What is biodiesel fuel?
Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable alternative fuel made from a mix of modified vegetable oils and diesel fuel. The primary source for biodiesel in the U.S. is soybean oil, although it is also made from: “Yellow grease” (used restaurant oil from cooking). Algae.
Why it is called biodiesel?
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 and glycerin. Methyl esters is the chemical name for biodiesel and glycerin is used in a variety of products, including soap.
What is biodiesel short answer?
Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils, yellow grease, used cooking oils, or animal fats. The fuel is produced by transesterification—a process that converts fats and oils into biodiesel and glycerin (a coproduct). Glycerin, a co-product, is a sugar commonly used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
What is biodiesel used for?
Biodiesel is a domestically produced, clean-burning, renewable substitute for petroleum diesel. Using biodiesel as a vehicle fuel increases energy security, improves air quality and the environment, and provides safety benefits.
What’s the difference between Diesel and biodiesel?
The major different between these two fuel sources is that diesel comes petroleum, a non-renewable fossil fuel byproducts, whereas biodiesel is extracted from plant, seed, and animal oils. Diesel and biodiesel also vary in availability; while diesel is usually a standard product…
Is biodiesel dirtier than regular diesel?
In fact, biodiesel produces 47% less harmful particulate matter than regular diesel fuel. This means that biodiesel burns much cleaner than regular diesel which makes the air safer to breathe. According to the Department of Energy, certain variations of biodiesel have the ability to reduce engine carbon dioxide emissions by up to 74%. In addition to being better for the environment, biofuel is also better for diesel engines too.
How does biodiesel compare to diesel?
Biodiesel also has less energy content compared to standard diesel. The amount of energy per gallon of biodiesel is approximately 11 percent lower than that of petroleum diesel, meaning that with the most common mix B20 your car will achieve 2.2 percent fewer miles per gallon of fuel than with the standard diesel.
Why is bio-diesel considered an alternative fuel?
Biodiesel is an alternative, renewable fuel currently available that has a high overall positive life-cycle energy balance. Since the soybean plant is a legume, a crop of soybeans requires less nitrogen fertilizer than required by some other renewable energy crops.
