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- What is biodiesel?
What is biodiesel?
- By Heath Allison
- Published 03/31/2008
- advantages of biodiesel
- Unrated
In this article I will discuss what is biodiesel, how it can be used, its low environmental impact along with its proven advantages and safety.
In answer to the question what is biodiesel? It is the name for a variety of ester-based oxygenated fuels made from natural sources such as soybean or most commonly for used vegetable oils or animal fats. The idea of using vegetable oil was originally introduced by Dr. Rudolf Diesel in 1895 when he developed the first diesel engine designed to run on vegetable oil. Dr Diesel's engine was demonstrated at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900 using peanut oil as fuel.
What is biodiesel in terms of its benefits and advantages?
1. Biodiesel will run in any conventional unmodified diesel engine making it the only alternative fuel that can do so. Having a very high flashpoint of about 125°C (petro-diesel is only 55°C) it can be stored anywhere that petroleum diesel fuel is stored.
2. What is biodiesel in terms of its use? Biodiesel used in its pure form or mixed in any ratio with petro-diesel fuel. The most common blend is "B20." which is a mix of 20% biodiesel with 80% petroleum diesel.
3. What is biodiesel lifecycle production and emissions compared to petroleum biodiesel? Biodiesel produces almost 100% less sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide emissions are approximately 80% less. In production combustion of biodiesel provides more than 90% less unburned hydrocarbons, and aromatic hydrocarbons are reduced by75-90%. In addition biodiesel provides significant reductions in particulates and carbon monoxide than petroleum diesel fuel. Biodiesel provides a slight increase
or decrease in nitrogen oxides depending on engine family and testing procedures. Ames Mutagen city tests, reveal that biodiesel provides a 90% reduction in cancer risks.
4. What is biodiesel effect on the engine lifecycle? Biodiesel can extend the of life cycle of any diesel motor because it is more lubricating than petroleum diesel fuel, while fuel consumption, auto ignition, power output, and engine torque are relatively unaffected by biodiesel. It also contains no sulphur.
5. What is biodiesel safety compared to petro-diesel? As mentioned earlier it has a very high flash point compared to petroleum diesel making safer to handle and transport. Its environmental impact is low being as biodegradable as sugar, 10 times less toxic than table salt.
6. What is biodiesel in terms of impact on the environment and being made from renewable resources? Biodiesel can be made from domestically produced, renewable oilseed crops such as soybeans. It can be made from used cooking oil a waste product a sustainable resource as it recycles used cooking oil easily obtained from restaurants. In producing biodiesel this way it helps the environment by recycling a troublesome waste product. When burned in a diesel engine, the emissions have a the pleasant smell of popcorn or french fries.
7. What is biodiesel in terms of being a proven fuel? It has been used successfully in Europe for over 20 years an in over 30 million road miles in the USA.
In conclusion, with reference to the question what is biodiesel, it is a very safe product which benefits any diesel motor with its high lubricity. Also most importantly it has a minimal impact on the environment because of its very low emissions. Plus it is produced using renewable resources.
In answer to the question what is biodiesel? It is the name for a variety of ester-based oxygenated fuels made from natural sources such as soybean or most commonly for used vegetable oils or animal fats. The idea of using vegetable oil was originally introduced by Dr. Rudolf Diesel in 1895 when he developed the first diesel engine designed to run on vegetable oil. Dr Diesel's engine was demonstrated at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900 using peanut oil as fuel.
What is biodiesel in terms of its benefits and advantages?
1. Biodiesel will run in any conventional unmodified diesel engine making it the only alternative fuel that can do so. Having a very high flashpoint of about 125°C (petro-diesel is only 55°C) it can be stored anywhere that petroleum diesel fuel is stored.
2. What is biodiesel in terms of its use? Biodiesel used in its pure form or mixed in any ratio with petro-diesel fuel. The most common blend is "B20." which is a mix of 20% biodiesel with 80% petroleum diesel.
3. What is biodiesel lifecycle production and emissions compared to petroleum biodiesel? Biodiesel produces almost 100% less sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide emissions are approximately 80% less. In production combustion of biodiesel provides more than 90% less unburned hydrocarbons, and aromatic hydrocarbons are reduced by75-90%. In addition biodiesel provides significant reductions in particulates and carbon monoxide than petroleum diesel fuel. Biodiesel provides a slight increase
4. What is biodiesel effect on the engine lifecycle? Biodiesel can extend the of life cycle of any diesel motor because it is more lubricating than petroleum diesel fuel, while fuel consumption, auto ignition, power output, and engine torque are relatively unaffected by biodiesel. It also contains no sulphur.
5. What is biodiesel safety compared to petro-diesel? As mentioned earlier it has a very high flash point compared to petroleum diesel making safer to handle and transport. Its environmental impact is low being as biodegradable as sugar, 10 times less toxic than table salt.
6. What is biodiesel in terms of impact on the environment and being made from renewable resources? Biodiesel can be made from domestically produced, renewable oilseed crops such as soybeans. It can be made from used cooking oil a waste product a sustainable resource as it recycles used cooking oil easily obtained from restaurants. In producing biodiesel this way it helps the environment by recycling a troublesome waste product. When burned in a diesel engine, the emissions have a the pleasant smell of popcorn or french fries.
7. What is biodiesel in terms of being a proven fuel? It has been used successfully in Europe for over 20 years an in over 30 million road miles in the USA.
In conclusion, with reference to the question what is biodiesel, it is a very safe product which benefits any diesel motor with its high lubricity. Also most importantly it has a minimal impact on the environment because of its very low emissions. Plus it is produced using renewable resources.
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