Benefits and Drawbacks of Biodiesel

Biodiesel has many benefits. It is very easy to substitute for petrodiesel. Employees do not need special training to use it and no equipment needs to be modified. Unlike petrodiesel, biodiesel will not catch fire or explode. It is not poisonous to humans. It is completely biodegradable (capable of being broken down into harmless products). It is environmentally much cleaner than petrodiesel.

In addition, bodiesel is an excellent engine cleaner. It will remove dirt and residue left in a tank and fuel system by petrodiesel. Biodiesel can be added to ultra-low-sulfur petrodiesel to improve its lubricity (ability to reduce friction or rubbing). It makes the diesel fuel flow more smoothly and prevents the accumulation of contaminants within the engine and fuel system.

One reason many people make their own biodiesel is that they take pride in being independent of oil companies and being able to create their own fuel. Many of them save a great deal of money as well, but for many the feeling of independence and environmental virtue is the real attraction.

One major problem with biodiesel is that it is not widely available. France, Germany, and other European countries have many filling stations that sell it, but biodiesel is rare in the United States. For this reason, many people make their own, which itself presents problems. How to make biodiesel? Making biodiesel is time-consuming and can be dangerous. Waste oil must be filtered before it can be used. The chemicals used to make biodiesel are poisonous to humans. Anyone making biodiesel must purchase safety equipment, including gloves, aprons, and respirators, and must have access to a secure work area that children and animals cannot enter.

Another drawback is that biodiesel can be more expensive than petrodiesel, depending on its ingredients. Purchasing new vegetable oil can be expensive, and biodiesel users must often purchase other ingredients and equipment to make the fuel. Converting a diesel engine to run on SVO (straight vegetable oil) can cost money.

Also, biodiesel is not as effective as petrodiesel in cold weather. Both kinds of diesel fuel get cloudy and full of small wax crystals that can clog fuel filters, but biodiesel is more sensitive to this problem than petrodiesel. When biodiesel gets cold enough, it turns into a solid and will not flow at all. Biodiesel made from virgin oil stays fluid at lower temperatures than biodiesel made from waste oil. Most biodiesel users find that they have difficulty with their fuel when temperatures fall below freezing. Some people get around this problem by adding 30 percent petrodiesel to their biodiesel. Others add anti-gel agents to winterize the fuel. Some people worry that biodiesel will decay rubber parts within the fuel system. This can happen, but rubber parts have been uncommon since the 1980s and are easily replaced in any case. There are some more differences between biodiesel vs petrodiesel.

Environmental Impact of Biodiesel

Biodiesel is much better for fossil fuels impacts on environment than petrodiesel. It is completely biodegradable and non-toxic. It poses no threats to human health. It does not emit the pollutants produced by fossil fuels, which makes it very appealing for areas trying to improve air quality. It does not emit the black smoke that petrodiesel does. It is safe to store and transport. Its flash point (the temperature at which it will catch fire) is over 257 F (125 C), as opposed to 136 F (58 C) for petrodiesel, so it is harder to start a fire with biodiesel.

Making biodiesel is a good way to recycle waste oil that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Though there is a large amount of waste vegetable oil (WVO) produced daily, it is nowhere near the amount of diesel fuel used every day. Likewise, waste animal fat is not nearly plentiful enough to meet major energy needs. Some WVO is already converted into other products, such as soap. Nevertheless, a large amount of waste vegetable oil and animal fats currently end up in landfills and could profitably be converted to biodiesel.©