BioDiesel 101
(updated 17 April 11)
Definitions
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Bio
= ?
+
Prefix
meaning "biologically based"
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Diesel
= ?
+
The
term refers both to the fuel and the engine
- Petroleum-based fuel which is
burned in engines ignited by compression rather than spark (also referred to as
“dino” diesel!)
- Engine invented by Rudolf Diesel
in 1897 that ran off peanut oil!!!
*
Biodiesel,
n. -- a fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived
from vegetable oils or animal fats, designated B100, and meeting the
requirements of ASTM D 6751.
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Biodiesel
blend, n. -- a blend of biodiesel fuel meeting ASTM D 6751 with petroleum-based
diesel fuel designated BXX, where XX is the volume percent of biodiesel. (Example:
B20 is 20% biodiesel & 80% diesel fuel)
Ultra-low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD)
*
Started
replacing regular diesel in 2006, 97% less sulfur than regular diesel
*
Cleaner
burning and produces less particulates in all engines
How Biodiesel is Made
Vegetable Oil or Animal Fat (100 lbs.) + Lye + Methanol
or Ethanol (10 lbs.) = Biodiesel (100
lbs.) + Glycerin (10 lbs.)
Advantages: Big
Picture
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Renewable
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Pure
biodiesel = no petroleum
*
Compatible
at some level with any diesel engine & existing infrastructure
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Supports
Advantages:
Environmental
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Energy
Balance - for every one unit of energy needed to produce biodiesel, 3.2 units
of energy are gained.
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Biodegradable
and Non-Toxic – USDA tests confirm that biodiesel is safer than diesel and
biodegrades as fast as dextrose, a test sugar.
*
Greenhouse
Gases – A 78% life cycle decrease in CO2 according to a USDA and DOE study.
Some Issues
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Oxides
of Nitrogen (NOX)
+
Up
to 10% more with B100
+
May
be corrected by updated catalytic converter
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Mild
solvent property
+
May
clean fuel line which could plug fuel filters
+
Concern
with some older, soft rubber fuel lines
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Biodiesel
gels faster than most diesel
+
Traditional
cold weather options for diesel work well with biodiesel
-
Blend
with kerosene, use of additives
-
Block
and filter heaters
-
Indoor
vehicle storage
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ULSD
vehicles(after 2006) using higher blends of biodiesel (> B5) have not been fully “tested”
Potential Uses
|
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Passenger cars |
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Generators |
*
Home heat |
|
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Long haul trucks |
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Farm equipment |
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Boats |
|
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School buses |
*
? (think about it!!!!) |
*
|
Passenger
Cars
(The
author and his 2000 VW Jetta TDI = 48 MPG!!!!)
Best Diesel Vehicles for pure biodiesel (B100) – no
conversion required!
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Volkswagens
before 2007 – Golf TDI, Jetta TDI, Passat TDI
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Chevy,
Dodge, Ford, GMC - heavy duty trucks and
vans
Biodiesel production supported by these
local business:
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Quality
Street Kitchen Catering, 301-997-0700, http://www.qualitystreetcatering.com/
*
Morris
Point Restaurant , Chris and Deb Soussanin,
301-769-2500 http://www.morris-point.com/
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Days
Off Catering, LLC, Justin Keys, 240-561-6743, daysoffcatering@gmail.com
Further information:
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Springboard
BioPro 190, http://utahbiodieselsupply.com/biopro190.php
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TDI
Club, http://forums.tdiclub.com/forumdisplay.php?f=52
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Biodiesel
now, http://www.biodieselnow.com/
For more information…
Paul
Waxman
301-737-6321
Links:
www.waxmans.net/eco.html