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F.A.Q. About Biodiesel
What is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel which is produced from
domestic, renewable resources typically vegetable oils. Biodiesel contains no
petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a
biodiesel blend. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and
essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.
How is Biodiesel made?
Biodiesel is made by reacting warm vegetable oil with methoxide (a solution of
potassium hydroxide and methanol). The reaction causes the oil to split into
esters and glycerin called transesterification. The methanol combines with the
esters to form methyl esters (biodiesel) and the glycerin drops out of solution.
The reacted liquids are separated by settling and the crude biodiesel (on the
top) is recovered. Excess methanol is recovered from the glycerin by product.
Crude biodiesel is 'washed' to clean out impurities and dried before filtering
and storage.
Can I use biodiesel in my existing
diesel engine?
Biodiesel can be operated in any diesel engine with little or no modification 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 storage.
The release of deposits may clog filters initially and precautions should be
taken.
Is the use of biodiesel covered under
engine warranties?
Manufacturer’s warranties cover defects in material and workmanship, and those
warranties extend to engines burning biodiesel. These warranties do not cover
engine problems related to fuel of any kind. Tests and demonstrations, however,
have shown that biodiesel is no different from petroleum diesel in terms of
engine performance and wear.
Do I need special permits to make
biodiesel?
This depends on how much biodiesel you intend to make. A few gallons would not
turn the heads of most county inspectors, but a 500-gallon batch in your back
yard might warrant a good review of local policy regarding the temporary storage
and use of used vegetable oil, methanol, and lye. If you want to sell biodiesel,
you do need permits and you will need to charge road tax (about US $0.45/gal)
and you must submit IRS form 637 at the end of the year declaring the quantity
of fuel you made and how much you owe.
Can biodiesel be mixed with standard
diesel?
Biodiesel can be mixed in any proportion with standard diesel, even in the fuel
tank.
How do biodiesel emissions compare to
that of petro-diesel?
Overall, Biodiesel has about a 75-90% reduction in overall emissions compared to
petro-diesel. About the only area that isn't lower are the nitrogen emissions.
Can biodiesel help reduce the “global
warming” effect?
A 1998 biodiesel lifecycle study, jointly sponsored by the US Department of
Energy and the US Department of Agriculture, concluded biodiesel reduces net CO˛
emissions by 78 percent compared to petroleum diesel. Test results indicate
hydrocarbon compounds were reduced by 75 to 85 percent, with the exception of
benzo(a)anthracene, which was reduced by roughly 50 percent.
Sources: www.Biodiesel.org, www.dfwbiodiesel.com, www.journeytoforever.org,
www.pathtofreedom.com
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