Biodiesel
Facts -
Biodiesel is a diesel fuel alternative that is non-petroleum
based. It consists of long chain alkyl esters made by transesterification
of certain types of biologically derived oils. It can be used
in compression ignition (diesel) engines by itself or in any
percentage blend with petroleum diesel.
How
do biodiesel emissions compare to petroluem diesel?
Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed
the health effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act.
The us 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.
*
Can
I use biodiesel in my existing diesel engine?
Biodiesel works in any diesel engine with few or no modifications
to the engine or the fuel system. Biodiesel has a solvent
effect that may release deposits accumulated on tank walls
and pipes
from previous diesel fuel usage. The release of deposits
may end up in fuel filters initially, so fuel fileters should
be
checked more frequesntly at first. Ensure tha tonly fuel
meeting the biodiesel specification (D 6751) is used. *
Can
biodiesel mitigate "global warming"?
Biodiesel is the best greenhouse gas mitigation strategy
for today's medium and heavy duty vehicles. *
Does
biodiesel take more energy to make than it gives back?
No.
Biodiesel actually has the highest "energy balance" of
any transportation fuel. The DOE/USDA lifecycle analysis
shows for every unit of fossil energy it takes to make biodiesel,
3.2
units of energy are gained. This takes into account the
planting, harvesting, fuel production and fuel transportation to
the end
user. *
Biodiesel
and cold flow properties
During the last seven years, the cold flow properties
of biodiesel and biodiesel blends have been thoroughly
tested.
Biodiesel
blends (primarily B20) have also been used in a variety
of climates
- including some of the coldest weather on record-without
cold flow problems. * Will
using biodiesel in my vehicle void my warranty?
The use of biodiesl
in existing diesel engines does not void parts and materials workmanship
warranties of
any major US
engine manufacturer. *
Biodiesel
provides significant lubricity improvement over petroleum
diesel fuel.
Lubricity results of biodiesel and petroleum diesel
using industry test methods indicate that there is
a marked
improvement in
lubricity when biodiesel is added to conventional
diesel fuel. Even biodiesel
lelvels as low as one percent can provide up to a
65% increase in lubricity in distillate fuels. *
*
Information has been supplied by the National Biodiesel
Board.
www.biodiesel.org
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