The Fuel of the Future: Biodiesel
Biodiesel: The Fuel of the Future
Biodiesel is considered the fuel of the future because it helps lessen global warming. Biodiesel is produced from domestic, renewable resources like vegetable oils and animal fats. It can be used alone or blended with petroleum.
Scientific research shows that biodiesel reduces net carbon dioxide emissions by 78 percent compared to petroleum diesel. In some countries, it is also cheaper than diesel.
Biodiesel manufacturing facilities make biodiesel through a process called transesterification. In the transesterification process, fats are purified and reacted with alcohol through catalysts such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. They are then transformed into glycerol and esters.
Biodiesel is what remains after the process. Manufacturers can use the fats of animals and a number of plant oils to make the fuel. It can be derived from the plant oils of palm, sunflower, peanut, soybean or canola. Even recycled cooking grease can be made into biodiesel, though it is not the same as raw vegetable oil.
Most cars that run on diesel engines can use biodiesel. Car manufacturers have lists of cars that can run on pure biodiesel. One amazing thing about the fuel is that it acts as a solvent or cleaner. It loosens deposits that could clog the engine. Because of this, it lubricates the engine and makes it run smoother. The result is that the engine actually lasts longer because the fuel leaves few or no deposits at all.
Biodiesel is a renewable and biodegradable fuel. It helps lessen global warming because it has a closed carbon cycle. Biodiesel itself is made from carbon dioxide through photosynthesis in plants. When the carbon dioxide from the fuel is released into the atmosphere, it is easily recycled by plants, which are then later processed again into fuel.
Even with its advantages over petroleum diesel, biodiesel does have a few disadvantages. It has a tendency to produce more nitrogen oxide emissions than diesel, which contributes to smog formation. Another disadvantage is its availability. More promotion and expansion is needed. Despite these problems and some others, biodiesel is still the fuel of choice for environmentalists and people who want to help fight global warming. And with the last two decades of the last century being the hottest in 400 years, we may see a lot more of biodiesel soon.
