 iodiesel is a renewable fuel that can be used as a replacement for petroleum diesel. In fact, most people don’t realize that Rudolph Diesel initially designed his diesel engine to run on vegetable oil, as a way to help out local German farmers in the late 1800’s.
Biodiesel can be made from a variety of vegetable oils, recycled cooking oil, or even animal fats. It is a refined fuel that – unlike straight vegetable oil – can be used in any diesel engine without modification, and meets strict ASTM testing regulations. Biodiesel is also a very simple product to produce, with recipes readily available on the Internet, and thousands of entrepreneurs brewing it in their garage from used fryer grease.
By using biodiesel instead of petroleum diesel, individuals and their communities can realize a number of significant benefits:
Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine.
• No engine conversion required.
• Biodiesel can be mixed directly with petroleum diesel in any percentage.
• No change required in delivery infrastructure (filling stations).
• Biodiesel can be used as a substitute for home heating oil.
Biodiesel is a very clean burning fuel, emitting much fewer pollutants than petroleum.
• 100% reduction in sulfur dioxide, the main component of acid rain.
• 70% reduction in fine particulates, a direct cause of childhood asthma.
• 50% reduction in carbon monoxide and VOC’s.
• More complete combustion results in much less soot emissions.
• Biodiesel smells much better too!
Biodiesel use can actually improve engine performance.
• High lubricity (slipperiness) of biodiesel reduces internal friction and engine wear, meaning longer engine life and more power transferred to the wheels.
• Biodiesel can easily compensate for the loss of lubricity in new ultra-low sulphur fuel.
• High cetane rating of biodiesel reduces engine knock and provides smoother running.
• Energy content of biodiesel is almost identical to petroleum diesel.
• Helps clean injectors, fuel pumps and fuel lines.
Biodiesel is a domestic energy resource, which can be grown, processed, delivered, and used within local communities.
• Reduces reliance on foreign oil imports.
• Local production means local jobs.
• Wide range of feedstocks (soybean, canola, peanut, sunflower, or palm oil; used cooking oil or fryer grease; chicken fat, beef or pork tallow) allows producers to use cheapest raw materials available.
• Growing “energy crops” opens new markets for local farmers.
Biodiesel is safe to handle, non-toxic, and biodegradable.
• Degrades in about the same time as sugar.
• Only one-tenth as toxic as ordinary table salt.
• Safe enough to ship through the US Mail.
• Emits no explosive fumes.
• No dangerous vapors or carcinogenic benzene.
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Jackson County