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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. |
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The
Advantages of Biodiesel Pure biodiesel is biodegradable, nontoxic and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics. It is a renewable resource, based on soybean and other oil crops that are grown anew each year. It is produced domestically, reducing our country's dependence on foreign oil. Biodiesel fuel requires no engine modifications or changes in the fuel-handling and delivery systems. On older vehicles and systems, some vehicle hoses may need to be changed. Biodiesel delivers similar torque, horsepower and miles per gallon. |
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Biodiesel-a Safer and Cleaner Fuel Biodiesel fuel offers fleet operators a safer, cleaner alternative to petroleum diesel. Biodiesel fuel is made from renewable fats and oils, such as vegetable oils, through a simple refining process. Some biodiesel companies process used restaurant fryer oil to make biodiesel fuel. This takes full advantage of an easily-available resource. The US Department of Energy has acknowledged biodiesel as an alternative fuel, both in its neat (100%) form and in blends with petroleum diesel of 20% or more. Biodiesel can be used for vehicle credits under the Energy Policy Act. Biodiesel fuel operates in conventional combustion-ignition engines, from light- to heavy-duty, just like petroleum diesel. No engine modifications are required, and biodiesel maintains the payload capacity and range of diesel fuel. Since engine modifications are not required, there's no need to change vehicles, add different spare parts inventories, find new refueling stations or hire specially skilled mechanics. Vehicle hoses need to be checked after the first 6 months of operation on biodiesel. On older vehicles, replacement of non-compatible hoses may be necessary, but this is not usually difficult or expensive. Blends of 20% or less tend to have little effect on even non-compatible hoses. Biodiesel fuel cuts down on targeted emissions. Biodiesel used in a 20% blend with petroleum diesel and a catalytic converter will cut air pollution. Particulate matter is reduced 31%, carbon monoxide by 21% and total hydrocarbons by 47%. Biodiesel used in a blend will also reduce sulfur emissions and aromatics. Using 100% biodiesel further reduces emissions and carcinogenic compounds. |
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Biodiesel is User-Friendly Biodiesel fuel is 'user-friendly.' The use of biodiesel and biodiesel blends results in a noticeable change in exhaust odor. The reduction in smell and change of odor are easier on the people nearby. In fact, it's been compared to the smell of French fries. Users, especially mechanics, also report no eye irritation from it. Since biodiesel is oxygenated, diesel engines have more complete combustion than engines using straight petroleum fuel. |
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