Biodiesel
 Biodiesel is one of the fastest growing alternative fuels for the simple reason that it can be used in conventional diesel engines and storage systems with little or no modification. Provisions of the Jobs Bill provide federal incentives to bring biodiesel to price parity with petroleum diesel.
According to the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), the industry’s trade group, there are over 400 major fleets using biodiesel in the U.S. In addition to the 1,000 companies distributing biodiesel nationwide, there are over 500 retail filling stations offering biodiesel to the general public. The NBB estimates that over 75 million gallons of biodiesel were sold in 2005, up from just 500,000 gallons in 1999.
Biodiesel is used in a number of forms, from B100 – 100 percent pure
biodiesel – to the more commonly used B2 (2%), B5 (5%) and B20 (20%) diesel/biodiesel
blends.
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that is produced domestically from new or recycled vegetable oils or animal fat. Production is relatively simple and yields virtually no waste. The feedstock oil or fat is reacted with an alcohol and a catalyst to produce fatty acid methyl esters (biodiesel). A side product of the reaction is glycerine, which is captured for other commercial use.
Neat, or pure, biodiesel (B100) is nontoxic, biodegradable and virtually free of sulfur and aromatic compounds. Biodiesel MPG and power performance is similar to conventional diesel, but it also provides superior lubricity.
Biodiesel reduces emissions of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, particulate
matter and sulfates. Biodiesel does, however, increase NOx emissions.
| Biodiesel Emissions Compared to Petroleum Diesel |
| Emissions |
B20 |
B100 |
| Total Hydrocarbons |
-20% |
-67% |
| Carbon Monoxide |
-12% |
-48% |
| Particulate Matter |
-12% |
-47% |
| Sulfates |
-20% |
-100% |
| NOx |
+2% |
+10% |
Biodiesel Links
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