The production and use of BioDiesel has quickly developed into a proven technology with many benefits to those who choose to blend this renewable resource with other petroleum fuels and to those who enjoy the environmental advantages this alternative provides over traditional fossil fuels.
This section of our website is dedicated to answering some of the more common questions we field. Our thanks to the National Biodiesel Board for providing content in this section. We also encourage you to visit our InfoLinks page to connect with more in-depth resources.
What
is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic,
renewable resources. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended
at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be
used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications.
Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free
of sulfur and aromatics.
Is Biodiesel the same thing as raw
vegetable oil?
No! Biodiesel is produced from any fat or oil such as soybean oil, through
a refinery process called transesterification. This process is a reaction
of the oil with an alcohol to remove the glycerin, which is a by-product of
biodiesel production. Fuel-grade biodiesel must be produced to strict industry
specifications (ASTM D6751) in order to insure proper performance. Biodiesel
is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing
requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. Biodiesel that meets ASTM
D6751 and is legally registered with the Environmental Protection Agency is
a legal motor fuel for sale and distribution. Raw vegetable oil cannot meet
biodiesel fuel specifications, it is not registered with the EPA, and it is
not a legal motor fuel.
For entities seeking to adopt a definition of biodiesel for purposes such as federal or state statute, state or national divisions of weights and measures, or for any other purpose, the official definition consistent with other federal and state laws and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) guidelines is as follows:
Biodiesel is defined as mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats which conform to ASTM D6751 specifications for use in diesel engines. Biodiesel refers to the pure fuel before blending with diesel fuel. Biodiesel blends are denoted as, "BXX" with "XX" representing the percentage of biodiesel contained in the blend (ie: B20 is 20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel).
Is biodiesel used as a pure fuel or
is it blended with petroleum diesel?
Biodiesel can be used as a pure fuel or blended with petroleum in any percentage.
B20 (a blend of 20 percent by volume biodiesel with 80 percent by volume petroleum
diesel) has demonstrated significant environmental benefits with a minimum
increase in cost for fleet operations and other consumers.
Is it approved for use in the US?
Biodiesel is registered as a fuel and fuel additive with the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and meets clean diesel standards established by the
California Air Resources Board (CARB). Neat (100 percent) biodiesel has been
designated as an alternative fuel by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the
US Department of Transportation (DOT).
How
much biodiesel has been sold in the US?
The National Biodiesel Board has released the following sales volume estimates
for the US:
2004 -- 25 million gallons
2003 -- 20 million gallons
2002 -- 15 million gallons
2001 -- 5 million gallons
2000 -- 2 million gallons
1999 -- 500,000 gallons
How
do biodiesel emissions compare to petroleum diesel?
Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health
effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act. The use of biodiesel in
a conventional diesel engine results in substantial reduction of unburned
hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter compared to emissions
from diesel fuel. In addition, the exhaust emissions of sulfur oxides and
sulfates (major components of acid rain) from biodiesel are essentially eliminated
compared to diesel.
Of the major exhaust pollutants,
both unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides are ozone or smog forming precursors.
The use of biodiesel results in a substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons.
Emissions of nitrogen oxides are either slightly reduced or slightly increased
depending on the duty cycle of the engine and testing methods used. Based
on engine testing, using the most stringent emissions testing protocols
required by EPA for certification of fuels or fuel additives in the US, the
overall ozone forming potential of the speciated hydrocarbon emissions from
biodiesel was nearly 50 percent less than that measured for diesel fuel.
Can biodiesel help mitigate “global
warming”?
A 1998 biodiesel lifecycle study, jointly sponsored by the US Department of
Energy and the US Department of Agriculture, concluded biodiesel reduces net
CO² emissions by 78 percent compared to petroleum diesel. This is due
to biodiesel’s closed carbon cycle. The CO² released into the atmosphere
when biodiesel is burned is recycled by growing plants, which are later processed
into fuel..
Is
biodiesel safer than petroleum diesel?
Scientific research confirms that biodiesel exhaust has a less harmful impact
on human health than petroleum diesel fuel. Biodiesel emissions have decreased
levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitrited PAH compounds
that have been identified as potential cancer causing compounds. Test results
indicate PAH compounds were reduced by 75 to 85 percent, with the exception
of benzo(a)anthracene, which was reduced by roughly 50 percent. Targeted nPAH
compounds were also reduced dramatically with biodiesel fuel, with 2-nitrofluorene
and 1-nitropyrene reduced by 90 percent, and the rest of the nPAH compounds
reduced to only trace levels.
Does biodiesel cost more than other
alternative fuels?
When reviewing the high costs associated with other alternative fuel systems,
many fleet managers have determined biodiesel is their least-cost-strategy
to comply with state and federal regulations. Use of biodiesel does not require
major engine modifications. That means operators keep their fleets, their
spare parts inventories, their refueling stations and their skilled mechanics.
The only thing that changes is air quality.
Does BioDiesel require special storage facilities?
In general, the standard storage and handling procedures used for petroleum
diesel can be used for biodiesel. The fuel should be stored in a clean, dry,
dark environment. Acceptable storage tank materials include aluminum, steel,
fluorinated polyethylene, fluorinated polypropylene and teflon. Copper, brass,
lead, tin, and zinc should be avoided.
Can biodiesel be used in existing diesel
engines?
Biodiesel can be operated in any diesel engine with little or no modification
to the engine or the fuel system. Biodiesel has a solvent effect that may
release deposits accumulated on tank walls and pipes from previous diesel
fuel storage. The release of deposits may clog filters initially and precautions
should be taken. Ensure that only fuel meeting the biodiesel specification
is used.
Where can I purchase biodiesel?
Biodiesel can be made available anywhere in the US. The National Biodiesel
Board (NBB) maintains a list of registered fuel marketers. A current list
is available on the biodiesel web site at www.biodiesel.org or by calling
the NBB at (800) 841-5849.
Who can independently answer my questions about biodiesel?
The NBB maintains the largest library of biodiesel information in the US.
Information can be requested by visiting the biodiesel web site at www.biodiesel.org,
by emailing the NBB at info@nbb.org, or by calling NBB’s toll free number
(800) 841-5849.
