Biodiesel facts

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel produced from animal and vegetable fats that can be used in diesel engines with little or no modification. Biodiesel is typically blended with petroleum diesel in formulations referred to as B2 (two percent biodiesel, 98 percent petroleum diesel), B5 (5 percent and 95 percent), B20 (20 percent and 80 percent), etc. Though biodiesel is most commonly used in these kinds of blends, it can also be used in its pure form (B100). Biodiesel can be used in virtually any diesel engine without modification. It can be used in its pure form (called B100) or as a blend with diesel fuel at any ratio. The most commonly used form of biodiesel is a 20% blend of biodiesel with 80% petroleum diesel, known as B20. This has become a common practice as a balancing of benefits with costs, cold weather and solvency considerations associated with biodiesel. More on these below.) Biodiesel provides similar horsepower and fuel economy as petroleum diesel with superior lubricity to reduce wear and tear on the engine.

Other articles:
Biodiesel Fuel - Benefits of Using Biodiesel

Biodiesel runs in any unmodified diesel engine. There is no “engine conversion” typical of other alternative fuels. The diesel engine can run on biodiesel because it operates on the principle of compression ignition whereby air is compressed and then fuel is sprayed into the ultra-hot, ultra-pressured combustion chamber. Unlike gasoline engines, which use a spark to ignite the fuel/air mixture, diesel engines actually use fuel to ignite hot air. This simple process allows the diesel engine to run on thick fuels. Since biodiesel is chemically similar to petroleum diesel fuel, you can pour biodiesel right into the fuel tank of any diesel vehicle. Biodiesel has many advantages as a transport fuel. Biodiesel has lower emissions, it is made domestically (which increases national security), it does not affect engine performance and biodiesel is produced from plants.

Biodiesel is registered as a fuel and fuel additive with the Environmental Protection Agency. The Departments of Transportation and Energy recognize biodiesel as an alternative fuel. An ASTM standard, D6751, has been developed to ensure biodiesel quality. Diesel vehicles has driving more than fifty million miles on biodiesel fuel in the United States, even more in Europe.