What is biodiesel?Biodiesel is a diesel fuel substitute produced from renewable sources such as canola and soya bean. Chemically, it is defined as the mono alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids.
What are the advantages of Biodiesel?
it is a renewable fuel, unlike fossil fuels, which will eventually run out in the not too distant future!
it results in increased regional employment
if spilt in a waterway, the fuel will be 95% biodegradable within 30 days
it has the same toxicity as table salt so is safer to handle
it has an increased flashpoint compared with diesel, so is safer
it is classed as a non-hazardous so is easier to transport
it has less emissions in almost all categories compared with petro-diesel
it reduces dependence on foreign oil
it retains more of your foreign exchange earnings at home
What can you make biodiesel from?
One of the great advantages of biodiesel is that it can be made from so many different products. In the future, countries will simply use the feed-stocks most suited to their environment. The most common forms of feed stocks used now are canola (Europe) and soya bean (USA), but there are over 350 other crops that can also be used. These include coconut, palm oil, mustard seed, sunflower and jatropha (which is becoming more widely farmed as it grows in areas where it is difficult to grow anything else). But you can also make biodiesel from tallow (animal fats), fish oil, seaweed and algae. In fact, 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!
Can Biodiesel run in any vehicle?
Yes, as long as it is fuelled by diesel, Most biodiesel is sold as a blend, where the fuel is between 5% and 20% biodiesel, and the balance from conventional diesel. This is a safe option and most engine manufacturers support this move. Care must be exercised when you first start running biodiesel, however. Older vehicles may need some fuel lines or O-rings replaced to run higher (or pure) blends of biodiesel.
Which countries are currently using Biodiesel?
Most countries in Europe today have made biodiesel blends compulsory. Between 3% and 5% biodiesel is blended with every litre of diesel fuel they sell. With time, they are gradually increasing these percentages. Biodiesel can also commonly be purchased as a 20% blend, or as 100%, which is what Earthrace runs on. Some countries have used biodiesel as their lubricant additive as they have reduced the sulphur content in petro-diesel. Many countries such as Africa, Asia and South America have active and growing biodiesel programmes underway. Saudi Arabia, for example, is planting crops of Jatropha which will in the future be used as an energy crop, reducing net carbon dioxide emissions by up to 75%.
Author: ArchitectPage
