What is BIODIESEL?
Biodiesel is a fuel composed of fatty acid alkyl esters made from natural, renewable sources such as vegetable oils or animal fats. Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel. It can be used in a diesel engine with no major modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and free of sulfur and aromatics.
Biodiesel can be used as a pure fuel (B100) or blended with petroleum in any percentage. A 20% biodiesel blended with 80% petroleum diesel has demonstrated significant benefits with a minimum increase in cost.
Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act. The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine results in a substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter compared to emissions from diesel fuel. The exhaust emissions of sulfur oxides and sulfates (components of acid rain) from biodiesel are eliminated compared to diesel.
Biodiesel is registered as a fuel and fuel additive with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and meets clean diesel standards established by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Neat (100 percent) biodiesel has been designated as an alternative fuel by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
Since biodiesel can be used in conventional diesel engines, the renewable fuel can directly replace petroleum products; reducing the country's dependence on imported oil.
Based on engine testing, using stringent emissions testing protocols required by EPA for certification of fuels or fuel additives in the U.S., the overall ozone (smog) forming potential of the hydrocarbon exhaust emissions from biodiesel is nearly 50 % less than that measured for diesel fuel.
