What is Biodiesel?

 

Biodiesel is a chain of fatty acid methyl esters and is produced via transesterification of vegetable oil, animal fats or waste oils.  Biodiesel can be mixed at any concentration with petroleum based diesel making a biodiesel blend.   Common blends include B2, B5 and B20 (the number represents the percentage of biodiesel in the blend).

 

 

Biodiesel is a safe alternative to fossil fuels.  It is no more toxic than table salt and is completely biodegradable.

Biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by almost 80% in comparison with petroleum diesel; thereby, reducing global warming.

Biodiesel exhaust is safer to inhale than diesel reducing the risk of cancer by 94%. It is also safer to handle since it is less volatile.

B20 degrades twice as fast as petrodiesel, making it safer for all marine life if a spill were to occur in a body of water.

Biodiesel supports the U.S. economy while reducing our dependence on foreign oil and increasing America’s security.  Biodiesel directly supports our nations’ farmers.

 

     

Under the Clean Air Act, EPA has conducted comprehensive studies on biodiesel emissions making it the only alternative fuel fully tested.

Test results indicate that biodiesel reduces emissions of carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons and particular matter (soot).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that using pure biodiesel (B100) reduces emissions accordingly:

· Carbon Monoxide over 40%

· Hydrocarbons over 60%

· Particular Matter over 40%

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are reduced by more that 78% because the CO2 emitted from vehicles is almost equivalent to that absorbed by plants.

Since biodiesel contains very minute levels of sulfur, vehicles emit essentially no harmful sulfur linked to acid rain.

Why should I use biodiesel?