We’ve got the facts about biodiesel because there is a lot of misinformation out there about renewable bio based diesel fuel. The truth is, biofuels are a reliable, green diesel fuel replacement that is better for our planet. Equipment and furnaces typically don’t require changes to use it in place of petroleum diesel or heating oil.
Is BioDisel Safe?
BioDiesel is biodegradable and safer to transport and store than petroleum diesel. Spills are not a major threat to wildlife, ground water or ecosystems. Burning biodiesel also produces lower levels of most emissions and air pollutants than petroleum based fuel, so overall it’s safer for the air and ground. BioDiesel isn’t recognized as a hazardous material, nor does it require HAZMAT, only when blended with petroleum fuels does it require this indicator. It also doesn’t require destruction of the environment to extract materials like petroleum, instead biodiesel depends on biomass, mostly from plants.
What is BioDiesel made of?
BioDiesel can be created from any biomass that contains sufficient free fatty acids. Biomass is a term that refers to any organic material that comes from plants or animals. This includes things like wood, plants or plant oils, animal fats or waste. In the case of BioDiesel, the biomass most commonly used is made from oils harvested from soy, corn and canola. It is also made from fats in algae, waste animal fats from meat processing facilities and recycled restaurant oils like those used in deep fryers.
How is it used? Does it Perform the Same?
Currently the most common use of biodiesel is in blends with petroleum diesel. Many varieties of diesel on the market already consist of bio blends. Common blends typically range from 2% to 20% biodiesel, these are referred to as B2 and B20 blends respectively. B2 and B5 blends are desirable for transportation and trucking because the added biodiesel improves lubricity and performance. This keeps fuel costs lower and reduces emissions.
Pure biodiesel, known as B100, can be used in place of petroleum diesel for transportation, heating, and equipment. It has greater solvent properties, so older equipment may require upgrades to rubber hoses and fittings that could otherwise break down in its presence. Biodiesel is also more sensitive to cold weather than petroleum based fuels and can gel in colder temperatures. This issue is easily solved with antifreeze additives and isn’t an issue for indoor storage like heating oil tanks.