Biodiesel Benefits
- Produced domestically, biodiesel can help relieve U.S. dependence on foreign petroleum. Biodiesel is made from natural, renewable resources such as vegetable oils, animal fats and recycled cooking oils. It is less toxic than table salt and as biodegradable as sugar. In its pure form it can be handled, stored and transported with the same guidelines as vegetable oil.
- Biodiesel and biodiesel blends operate in conventional diesel (compression-ignition) and turbine engines without modifications or reduction in performance. It provides the premium performance benefits expected of premium diesel fuels including lubricity and protection and high cetane rating.
Typical Biodiesel Emissions Compared to Conventional Diesel
|
Regulated Emissions
|
B20
|
| Total Unburned Hydrocarbons |
-30%
|
| Carbon Monoxide |
-20%
|
| Particulate Matter |
-22%
|
| NOx |
+2%
|
|
Regulated Emissions
|
|
| Sulfates |
-20%
|
| PAH (Polycylic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) |
-13%
|
| nPAH (nitrated PAH's) |
-50%
|
| Ozone potential of speciated HC |
-10%
|
- Diesel engines burning regular petroleum products produce toxic emissions dangerous to human health, especially in highly populated urban areas. As a fully compatible liquid fuel, biodiesel can be used in all diesel engines as a replacement, a blending component or an additive for petroleum diesel fuel to substantially reduce harmful emissions. A B20 blend can reduce particulate matter by 30%; carbon monoxide by 21% and total hydrocarbons by 47%. Sulfur dioxide emissions are reduced to nearly zero and visible tailpipe smoke is reduced by 35%. (biodiesel blends and B20 blends)
- Biodiesel production and use produces approximately 80% less carbon dioxide emissions compared to petroleum diesel production.
- Biodiesel was the first renewable fuel to successfully complete the EPA-required Health Effects Testing under the Clean Air Act. Mutagenicity studies show that biodiesel dramatically reduces potential risks of cancer and birth defects.
- Biodiesel is virtually free of aromatics and has a pleasant odor - like popcorn or french fries - when burned in diesel engines.
- Biodiesel has the highest BTU of any renewable fuel (in the range between No. 1 and No. 2 diesel).
- Biodiesel helps preserve natural resources. For every unit of energy needed to produce biodiesel, 3.24 units of energy are gained - nearly four times more than diesel.
- The flash point of biodiesel in its pure form is more than >266 ºF versus approximately 125ºF for regular No. 2 diesel.