Biodiesel -
 What is biodiesel?
Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced
from domestic, renewable resources. Biodiesel contains no petroleum,
but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to
create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in compression-ignition
(diesel) engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel
is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially
free of sulfur and aromatics.
How
is biodiesel made?
Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification
whereby the glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable
oil. The process leaves behind two products -- methyl esters
(the
chemical name for biodiesel) and glycerin (a valuable byproduct
usually sold to be used in soaps and other products).
Is
Biodiesel the same thing as raw vegetable oil?
No! Fuel-grade biodiesel must be produced
to strict industry specifications (ASTM D6751) in order to insure
proper performance.
Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed
the health effects testing requirements of the 1990 Clean
Air Act Amendments. Biodiesel that meets ASTM D6751 and
is legally
registered with the Environmental Protection Agency is a
legal motor fuel for sale and distribution. Raw vegetable
oil cannot
meet biodiesel fuel specifications, it is not registered
with the EPA, and it is not a legal motor fuel.
For
entities seeking to adopt a definition of biodiesel for purposes
such as
federal or state statute, state or national
divisions
of weights and measures, or for any other purpose, the
official definition consistent with other federal and state
laws and
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) guidelines is as
follows:
Biodiesel
is defined as mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived
from vegetable oils or animal fats
which conform
to ASTM D6751 specifications for use in diesel engines.
Biodiesel refers to the pure fuel before blending with
diesel fuel.
Biodiesel blends are denoted as, "BXX" with "XX" representing
the percentage of biodiesel contained in the blend (ie:
B20 is 20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel).
Why
should I use biodiesel?
Biodiesel is better for the environment because it
is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions
compared
to petroleum
diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades
as fast as sugar. Since it is made in the USA from
renewable
resources
such as soybeans, its use decreases our dependence
on foreign oil and contributes to our own economy.
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