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| Biodiesel
FAQ's |
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Q: What is BioDiesel?
A: The technical definition of biodiesel, as defined by the National Biodiesel Board is:
Biodiesel – n – a fuel composed of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids, derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, designated B-100, and meeting the requirements of ASTM (American Society for Testing & Materials) D 6751.
Biodiesel is a clean burning fuel produced from domestic, renewable resources such as soybean oil, vegetable oil (commonly known as “yellow grease”), or processed poultry fat, which is the feedstock used by Southeast BioDiesel. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended with petroleum diesel at any level to create a biodiesel blend. Biodiesel fuel and it’s blended counterparts can be used in compression-ignition (Diesel) engines with no major modifications. Biodiesel is 100% biodegradable, non-toxic, non-hazardous, and non-carcinogenic.
Q: Does the energy required to make and use biodiesel cancel out the resulting energy produced, as is the case with some other fuels?
A: No. According to a study done by the Department of Energy, biodiesel yields 3.2 units of energy for every unit of fossil fuel energy consumed in its life cycle. This is by far the highest return for any renewable fuel. Petroleum based diesel fuel has a negative energy balance of 0.88 units for every unit consumed.
Q: Is biodiesel more or less safe to use than regular petro-diesel?
A: The flash point for biodiesel is a mimimum of 260 degrees Farenheit, as opposed to 125 degrees Farenheit for regular diesel. This makes biodiesel one of the safest fuels to use and store.
Q: Does biodiesel perform as well as petro diesel?
A: Without any engine modifications, biodiesel can be used in petro diesel. In more than 50 million miles of driving using B-20 (20% biodiesel blended with 80% petro diesel), vehicle results showed similar fuel consumption rates, horsepower and torque as compared with convetional petro diesel. Biodiesel has a superior level of lubricity, and thus is better for the long-term life of your engine.
Q: Does biodiesel cause fuel filters to clog?
A: Pure biodiesel (B-100) actually has a solvent effect that may even release deposits accumulated on tank walls and in pipes from previous petro diesel fuel use. There is no evidence to suggest that B-20, B-5, or B-2 blends cause filter clogs.
Q: Has biodiesel been thoroughly tested?
A: Biodiesel is the most thoroughly tested alternative fuel on the market. Testing and studies have been done by The U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Standyne Diesel Fuel Injection Manufacturing, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute and the Southwest Research Institute, among many other private and public institutions. Biodiesel is also the first and only alternative fuel to complete the health effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act.
Q: Do fuel standards exist for biodiesel?
A: The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) approved the standard for Biodiesel in December of 2001. The specificiation D-6751 is comprised of 15 specific tests which must be passed in order for the fuel to be sold as B-100.
Q: What happens to biodiesel in cold weather?
A: Cold weather can cloud and even gel any diesel fuel, including biodiesel. Users of a 20% biodiesel blend (B-20) with #2 diesel will usually experience an increase of the cold flow properties (cold filter plugging point, cloud point, pour point) by approximately 2 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Pure biodiesel (B-100) will gel faster than petro diesel in cold weather operations. According to the National Biodiesel Board, Solutions for winter operability with B-100 are much the same as those for low-sulfur #2 diesel. It is recommended that you blend the fuel with #1 diesel, utilize fuel heaters, and store vehicles in or near buildings. These same solutions may also be applied as a precaution to blends of B-20 or lower. There are also available additives that can improve cold flow. |
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