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What is biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a renewable diesel fuel made from
vegetable oil. It can be made from virgin oil or waste
oil from restaurant fryers. It is refined through a
process known as transesterification in which glycerin
is removed making the oil less viscous (thinner
liquid) and more stable. Biodiesel is non-toxic,
biodegradable, has a proven track record of millions
of miles worldwide and is available NOW!
Find your local biodiesel co-op at biodieselamerica.org/biodiesel_coop_guide
What is B100?
100% biodiesel is called B100. It is also known as
neat biodiesel. 20% biodiesel blended with 80%
petroleum diesel is B20. 5% is B5, 50% is B50, etc.
Why use biodiesel?
Biodiesel greatly lowers tailpipe emissions that
contribute to global warming, acid rain and many
respiratory health problems. Biodiesel makes engines
run smoother and last longer. Biodiesel is a
plant-based fuel that is grown, processed, shipped and
marketed right here at home, adding significantly to
the U.S. economy while reducing our dependence on
foreign oil.
Will it work in my vehicle?
Biodiesel will work in any DIESEL motor with little or
NO modification. This includes engines from generators
to cars, trucks, boats, buses and earth movers.
Who else is using it?
Biodiesel use increases every year. In the U.S. it is
currently being used by over 400 fleets, numerous
municipalities, school district buses, boaters, heavy
equipment operators, all branches of the military,
National Parks and countless private vehicle owners
with great results.
Can it harm my engine?
Biodiesel is actually better for your engine than
petroleum diesel. As little as 1% biodiesel added to
petro-diesel provides 65% greater lubricity. Biodiesel
testing shows less engine wear, which extends engine
life. The only problems associated with biodiesel
center on biodiesels solvent properties and cold
weather gelling. Engines built before 1993 are likely
to have fuel lines and o-rings that can degrade over
time. Early replacement of these items insures trouble
free operation. Biodiesels solvent properties also
loosen deposits left by petro-diesel, which may clog
fuel filters.
While many theories exist on when to change filters,
my experience has show this varies with the type, age
and condition of each vehicle. What seems to be agreed
upon by most biodiesel users is to replace filters
after the first one or two tanks full of B100 then pay
close attention to performance. Whenever you
experience a loss of power, check fuel filters for
debris being dislodged from the impurities that have
accumulated in your fuel tank over the years. In my
experience this is the problem about 99% of the time.
I recommend everyone learn how to change filters (its
pretty simple) and keep extra filters in the vehicle,
especially at first. Once all this grime has been
removed from your fuel system youll experience a
better running, longer lasting engine. In a few
extreme cases, we have pulled the fuel tank and
cleaned it thoroughly to greatly reduce fuel filter
replacement.
In the case of B20 and lower blends, fuel tank
impurities cycle through fuel filters much slower and
pose less urgency concerning filter replacement.
Where can I get biodiesel?
Biodiesel is not available in all areas yet but its
availability is growing. There are many more pumps in
the Midwest than other areas of the U.S. Biodiesel is
becoming available at existing service stations but
can often be obtained through farmers, small
distributors and coops. The best resource for locating
ASTM certified biodiesel in the U.S. is the National
Biodiesel Board.
www.biodiesel.org. (Click on Buying Biodiesel.)
How much does biodiesel cost?
This depends on several things. It is generally
cheaper in the Midwest where soybeans are grown. It
also depends on whether the fuel is ASTM certified,
produced commercially or homebrewed. If biodiesel is
used off-road as in agricultural applications the fuel
is exempt from road taxes. In our area of California,
certified, tax-paid, road-use biodiesel has fluctuated
between $2.85 and $3.50 per gallon. We have managed to
keep our price stable very close to $3.00/gal. We are
currently retailing at $2.95 as of 9/15/04.
If Ive been using biodiesel can I still use petroleum
diesel
if needed?
YES! Biodiesel can be splash blended in your fuel tank
in any proportion with petro-diesel. Some fleets blend
their own B20 or buy from distributors pre-blended to
keep costs down. Most commuters I am aware of are
using B100 but occasionally use a bit of petro-diesel
only when they are low on fuel and far from a
biodiesel pump.
Do I need to convert my vehicle to use biodiesel?
There is abundant confusion surrounding this question.
As stated earlier, any diesel engine will run on
biodiesel with little or NO modification. The
confusion stems from people hearing about cars being
converted to run on straight vegetable oil (SVO).
Biodiesel is NOT SVO. Biodiesel has been altered on a
molecular level to remove the glycerin from the oil.
SVO conversions involve either replacing fuel
injectors with specially made ones or adding
additional fuel tanks, filters and heaters to utilize
straight vegetable oil. Biodiesel is a cleaner,
simpler, more straightforward fuel that is much easier
to use. Also neither SVO nor Biodiesel can be used in
an internal combustion engine that normally runs on
gasoline. You MUST start with a diesel engine.
Will biodiesel void my warranty?
Most engine manufacturers endorse no more than a 5%
blend of biodiesel in their engines (though MANY
biodieselites are using B100 anyway with wonderful
results). The main reason for this stance by original
engine manufacturers (OEMs) is the fact that not all
biodiesel being sold meets ASTM specs. While OEMs
guarantee their engines they can not guarantee fuel.
This is up to us as producers, distributors and
retailers to ensure that only top quality fuel is sold
to consumers.
How does biodiesel effect mileage and performance?
Mileage and performance are very similar between
biodiesel and petro (or DINO-diesel). Again tests vary
by engine type, condition, load, test method and fuel
used. Some show slight decreases, some show slight
increases. A School bus district in Michigan recently
reported saving over $4000 last year due to lowered
maintenance costs and 1/2 mile per gallon
mileage increase.
Is it safe in all climates?
Biodiesel is safe in all climates but not necessarily
as B100. This is another instance where biodiesel /
dino-diesel blends come into play. Cold weather users
often use blends of B20 or lower.
A friend of mine, Jeff, has been running a shop that does biodiesel conversions in LA if anyone is interested:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=18903
reference link:
biodieselamerica.org/biodiesel_coop_guide
media
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The Creative Citizen Network:
wecanrecycle says:
As a non profit recycling company in Houston, Texas we have tried to lower our footprint as much as possible. We have run our truck (a 2005 Ford F350) on B100 for almost two years with no problems. When we purchased our fork lift we specifically shopped for a diesel (we bought a used Linde) so we could run it on biodiesel. It has run only biodiesel since we've had it, and runs like a new machine. Biodiesel directly supports our economy, it's 100% sustainable and renewable and frees us from the grip of both foreign and domestic petrolium companies. Visit our Facebook page, We CAN Recycle, to learn more.
Mark Austin
Director, We CAN Recycle Inc.
Houston, Texas.
posted 11/07/09 at 03:42 AM