities up to 5 percent, bioethanol fuel can be blended with conventional petroleum fuel without the need for any engine modification. Bioethanol is produced using familiar methods, such as fermentation, and it can be distributed using the same petrol forecourts and transportation systems as before. Since pure biodiesel leaves no deposits of its own, this results in increased engine life. It is estimated that a biodiesel blend of just 1% could increase fuel lubricity by as much as 65% (U.S. source).

If a vehicle uses traditional diesel, the vehicle emits black, stinky smoke. With biodiesel, the smoke becomes very clean indeed. A good example is the US government implemented rules that mandates the use of alternative fuels in federal vehicles. B20 was adopted for use in moat national parks. If biodiesel is used to fuel all transport vehicles, amazingly it has been claimed that smog will become a thing of the past.

You can also make biodiesel from tallow (animal fats), fish oil, seaweed and algae. In fact, it was recently reported that in an extraordinary show of dedication to the project, the skipper, Pete Bethune, underwent liposuction, and the fat (all 100ml) was used to make a small amount of Biodiesel for Earthrace!

Biodiesel can also be made from imported feedstocks, such as palm oil, from around the globe in an effort to further ensure lower cost supply. Overall, the more diversified feedstock source fuel will be more resilient to market swings in feedstock pricing and supply, that could render the standard biodiesel from bio cropping production model non-viable. While soybean oil has provided a good starting point for biodiesel in the United States, it has yield limitations that will hinder biodiesel growth in the future.

Recently a friend who knows that my enthusiasm is great for biodiesel asked me whether I was investing in it. This was the first time I had thought of investing in biodiesel stocks, and although just a short 18 months back I would have thought him pretty crazy. This time I said that he had a point, and since then I have been seriously considering making some investment into that market quite soon.

So, biodiesel is a good fossil fuel substitute as long as done sensibly up to the recommended percentages. By-products created during its manufacture will also provide a whole range of new materials that can easily replace very many not so friendly materials, and leaving coal as a commodity that could be used for other optional safe and useful manufacturing processes that do not pollute our atmosphere.

A real tangible and global win-win solution exists for biodiesel users currently. As far as "tax subsidies" go, developed countries such as European Union members impose heavy diesel taxes whereas biodiesel is generally tax-exempt. This form of subsidy has provided cost advantages to biodiesel suppliers. So, all in all, the picture looks rosy for biodiesel.


If you are considering biofuel manufacture, you will find some of our biogas projects of interest. Continue to the Anaerobic Digestion Systems web site and make use of our checklist.

Steve Symes feels that the environmental debate is too important to leave to the boffins. If you think so too then visit his Blog at Renewable Energy News

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