Biodiesel: A Realistic Fuel Alternative for Diesel Engines describes the production and characterization of biodiesel. The book also presents current experimental research work in the field, including techniques to reduce biodiesel’s high viscosity. Researchers in renewable energy, as well as fuel engineers, will discover a myriad of new ideas and promising possibilities.
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Biodiesel is a biofuel which is produced from organic oils or fats, and can be used in diesel engines. The technical name for standard biodiesel is alkyl methyl ester. Generally, this is made from reacting vegetable oil and methanol using a catalyst, resulting in a molecule that contains hydrogen, carbon and oxygen. The presence of oxygen in the molecule helps to make it a cleaner burning fuel. Although some diesel engines can run on straight vegetable oil (SVO), this is not genuine biodiesel and does not share all of its advantages.
As biodiesel comes from organic carbon sources, it is carbon neutral. This means that burning it does not add carbon to the earth’s biosphere (the biosphere includes the atmosphere and all living things). When plants photosynthesize, they use up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and turn it into organic molecules such as oils. When you burn these oils, you simply return the carbon to the atmosphere. This is unlike the burning of fossil fuels, where fossil carbon is released and increases the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. However, be aware that some fossil carbon is burned in the production of biodiesel, so it is not a totally carbon neutral fuel.
Compared to fossil diesel, biodiesel–
has similar viscosity (it’s runny like diesel, not gooey like vegetable oil)
has superior lubricating properties
has little effect on engine power
produces lower CO2 emissions
produces lower particulate (soot) emissions
is much more biodegradable
is much less toxic (10 times less toxic than common salt)
is much less flammable, and therefore safer to handle and transport
There is some debate as to the effect of using biodiesel on NOx emissions. NOx is a term for oxides of nitrogen, which help to form smog. Using biodiesel usually results in a slight increase in NOx production. This may be reduced by the use of catalytic converters on modern diesel engines.
There are some minor difficulties to overcome when using biodiesel in an older car or truck. Biodiesel is slightly corrosive to rubber seals and hoses which are often found on old diesel engines. Replacing these rubber components with modern, corrosion resistant parts is usually very cheap. The chemical properties of biodiesel will also dislodge dirt. This can clog the fuel filter, which has to be examined regularly for the first 500 miles and replaced if need be.
It is possible to mix biodiesel with fossil diesel and run it in an unmodified engine. The mixtures are named by their biodiesel content. B5 contains 5% biodiesel and 95% fossil diesel, and can be used in the majority of modern cars and trucks with no ill effect. The 5% biodiesel content gives a measurable reduction in CO2 and soot production. B20, which is 20% biodiesel and 80% fossil diesel, is another common mixture. B100 is 100% biodiesel, and although most modern diesel engines will run on it with minimal modifications, it may void the warranty. Some manufacturers allow owners to use commercial biodiesel without losing their warranty protection.
Biodiesel can be made from used vegetable oil. This is an excellent idea, because the oil has already served its purpose and would be thrown away, so using it as a clean fuel is a bonus. Some people make their own DIY biodiesel. It is a simple process that could be done by anybody who took chemistry at high school. They usually use vegetable oil given to them by local hotels and restaurants. Safety procedures should be followed, because toxic chemicals such as methanol and caustic soda are used. The legality of this varies between countries. Tax may have to be paid on the DIY biodiesel before it is used.
Making biodiesel from specially grown crops is more controversial, especially from crops such as palm oil, which are grown in huge plantations in the third world. The growth of these crops may cause significant environmental damage. Crops such as oilseed grown in the western world are a better choice, but it would be impossible to grow enough to completely replace fossil diesel with biodiesel. Recent experiments have shown that algae are a promising source of organic oils, so biodiesel may yet become a major carbon neutral fuel source of the future.
L.J. Martin is a writer who holds a BSc(Hons) degree in Environmental Science. You can read more of his environment guides at the Eejits Guides website.
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If your mode of transport is a diesel oil burner, then your motoring is probably not as clean as you may want it to be. We all should do our bit to keep our planet clean, it is the only one we have after all. In an ideal world we would all switch to electric or at worst hybrid type cars, but this is too expensive for many of us. The good news is you can improve the green credentials of your current transport if you run your car on bio-diesel. If you are trying to decide if this is right for you, below are listed the good, and bad points of bio fuel.
Bad. Using land for producing oil:
One of the bad points of increasing bio fuel production is the amount of land that is going to be needed to grow the oil producing plants that are needed. Concern has been raised that farm land previously used for food production will be used for fuel production, and this will lead to food cost inflation, or at worst food shortages that will effect developing nations.
Good. Can use almost any biomass:
A solution to the point above is to expand the type of organic material we use to make the raw oil. There are tons of food thrown away daily due to spoilage or over production, and much of this can be used to produce fuel. There has even been research done that converted used coffee grounds into bio-diesel. In fact if all the used coffee grains in the world were used, they could provide 1% of the worlds diesel needs. This is something that would usually get thrown away.
Bad. Not good in low temperature environments:
At low temperatures there can be problems with gelling, which in turn will cause fuel system blockages.This can be overcome by using additives or even a tank warmer to pre heat the fuel.
Good. Naturally cleans engine:
It contains detergent that will keep your engine cleaner and also natural lubricants that reduce wear.
Bad. Dissolves rubber due to solvents:
Older diesel engines may have rubber seals and hoses. There are solvents in bio-diesel that eat rubber. Modern engines use artificial silicone rubber and therefore this is not a problem. If yours is an older model however changing the rubber components before you switch is advisable.
Good. Renewable:
Oil will eventually run out. This bio fuel is from a renewable source and so will never run out.
Good. Available now:
It is the easiest way to improve the green credentials of your daily motoring. It is available right now in most areas. Most engines can use it with no modification. You can even make your own, and you can do it using waste cooking oil that most people just throw away.
Good. Cheaper:
Making your own is much cheaper, and plans or kits are available. However even the commercially made stuff is getting cheaper as more people use it, and production methods improve. Fossil oil produced fuel is only going to get more expensive.
Good. Low emissions:
It produces 80% fewer greenhouse gases than traditional diesel. Plus no soot or sulfurous smell. As the gasses that are released are the ones tat where absorbed by the plants used to make the fuel you add nothing to the atmosphere. As well as producing more, burning fossil fuels releases gasses that have been locked away since prehistoric times.
I hope the above points have helped you to decide to run your car on bio-diesel. The pros outweigh the cons, and you can do your bit for the planet, whilst reducing your motoring costs at the same time.
Make your own bio-diesel:
Did you know you can save money by producing your own bio fuel at home? For comprehensive instructions visit this make bio-diesel website at www.how-to-make-biodiesel-today.blogspot.com/.
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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
One of the most exciting new fuel solutions presented has to be biodiesel. For all people who have not heard about biodiesel, it is made from a combination of organic oils like corn, canola, or soy oil with other ingredients to produce a fuel that burns similar to diesel fuel used in vehicles. Biodiesel can even be combined with regular diesel to form a combination of the two fuels that is cleaner burning and safer.
Petroleum and oil are both fossil fuels that eventually run out, and with countries like China, India, and others starting to expand their society and add millions of vehicles and other gasoline powered machines, the supply will dwindle much faster. Thus biodiesel, a fuel that is made from organic oils, can be pretty much grown to meet higher supply and demand. This is one of biodiesel’s really strong points in that it is a highly renewable resource that also has less emissions so it is safer for the environment. Because organic materials used to make biodiesel can be grown, the farmers are supported by a bigger demand and the dependency on oil can be decreased. These points alone should make biodiesel a very great looking alternative fuel.
Biodiesel is currently being used more and more in all types of applications. Many cities are switching city vehicles and other emergency vehicles to use biodiesel as fuel source, thus decreasing cost and lowering pollution. Some gas stations already offer B20, a blend of biodiesel and 80% petrodiesel, that can be used in most diesel vehicles effectively and safely. Biodiesel can currently be used in most newer diesel engines without the need for major modifications or overhaul of the engine. This allows a quicker onset into the public than other fuel solutions. The abundance of many diesel fueled applications allows biodiesel to be used immediately to help cut costs and help the environment as well. Everything from cars, farm vehicles, generators, and a lot of other machines already can utilize biodiesel.
The future of biodiesel as a major energy source is definitely a great possibility. With more research on ways on developing and better utilizing biodiesel, it’s applications will greatly increase. Imagine being able to take cooking oil after frying something up, adding an additive to remove the smell and being able to use that waste oil as fuel for diesel engines. This can be the future of biodiesel and many restaurants that use a lot of frying oil can use this oil to fuel other appliances as diesel furnaces. The future of biodiesel as a major fuel source really depends on the fact that it is highly renewable and the great efficiency possible.
With the future of energy solutions still up for grabs, biodiesel will definitely be a contender. The emergence of new technology and the need to break the bonds developed from oil use will definitely push biodiesel usage up.
Jason Smith is the editor of PoweredGenerators.com, which provides consumer reviews, how-to’s, and uses for home and business power generators.
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