The Technology Biodiesel is made by chemically reacting alcohol with vegetable oils, fats, or greases. It’s most often used in blends of 2% (partly for lubricity) or 20% (B20) biodiesel. It may also be used as pure biodiesel (B100). It is also a very good sulfur-free lubricant. B100 and biodiesel blends are sensitive to cold weather and may require special anti-freezing precautions, as conventional No. 2 diesel does. Biodiesel acts like a detergent additive, loosening and dissolving sediments in storage tanks. Because biodiesel is a solvent, B100 may cause rubber and other components to fail in vehicles manufactured before 1994. B20 minimizes all these problems. Biodiesel Offers Fleets a Better Alternative to Petroleum Diesel Biodiesel
is a domestically produced, renewable fuel that can be used in
unmodified diesel engines with the current fueling infrastructure.
It is safe, biodegradable, and reduces serious air pollutants
such as soot, particulates, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and
air toxics. Performance, storage requirements, and maintenance
are similar for biodiesel blend fuels and petroleum diesel. It
contains no aromatics or sulfur, has a high Cetane number (good
for ignition capabilities), and is a superior lubricant. In addition,
regulated fleets can earn Energy Policy Act Biodiesel Recommended Companies The usage of the product has been recommended by i) General Motors, ii) Ford Foundation, iii) Daimler Chrysler, iv) Cummines, v) Caterpiller, vi) Scoda (Octavia), etc,. Making It Happen – Availability and Cost Biodiesel can be purchased from an increasing number of manufacturers and some petroleum distribution companies. The distribution efficiency should improve with expanding market volumes. For a list of biodiesel suppliers, see the National Biodiesel Board Web site at www.biodiesel.org Presently B100 costs between $1.25 and $2.25 per gallon depending on purchase volume and delivery costs. Biodiesel is taxed as a diesel fuel, so taxes are added to the purchase price. At today’s prices, B20 costs 13 to 22 cents more per gallon than diesel. However, because it uses existing infrastructure and vehicles, biodiesel may be a least-cost alternative for fleets regulated by EPAct. The cost difference is expected to shrink due to rising petroleum costs, new EPA rules requiring reduced sulfur content in diesel, and improvements in the biodiesel industry such as building larger plants with more efficient production technology. Source : National Biodiesel Board, USA |