Article - Great Falls Tribune - What is biodiesel?
Veddernarian
Posts: 1,924
B; Business
What is biodiesel?
14 January 2007
Great Falls Tribune
1
Biodiesel is a clean-burning alternative fuel created from domestic renewable resources, according to the National Biodiesel Board.
The raw materials vary. Soybean is the most prevalent today, but canola, rapeseed and flax are among the other virgin oils suited to making biodiesel. Used cooking oil is another option, while meat processors are such as Tyson Foods have proposed making biodiesel from their waste fats.
The oil is transesterified, or separated from glycerin to produce methyl esters, using alcohol, methanol or acids. Biolubricants such as motor oil and chain oil undergo a similar process.
Commercially marketed biodiesel is subject to strict industry standards and registration with the Environmental Protection Agency.
Pure biodiesel offers the most benefits in terms of pollution reduction, biodegradability and engine lubricity, but it is usually blended with petroleum-based diesel fuel.
Popular blends such as B5 or B20 - five and 20 percent biodiesel - require few if any modifications to standard diesel engines.
Using B20 in a conventional diesel engine reduces unburned hydrocarbon emissions by 20 percent, carbon monoxide by 12 percent and particulate matter by 12 percent. According to the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), biodiesel is "less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar."
Singer/activists using biodiesel in their tour buses include the Indigo Girls, Pearl Jam, Barenaked Ladies, Melissa Etheridge and Merle Haggard. Willie Nelson sells it at his national BioWillie chain.
Domestic biodiesel production reached 75 million gallons in 2005, and the NBB predicted an increase to 200 million or more gallons in 2006.
Current production capacity is around 580 million gallons. That's equal to 1.45 percent of the 40 billion gallons of petroleum diesel consumed on U.S. roads each year, according to the Energy Information Administration.
What is biodiesel?
14 January 2007
Great Falls Tribune
1
Biodiesel is a clean-burning alternative fuel created from domestic renewable resources, according to the National Biodiesel Board.
The raw materials vary. Soybean is the most prevalent today, but canola, rapeseed and flax are among the other virgin oils suited to making biodiesel. Used cooking oil is another option, while meat processors are such as Tyson Foods have proposed making biodiesel from their waste fats.
The oil is transesterified, or separated from glycerin to produce methyl esters, using alcohol, methanol or acids. Biolubricants such as motor oil and chain oil undergo a similar process.
Commercially marketed biodiesel is subject to strict industry standards and registration with the Environmental Protection Agency.
Pure biodiesel offers the most benefits in terms of pollution reduction, biodegradability and engine lubricity, but it is usually blended with petroleum-based diesel fuel.
Popular blends such as B5 or B20 - five and 20 percent biodiesel - require few if any modifications to standard diesel engines.
Using B20 in a conventional diesel engine reduces unburned hydrocarbon emissions by 20 percent, carbon monoxide by 12 percent and particulate matter by 12 percent. According to the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), biodiesel is "less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar."
Singer/activists using biodiesel in their tour buses include the Indigo Girls, Pearl Jam, Barenaked Ladies, Melissa Etheridge and Merle Haggard. Willie Nelson sells it at his national BioWillie chain.
Domestic biodiesel production reached 75 million gallons in 2005, and the NBB predicted an increase to 200 million or more gallons in 2006.
Current production capacity is around 580 million gallons. That's equal to 1.45 percent of the 40 billion gallons of petroleum diesel consumed on U.S. roads each year, according to the Energy Information Administration.
Up here so high I start to shake, Up here so high the sky I scrape, I've no fear but for falling down, So look out below I am falling now, Falling down,...not staying down, Could’ve held me up, rather tear me down, Drown in the river
Post edited by Unknown User on
0
Comments
We are near election times here and the envrionmental debate is raging. Most candidates, in order to win votes, have stated they would force an increase in the use of biodiesel with laws. While it seems a good idea and seems to please everyone here, I heard an interesting point of view on the subject. I can't transcript it exactly as I heard it but it goes a little like this :
Biodiesel, when compared to normal fuel, is a good idea, but unfortunately might end up being a trap. Biodiesel emits less CO2 than fuel but emits CO2 nonetheless and there is a risk that we stop looking for alternative energies thinking we have successfully reduced CO2 emissions.
That person thought the main goal in energy innovations was to find alternative energies and that biodiesel might actually do harm to this goal.
my only issue has been that Biodiesel can reek havoc on fuel lines and seals on cars older than 1993...