Biofuels

What is biodiesel?
Technically, biodiesel is Vegetable Oil Methyl Ester. It is formed by removing the triglyceride molecule from vegetable oil in the form of glycerin (soap). Once the glycerin is removed from the oil, the remaining molecules are, to a diesel engine, similar to petroleum diesel fuel. There are some notable differences. The biodiesel molecules are very simple hydrocarbon chains, containing no sulfur, ring molecules or aromatics associated with fossil fuels. Biodiesel is made up of almost 10% oxygen, making it a naturally "oxygenated" fuel.
Biodiesel is the name for a variety of ester-based oxygenated fuels made from soybean oil or other vegetable oils or animal fats. The concept of using vegetable oil as a fuel dates back to 1895 when Dr. Rudolf Diesel developed the first diesel engine to run on vegetable oil. Diesel demonstrated his engine at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900 using peanut oil as fuel.

Key Advantages of Biodiesel:
1. Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel that runs in any conventional, unmodified diesel engine. It can be stored anywhere that petroleum diesel fuel is stored.
2. Biodiesel can be used alone or mixed in any ratio with petroleum diesel fuel. The most common blend is a mix of 20% biodiesel with 80% petroleum diesel, or "B20."
3. The lifecycle production and use of biodiesel produces approximately 80% less carbon dioxide emissions, and almost 100% less sulfur dioxide. Combustion of biodiesel alone provides over a 90% reduction in total unburned hydrocarbons, and a 75-90% reduction in aromatic hydrocarbons. Biodiesel further provides significant reductions in particulates and carbon monoxide than petroleum diesel fuel. Biodiesel provides a slight increase or decrease in nitrogen oxides depending on engine family and testing procedures. Based on Ames Mutagenicity tests, biodiesel provides a 90% reduction in cancer risks.
4. Biodiesel is 11% oxygen by weight and contains no sulfur. The use of biodiesel can extend the life of diesel engines because it is more lubricating than petroleum diesel fuel, while fuel consumption, auto ignition, power output, and engine torque are relatively unaffected by biodiesel.
5. Biodiesel is safe to handle and transport because it is as biodegradable as sugar, 10 times less toxic than table salt, and has a high flashpoint of about 300 F compared to petroleum diesel fuel, which has a flash point of 125 F.
6. Biodiesel can be made from domestically produced, renewable oilseed crops such as soybeans.
7. Biodiesel is a proven fuel with over 30 million successful US road miles, and over 20 years of use in Europe.
8. When burned in a diesel engine, biodiesel replaces the exhaust odor of petroleum diesel with the pleasant smell of popcorn or french fries.
 
 
Power
One of the major advantages is the fact that it can be used in existing engines and fuel injection equipment (no modification required) without negative impacts to operating performance.
Fuel availability/economy
Virtually the same MPG rating as petrodiesel and the only alternative fuel for heavyweight vehicles requiring no special dispensing and storage equipment.
Storage
Readily blends and stays blended with petrodiesel so it can be stored and dispensed wherever diesel is stored or sold.
Combustibility/Safety
Biodiesel has a very high flash point (300°F) making it one of the safest of all alternative fuels.
Production/Refining
The only alternative fuel that can boast of a zero total emissions production facility
Lubricity
The only alternative fuel that can actually extend engine life because of its superior lubricating properties.
Environmental Impact
The only renewable alternative diesel fuel that actually reduces a major greenhouse gas components in the atmosphere .  The use of biodiesel will also reduce the following emissions:
carbon monoxide
ozone-forming-hydrocarbons
hazardous diesel particulate
acid rain-causing sulfur dioxide
lifecycle carbon dioxide .




Oil Producing Plants
Corn, Cashew, Oat, Palm , Lupine, Rubber seed, Kenaf, Calendula, Cotton
Hemp, Soybean, Rapeseed, Olive tree, Castor bean, Jojoba, Pecan
Oil Palm, Coffee, Linseed, Hazelnut, Euphorbia, Pumpkin seed, Sesame
Safflower, Rice, Sunflower, Peanut, Tung oil tree, Jatropha, Macadamia nut
Brazil nut, Avocado, Coconut, Macuba palm