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BIODIESEL |
The Biodiesel Education Campaign is a joint effort of the GPCCP, the City of Philadelphia, and the PA Soybean Promotion Board. | ||||
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Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ) What
is biodiesel? A: B iodiesel is a cleaner-burning, renewable fuel made from animal or vegetable fats and oils, and alcohol. The fuel properties of biodiesel are very similar to those of petroleum diesel and biodiesel has the potential for replacing petroleum diesel in many applications. Biodiesel can be readily integrated into the existing petroleum diesel supply, transportation, and distribution infrastructure.The original diesel engine designed by Rudolph Diesel in the 1890's used peanut oil. Because it was viewed as a waste of food, and because, at the time, petroleum products were less expensive, diesel engines were running on petrodiesel by 1900. However, Diesel had the foresight to state "the use of vegetable oils for engine fuels may seem insignificant today, but such oils may become, in the course of time, as important as petroleum and the coal-tar products of the present time." Today, 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) is the most commonly used blend in the US. has demonstrated significant environmental benefits with a minimum increase in cost for fleet operations and other consumers.
Technical Definition
for Biodiesel (ASTM D 6751) and Biodiesel Blend: Q: What is biodiesel made from? A. Biodiesel can be made from many sources of oil and fats. The most common sources in the US today are virgin soybean oil and recycled vegetable oil, such as used fryer oils. A: Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification (trans-es-TARE-if-ih-cay-shun). One of several methods are used to separate the glycerin from the fat or vegetable oil. The process leaves behind two products -- methyl esters (the chemical name for biodiesel) and glycerin (a byproduct with value for use in soaps and other products). A: Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Since it is made in the USA from renewable resources such as soybeans, its use decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to our own economy. The Federal Government has recognized the benefits of biodiesel use for these reasons, and has introduced a Federal tax incentive for biodiesel users.
Q: Is biodiesel the same as Ethanol? Q: Can I just use plain vegetable oil? A: Raw, or 'straight' vegetable oil, sometimes called SVO, can be used to power a diesel engine. However, this application requires retrofits to an existing engine, and has practical issues for use and storage in cold-weather areas. 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. More Information (.doc) Q: Will biodiesel void my warranty? Most engine companies have adopted D 6751 to define biodiesel and provide information to customers regarding biodiesel. Other 'bio-derived' materials that do not meet D 6751 may cause engine and fuel system problems and void engine warranties. A: Biodiesel is available to customers in PA, but a unified distribution system is lacking. See these companies for more information: Q: Where can I find more information? A: The National Biodiesel Board maintains the largest library of Biodiesel information in the US. Information can be found on the National Biodiesel Board web site at www.biodiesel.org.
For those interested in learning more about
the processes for creating biodiesel, try
Do you have a biodiesel question?
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