Biodiesel

Refers to fuels containing methyl or ethyl esters.

Clean burning alternative fuel.

Produced from domestic, renewable resources.

Pure state contains no petroleum.

Biodiesel (cont.) Produced in Europe, Asia, and U.S. over the last decade.

Europe is currently world’s largest producer of biodiesel.

Germany has over 1,900 biodiesel fueling stations.

Used for municipal fleets to long-haul trucks.

Off-road machinery for mining, forestry, construction, agriculture and marine industries.

500 major U.S. fleets use biodiesel.

Biodiesel (cont.)

Biodiesel is produced from oils such as canola, soy, and palm.

Biodiesel used in diesel engines with little or no modifications.

Ethanol is produced from cereals such as corn and wheat.

Ethanol used in gasoline engines.

Biodiesel (cont.) Biofuels as a group are made from triglyceride

oils found in plant oilsCanola, soybean, sunflower, cottonseed

Soybean is currently the leading source of vegetable oil for biodiesel in the U.S.

Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called “transesterification”

Two products left behindMethyl esters (chemical name for biodiesel)Glycerin (byproducts used in soaps and other

products)

Diesel Engine

1893 - Rudolf Diesel invents the diesel engine.

1900 – demonstrated at World Exhibition using peanut oil.

Later modified to use petroleum.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLekU8qnRzI

Biodiesel Blends Part pure biodiesel and part petroleum diesel.

B100 – pure biodiesel

B20 – 20% biodiesel 80% petroleum diesel.

In warm weather (B20) 20% biodiesel and 80% #2 diesel should be used.

In cold weather operation (B20) 20% biodiesel and 80% #1 diesel should be used.

Biodiesel Advantages

Better for the environment.

Less toxic than table salt; biodegradable as fast as sugar.

Decreases our dependence on foreign oil.

Contributes to the U.S. economy.

Can be used in existing engines and fuel injection equipment.

Ignites faster with less engine noise.

Biodiesel Disadvantages

Not readily available in the U.S.

Older vehicles may require fuel line upgrades.

In older vehicles biodiesel may free up accumulated deposits and clog filters.

Biodiesel can eat through certain types of rubber.