What is Biodiesel

Biodiesel is a fuel containing some of the same traits as conventional diesel fuel. Biodiesel is
made from high quality vegetable oils through a manufacturing process that can be done
on a large scale - such as a refinery, or on a small scale - such as a home Biodiesel kit. The
primary use for Biodiesel right now is as a substitute for petroleum based diesel fuel.

In different parts of the world, different plants are used as the source for the vegetable oil
that is made into Biodiesel. Theoretically, any vegetable grown can be broken down and
turned into Biodiesel, but right now most Biodiesel producers use one primary crop as their
source. In America, the primary crop grown for Biodiesel production is corn. Corn, being
one of the more common crops grown in American, provides a readily available supply of
vegetable matter for Biodiesel manufacturers. In much of Europe, rapeseed is used in the
production of Biodiesel. And, in Southeast Asia the primary plant grown for the
manufacture of Biodiesel is Soy. After going through the manufacturing process, there is
little difference in the properties of Biodiesel made from one plant over another.

How is it produced
The process used to manufacture Biodiesel from pure vegetable oil is called ester
interchange. In the process, the vegetable oil is combined with a much smaller
amount of Methanol. Methanol can be manufactured by the fermentation of starch or
sugar and it can also be produced from natural gas. The vegetable oil and methanol
are placed in a small quantity of an alkaline catalyst and it is in this process that the
chemical makeup of the vegetable oil is altered. The result is a clean burning fuel with
a viscosity (flow properties) approximating that of standard diesel fuel. During this
process, approximately 90% of what is manufactured is Biodiesel fuel, while the
remaining 10% is in the form of the glycerine that was broken down from the
vegetable matter. This glycerine can also be used in other applications in the chemical
industry, making the manufacture of Biodiesel practically waste-free. commercially
1,200 kg rape seed oil gives 1,100 kg of crude biodiesel
Biodiesel Reactors
Economic benefits
Biodiesel is produced locally. A locally produced fuel will be more cost efficient. There is no
need to pay tariffs or similar taxes to the countries from which oil and petroleum diesel are
sourced. Every country has the ability to produce biodiesel. In fact, biodiesel costs around 70
cents per gallon, which, as you know, is a far cry from the price of a gallon of traditional gas.
The biodiesel industry has contributed significantly to the domestic economy. The 51,893
jobs that are currently supported by the US biodiesel industry reflect the beginning of the
industrys potential to create jobs and economic growth in the US economy. Biodiesel has
added $4.287 billion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Biodiesel has the potential to
support more than 78,000 jobs by 2012. Diesel Engines (compression ignition engines) can
nearly all be run on biodiesel without modification.
Environmental benefits
The environmental benefit of biofuels relates to the fact that during their
production, they are Carbon Dioxide (CO2) sinks, that is, they absorb
carbon dioxide. Over one complete cycle, that is, from vegetable plant
cultivation when they absorb CO2 to combustion when they emit CO2 the
net production of CO2 is lower for biofuels compared to petroleum fuels
which just release CO2 during their life cycle. Hence, as shown in the
image below in replacing petroleum fuels with biofuels helps in reducing
the release of CO2 into the atmosphere and therefore reduces the effect
on climate change.
Biodiesel Hydrogen
Technological Readiness Can be used in existing diesel
engines, which have already been in
use for 100 years

Electrolyzing water (most likely using
fossil fuel energy) or reforming fossil
fuels. Most likely non-renewable
methods with large net CO2
emissions
Fuel Distribution System

Can be distributed with existing filling
stations with no changes.

No system currently exists, would
take decades to develop. Would cost
$176 billion to put one hydrogen
pump at each of the filling stations in
the US.
Fossil Energy Balance [higher is
better]
3.2 units (soy)
4.3 units (rapeseed)
0.66 units (steam reforming of natural
gas)
Large scale fuel development cost
analysis
For an estimated $169
1
billion,
enough algae farms could be built to
completely replace petroleum
transportation fuels with biodiesel
To produce enough clean hydrogen
for our transportation needs would
cost $2.5 trillion (wind power) or $25
trillion (solar)
Safety Flash point over 300 F (considered
not flammable)

Highly flammable, high pressure
storage tanks pose a large risk due to
store mechanical energy, as well as
flammability/explosiveness
Time scale for wide scale use 5-15 years 30-70 years optimistic assumption
Cost of engines Comparable to existing vehicles Currently 50-100 times as expensive
as existing engines.
Tank capacity required for 1,000 mile
range in conventional sedan
20 gallons 268 gallons
Comparison of Biodiesel and Hydrogen as Fuels of the Future