Biodiesel is a vegetable oil or animal fat-based diesel fuel that consists of long-chain alkyl (methyl, ethyl, or propyl) esters. Biodiesel is typically made by chemically reacting lipids (like vegetable oil, soybean oil, animal fat) with an alcohol when in turn produces fatty acid esters.
Biodiesel can be used as a substitute for conventional diesel, or as an additive. In both its pure and blended forms, biodiesel can reduce the emissions of air toxins, CO2, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and black smoke from vehicles.
Biodiesel blends of 20% biodiesel and lower can be used in diesel equipment with minor modifications, however some manufacturers will not provide warranty coverage if equipment has become damaged by these blends. Biodiesel can also be used in its pure form (B100), but may require certain engine modifications in order to avoid problems with respect to maintenance or performance.
B5 Biodiesel Blend
A common biodiesel blend, B5 Biodiesel blend is comprised of 5% biodiesel mixed with 95% petroleum diesel. The blend is legally classified as a diesel fuel.
B10 Biodiesel Blend
Biodiesel blend is comprised of 10% biodiesel mixed with 90% petroleum diesel. B20 and B10 blends are popular, federally regulated fuels.
B20 Biodiesel Blend
A federally regulated fuel, Biodiesel blend is comprised of 20% biodiesel mixed with 80% petroleum diesel. This blend is becoming the most popular blend in North America as vehicle engine manufactures approve of its use. B20 should work well in any diesel engine. You probably won’t notice a difference in vehicle performance or have maintenance issues when using blends of B20 or less.
B100 Biodiesel Blend
B100 biodiesel blend is a very clean burning, non-toxic fuel, offering significant benefits over fossil fuels. Biodiesel can also be splash blended with any percentage of petro-diesel to meet a variety of purposes. B100 Biodiesel blend is comprised of 100% biodiesel with no petroleum diesel content. B100 is considerably less flammable than petroleum diesel, presents low-pressure storage at ambient temperatures, and is safer to handle and transport. This blend is typically used as a blend-stock to produce lower blends and is rarely used as transportation fuel.
General definition: Biodiesel is a domestic, renewable fuel for diesel engines derived from natural oils like soybean oil, vegetable oil or animal fat-based diesel and which meets the specifications of ASTM D 6751. Biodiesel can be used in any concentration with petroleum-based diesel fuel in existing diesel engines with little or no modification. Biodiesel is not the same as raw vegetable oil. Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification, whereby the glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil. The process leaves behind two products—methyl esters (the chemical name for biodiesel) and glycerin (a valuable byproduct usually sold to make soaps and other products).
Why biodiesel? Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is 10 times less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Since it is made in North America from renewable resources, its use decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to our economy.
Other facts: Biodiesel is a smart fuel choice for many reasons. One of the most pressing environmental challenges today is global warming. The international scientific community has concluded that the rapid increase in the concentration of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere can be expected to increase the earth’s surface temperature, change our climate, alter our environment and endanger our health. Biofuels are fuels made from biological products. Two examples are ethanol and biodiesel. Ethanol is a commercial alcohol that is made from grain. It can also be made from cellulose fibers such as straw, however, this is a new approach and still under development. Taking all factors into account during its production and use, ethanol from grain has about 40 percent fewer GHG emissions than gasoline, and cellulosic ethanol has about 80 percent fewer emissions than gasoline. Ethanol can be blended up to 10 percent with gasoline and used in cars without modifications. Biodiesel does not require new refueling stations, new parts inventories or expensive engine modifications. It can be completely utilized within the existing infrastructure. All storage tanks, pipelines and end retail stations can handle biodiesel blends.
