ALTERNATIVE
FUEL
BIO-DIESEL
Biodiesel is an alternative fuel similar to conventional
or 'fossil' diesel. Biodiesel can be produced from
straight vegetable oil, animal oil/fats, tallow and waste
cooking oil. The process used to convert these oils to
Biodiesel is called trans esterification.
What is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is clean burning alternative fuel source which
is derived from soybeans and animal fats.
Biodiesel is a renewable alternative fuel produced from a
wide
range of vegetable oils and animal fats.
Pure biodiesel is compatible with most diesel engines and
is commonly blended with petroleum diesel it has same
performance as diesel.
Biodiesel is a domestic, renewable fuel for diesel engines.
Biodiesel can be used in any concentration with
petroleum- based diesel fuel in existing diesel engines
with little or no modification.
Biodiesel is made from animal fats or vegetable oils, renewable
resources that come from plants such as jatropha, soybean,
sunflowers, corn, olive, peanut, palm, coconut, safflower, canola,
sesame, cottonseed, etc.
Benefits of Biodiesel
High cetane number (average 45,8-56,9 units) High
flash point (above +100)
Good lubricating property
Absence of sulfur and aromatic hydrocarbons Low
toxicity
of emissions
Virtually complete biodegradability (99%) Biodiesel
are destroyed in water or soil for 28 days) Zero
balance of greenhouse gases
Types of Biodiesel Blend with Petroleum
100% biodiesel is referred to as B100
5% biodiesel, 95% petro diesel is labelled B5
20% biodiesel, 80% petro diesel is labelled
B20 2% biodiesel, 98% petro diesel is labelled
B2
Advantages of biodiesel fuel
1. Biodiesel fuel is a renewable energy source unlike
petroleum- based diesel.
2. One of the main biodiesel fuel advantages is that it is less
polluting than petroleum diesel.
3. The lack of sulfur in 100% biodiesel extends the life of
catalytic converters.
4. Another of the advantages of biodiesel fuel is that it can also
be blended with other energy resources and oil.
Disadvantages of biodiesel fuel
1. At present, Biodiesel fuel is bought one and a half times
more expensive than petroleum diesel fuel.
2. Another biodiesel fuel disadvantage is that it can harm
rubber hoses in some engines.
3. As Biodiesel cleans the dirt from the engine, this dirt can then
get collected in the fuel filter, thus clogging it. So, filters
have to be changed after the first several hours of biodiesel
use.
Use of Biodiesel
1. Biodiesel can be used pure or blended.
2. Most common blends is 5% biodiesel, 95% diesel
3. Blends above 30% may require modifications in the engine
How Bio-Diesel help the Environment
i. In a blended state with traditional fuel it can lower
emissions such as a 20% blend lowers CO2 emissions by
15%
ii. 100% Biodiesel can lower CO2 emissions by 75%
iii. Biodiesel produces fewer particulate matter, carbon monoxide,
and sulfur dioxide emissions
iv. It’s safe to store, handle, and transport cause of a high flash
point of 150 degrees Celsius instead of 77 degrees
Celsius for traditional fuels.
