BioDiesel FAQs
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).
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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).
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How much biodiesel has been sold in the US?
The National Biodiesel Board has released the following sales
volume estimates for the US:
| 2006 |
250 million gallons |
| 2005 |
75 million gallons |
| 2004 |
25 million gallons |
| 2003 |
20 million gallons |
| 2002 |
15 million gallons |
| 2001 |
5 million gallons |
| 2000 |
2 million gallons |
| 1999 |
500,000 gallons |
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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.
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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.
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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.
Do I need 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 I use biodiesel in my existing diesel engine?
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.
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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 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.
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