Fuel Facts
Biodiesel is manufactured by chemically reacting vegetable oils, recycled cooking grease or animal fats with alcohol.
Most of the fuel is made from domestically produced soybean oil. It has an extremely low sulfur content and meets EPA 2006 regulations for ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel.
The fuel reduces tailpipe emissions such as particulates, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and air toxics. Blends of 20 percent biodiesel with 80 percent petroleum diesel (B20) can generally be used in unmodified diesel engines. Pure biodiesel (B100) can also be used in diesel engines, but the engines may require modification, because the fuel acts as a solvent on some materials. Pure biodiesel also needs treatment mixed with No. 2 diesel or other anti-gelling products for cold-weather operation.
Biodiesel has about 10 percent less energy content than No. 2 diesel and about the same as No. 1. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, low-level blends of biodiesel and No. 2 diesel should perform the same as conventional diesel, but with lower emissions.
The U.S. Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency promote the use of biodiesel and other renewable fuels because they say it delivers real environmental, economic and energy security benefits.
From an economic standpoint, increased biodiesel use means a new market for farmers because it can be made from soybeans, rapeseeds and other vegetable-oil producing crops.
Environmentally, pure biodiesel can reduce carbon dioxide emissions – the so-called green house gas – by more than 75 percent over petroleum diesel. The B20 blend can still achieve as much as 15 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
Biodiesel also has superior lubricity, which reduces wear and tear on the engine and can increase the life of engine components. In addition, it is a mild solvent that will help clean fuel systems.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Agriculture
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