Biodiesel – Not the Ultimate Solution, But an Important Part of It

**Please read this before moving on. Some of the links will get mixed up if you don’t follow these instructions. First, click on the red underlined words (links). Then,

press and hold the ctrl key while clicking on the link again. I apologize for the inconvenience**

About MeMy Name is Yenny Vazquez. I am a junior at Florida Gulf Coast University. My declared major is currently psychology, but I have intentions of also getting a degree in Biology. I created this web page for Issues in Science and Technology. My intentions for this web page are to show you both sides of the story on Biodiesel. I think it is important that you see it all and make a decision for your self. I hope that the information found here will help you or be useful to you in some way.

My StanceI believe that the concept of biodiesel is a great alternative to straight diesel

(if everything is done the way it was intended). Straight vegetable oil (SVO) is also a great alternative. Basically, I believe that anything that eliminates (or at least lowers) our dependence on petroleum and foreign oil, and helps our environment is great. That includes electric vehicles (EV’s), fuel cells, ethanol, etc. But these things have to work together and properly in order to make the impact we long for. For one, biodiesel is only good for diesel engines. It can’t run in gasoline cars (ethanol can run in those). In fact, only 3% of vehicles on U.S. roads have diesel engines. So, it can’t fix the problem for every vehicle; therefore it cannot be the ultimate solution to the issue of fuel prices and foreign oil dependence. But it is a huge part of the solution because it raises interest in alternative fuels, gives people more choices, and brings us closer to fuel independence, among many other factors. But, like with any other probable solution, one has to look deeper into it to determine whether everything is the way it seems.

History of Biodiesel/Timeline:1893: The first experimental diesel engine model was made. Rudolf Diesel was back financially by a man named Baron Von Krupp and company named Machinenfabrik Augsberg Nurnberg. They also provided him

with engineers to help him with the engine. This first engine was made to run on coal dust that was found in abundance in the Ruhr Valley. This engine used high pressure air to blast the dust into the combustion chamber. That engine exploded, almost killing Rudolf Diesel, so it was concluded that coal was not a good source. (Click here for my source)1895: He built his final model, which would be the one that most people know him for today. In this model he incorporated a 4-stroke cycle with 450 psi compression. He

made this engine to run on peanut oil (not biodiesel like most people confuse it for). 1898: The patent for his new invention was granted # 608,8451900: Rudolf Diesel demonstrated the diesel engine for the first time at the World Fair in Paris, France and won the Grand Prix, highest prize. 1927: A modification was made to the diesel engine by a man named Robert Bosch when he incorporated a new fuel injection pump that would allow for better movement of the fuel as well as better combustion. 1920’s: Manufacturers of diesel engines altered the engines to run on petrodiesel instead of vegetable oil because of its lower viscosity level. 1970: The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) passed the Clean Air Act, which allowed the EPA to closely regulate pollutants such as sulfur dioxides, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides (NOx). This called for a cleaner-burning fuel. 1973-1979: Several events took place during this time period, together they increased interest in biodiesel. One of those events was the Arab Oil Embargo, which took place between 1973 and 1974. Also, the Iranian Revolution took place between 1978 and 1979. At this time, domestic oil production was decreasing. 1979: Research on using sunflower oil biodiesel and altering it to reach biodiesel regulations began in Africa1983: The research was completed and the fuel-quality, engine-tested biodiesel research was published internationally. 1987: The first ever biodiesel pilot plant (a tester plant that would help model the results of a full scale plant) was opened in Austria by a company called Gaskoks. 1989: The first full scale biodiesel plant was opened in Austria.1990’s: Biodiesel began to spread all across Europe.1992: The EPA passed the Energy Policy Act. The act’s goal was to increase the amount of alternative fuels used in the U.S. and lower the amount of foreign fuel being used. 2001: The first station to offer biodiesel in the United States was opened in Nevada. Soon after, California opens its first biodiesel station

What is Biodiesel?Biodiesel is an alternative fuel to standard diesel. It is usually made from plant oils or animals fats. Some of the typical plant oils used are soybean, sunflower, palm, canola, and peanuts. It can be used in its purest form, but it is usually blended with diesel. Blends are indicated by Bxx. For

example, B20 (which is the most common blend) contains 20% biodiesel and 80% diesel. B100 is also referred to as Neat biodiesel and it is pure biodiesel without any blending of petroleum.

How Is It Made?

The oils used in biodiesel must go through a process called transesterification. The process purifies the oil and reacts it with an alcohol that is usually methanol but ethanol can also be used. Methanol is used most often because it is less expensive than ethanol. A catalyst is also used to speed up the

process. The most common catalyst used is lye (sodium hydroxide – NaOH). Once the process is complete, the result is glycerin and esters if ethanol was used or methyl esters if methanol was used. The esters and methyl esters are the biodiesel. In Europe, the most common veggie oil used to

make biodiesel is rapeseed oil, which is in the same family as canola oil. In the U.S., the most common oil is soybean because the U.S. produces more soybean oil than any other fat or oil combined. 73% of the biodiesel produced in the U.S. comes from soybean; the other 27% comes from used greases or fat from slaughter houses. The downside to using soybean is that it only produces 56 gallons of oil per one acre. For comparison, canola produces 111 gallons of oil per acre (Allan Gray, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University).

The standard recipe used in the manufacturing process is 100 pounds of veggie oil + 10 pounds of methanol (that has been pre-mixed with the catalyst) which yields about 100 pounds of biodiesel and 10 pounds of glycerin.

Regulation/RegistrationASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) International is a standards group made up of engine and fuel injection equipment companies, fuel producers, and fuel users whose standards are recognized in the U.S. ASTM D6751 is the standards section for biodiesel. ASTM describes biodiesel as long chain fatty acid esters from vegetable oils or animal fats that contain only one alcohol molecule on one ester linkage. Straight vegetable oil (SVO) and waste vegetable oil (WVO) that has not been processed through transesterification contains three ester linkages and therefore cannot legally be called biodiesel (Section 2.2 of the Sept. 2006 Biodiesel Handling and Use Guidelines) .

Biodiesel is legally registered as a fuel or fuel additive by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). According to the EPA, all biodiesel fuels must meet ASTM specifications, regardless of the fat or oil used and the process by which it is made. The EPA states that any biodiesel that is purchased that does not meet ASTM, is not legally biodiesel and should not be used in diesel engines. This is not to say that using Veggie oil is not a good solution.

I have also done research on that and found that it’s also much better than regular diesel. (Region 9 of the EPA is for Biodiesel)

Comparisons

NOx : Nitrogen Oxide. It is colorless and odorless. The primary sources are motor vehicles, electric utilities, and other sources that burn fuel. It contributes to smog (ground level ozone) which can cause damage to lung tissue and is dangerous to those with asthma or who spends long periods of time outdoors, acid rain, water quality deterioration, global warming (combines with greenhouse gases), toxic chemicals (it can react with other toxins to form mutated toxic chemicals that form ozone), visibility impairments (unites with nitrogen dioxide and blocks the transmission of light and reduces visibility in urban areas and in national parks). It can also cause serious injuries to vegetation such as: bleaching or killing plant tissue, causing leaves to fall, reducing growth rate (which in this case could promote the use of more fertilizers which could result in a whole other soup of issues). “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), states, and local governments work as partners to reduce emissions of NOx. Reducing emissions of NOx is a crucial component of EPA's strategy for cleaner air.” – from an EPA facts sheet “The increase in NOx is leading some state regulatory agencies to consider banning the use of biodiesel. Therefore the issue of NOx emissions is potentially a significant barrier to expansion of biodiesel markets.” –National Renewable Energy Laboratories, Oct. 2006, P. 16

CO: Carbon Monoxide. It is an odorless and colorless gas that is produced by the incomplete burning of organic (carbon based) substances. It is the result of not using enough oxygen in burning. It is a dangerous gas that can and does cause death. The major sources of CO are: motor vehicle engines, coal mining, gas leakage, and cigarette smoke. Long term exposure can lead to persistent headaches, unconsciousness and death.-envirotools

HC: Hydrocarbon. This is a chemical compound that consists only of hydrogen and carbon. They are combustible and are the main components of fossil fuels (petroleum, coal, natural gas). The most abundant hydrocarbon found is methane. Incomplete combustion of HC

causes the production of CO. When HC is well combusted, it produces less CO. -Wikipedia

PM: Particulate Matter. Small particles of solid or liquid suspended in a gas. It’s a more technical word for soot, which is the black smoke-filled particles that come out of diesel exhausts. PM’s are produced by factory and utility smokestacks, vehicles exhaust, mining, and agriculture. PM’s are all smaller than the thickness of a sheet of paper but they do vary in size and their size is important when looking at the health risks involved. Large particulate matters come from soil. Small PM’s come from the burning of fuels and coal. The smaller the particle, the more dangerous it is because it can travel deeper into the lungs and in smaller pores. The most dangerous are ones that are 2.5 microns in diameter or less (human hair is 75 microns in diameter). A study showed an increase of 17% in mortality rates in areas with high concentrations of particulate matter. -envirotools

2006

Most of the biodiesel found in fueling stations is B20 and lower because that is the blend at which it is the most efficient when looking at emissions, lubricity, and viscosity. While B100 lowers PM, HC, and CO, it raises NOx, which makes it less efficient from an environmental perspective.

Fuel economy impacts of biodiesel use

% reduction in miles/gallon 20% biodiesel

0.9 - 2.1

100% biodiesel

4.6 - 10.6

Table IV.A.3-2

Carbon content of biodiesel and conventional diesel (lb carbon / gal fuel)

BiodieselAll biodiesel 5.69Plant-based 5.75Animal-based 5.57Conventional diesel 6.15

“Although it would appear from the values in Table IV.A.3-2 that biodiesel would have a tendency to produce less CO2 emissions than conventional diesel fuel, biodiesel also contains less energy per gallon. Thus more biodiesel must be consumed to propel a diesel vehicle a given distance than conventional diesel fuel. In order to take the difference in energy content into account, we calculated the carbon content per Btu.”

The reduction of gas mileage as a result of using biodiesel is found because biodiesel has less energy content than diesel, meaning more of it must be used in order to travel the same distance. This is important when looking at the “true” emissions.

Click here for source for both charts

Table IV.A.3-3Carbon content of biodiesel and conventional diesel (lb carbon / million Btu) Biodiesel All biodiesel 48.1 Plant-based 48.2 Animal-based 48.1 Conventional diesel 47.5

On an energy basis, the distinction between animal and plant-based biodiesel disappears. It also appears that biodiesel may actually increase emissions of CO2 relative to conventional diesel fuel. However, this potential increase is small (~ 1%), and it is unlikely to be discernable in-use given the variability in each of the components (density, H/C ratio, and energy content). These results suggest that there would likely be no measurable difference between biodiesel and conventional diesel in terms of exhaust CO2 emissions.

Dept. of Energy March 2007

ReportNational Avg.

Cost Per Gallon

National Avg. Cost

Considering Energy Content

Diesel $2.63 $2.63Biodiesel Blend

(B20) $2.53 $2.58Biodiesel Blend

(B2-B5) $2.60 $2.61Biodiesel (B100) $3.31 $3.64

Home-BrewBiodiesel can be made at home, although it is not recommended by the ASTM or EPA. If done correctly, this is one of the best ways to do it when it comes down to the environment because most home-brewers use recycled waste rather than new oil. Whether a biodiesel user will be making it themselves or buying it, it still helps to know how the process of producing it works.

*Example of why home-brewing could be risky

The equipment (kits)

Biodiesel blends cost less than pure biodiesel because of government tax incentives given to producers, which are then passed to the consumer.

o www.b100supply.com o www.homebiodieselkits.com

The chemicals

o Methanol – This is an alcohol, so it is highly flammable and caution must be used when using it. It can cause blindness and death even without drinking it because it can be absorbed through the skin. It usually costs are $1-1.50 per gallon and only 10% methanol is needed in a mix of vegetable oil to make biodiesel.

o Lye – Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH). It’s found in many household items such as soap and drain cleaners. It is highly toxic and dangerous. It can cause severe burns and death. Costs about $6 for two pounds.

o Glycerin – This is the byproduct of biodiesel production. It settles to the bottom of the tank used to make biodiesel. It will have some lye in it, so in order to get just the glycerin out; another process has to be done. Some people sell the glycerin because it is used in soap making and in cosmetics. Others use it to burn fires, but this can be hazardous because if it’s not burnt at high temperatures (above 200 degrees) it releases a toxic called acrolein (which is what’s released when burning SVO). (source)

The Process

How to make biodiesel at home Time process: How long it takes to make biodiesel

depends on how much is being made, the experience the person has, and whether the person is following ASTM specifications (making sure the pH levels are correct, the temperature is correct, washing has been done properly, water has been removed, etc.) It can take a few hours or days, it all depends. Here’s one set of time intervals I found online for a good, clean batch of biodiesel:

Biodiesel typically takes a couple of days to a week from start to finish to make a batch. Most people making biodiesel make anywhere between 20 to 100 gallons at a time in a batch process.

Here's a breakdown of typical START

Collecting Oil - 1-2 hours

Filtering Oil - 1-2 hours (depends on amount of oil)

Titration Of Oil - 10-15 minutes

Transferring Oil To Processor - 10-20 minutes

Heating Oil - 1-4 hours (depends on amount of oil, voltage & wattage of element)

Making Methoxide - 5-20 minutes (depends on amount of methanol and catalyst used)

Mixing Methoxide Into Oil - 20-30 minutes

Mixing Oil & Methoxide - 2-3 hours

Settling Oil - 8-10 hours (usually overnight)

Draining Glycerin - 5-10 minutes

Transferring Biodiesel To Wash Tank - 10-20 minutes

First Mist Wash - 2-3 hours Second Mist Wash - 2-3 hours First Bubble Wash - 6-8 hours (usually overnight) Second Bubble Wash - 6-8 hours (usually overnight) Transferring Biodiesel To Drying Containers - 10-20 minutes

(depends on amount) Drying Biodiesel - 2 hours to 1 week (depends heavily on weather

and amount made) Transferring To Storage Containers - 10-20 minutes (depends on

amount) FINISH

(source)

Biodiesel Man – Dirty Jobs segment on how to make biodiesel the less timely way.

Part OnePart Two

What’s the difference between making a quick batch and a timely batch? – The cleaner the biodiesel is and the more it’s been treated, the closer it is to meeting ASTM specifications and running better in vehicles.

Buying BiodieselNational Biodiesel Board’s Guide to Consumers:

For Blends up to 20%:

Biodiesel blends of 20 percent and below will work in any diesel engine with little or no need for engine modifications (although some hoses, seals, and filters may need to be changed due to biodiesel’s solvent abilities).  These blends will operate in diesel engines just like petroleum diesel.  If the blend has been properly treated by the petroleum company, it will work year round, even in cold climates.  B20 also provides similar horsepower, torque, and mileage to diesel.

There are a few PRECAUTIONS to take when making the switch to B20:

Make sure you buy B20 from a reputable source.

Buy fuel that is already blended.  This will help ensure that the biodiesel has been properly handled and treated for climatic needs.

Never buy from someone making fuel in their garage or backyard. 

Biodiesel is a cleaning agent, which means petroleum deposits may end up in the fuel filter until the system is clean.  Stick to your regular maintenance schedule, unless your vehicle feels

sluggish when accelerating.  This is a symptom of a plugged filter and should be checked immediately.   

For Blends Above 20%:

The ASTM has approved use of biodiesel for blends up to 20%. There has not been enough research yet to know the long-term effects of using higher blends. The most common blends found in fueling stations are B5 and B20 because those are the ones that produce the most efficient lubrication to the engine as well the best overall emissions. B100 lowers mileage on diesel vehicles and produces more engine wear because it is more viscous (thicker) than regular diesel. It also tends to clog engines and fuel lines because of its solvent abilities that clean out the fuel tank of residue from diesel use.

Because of concerns to what B100 will do to the engines, many auto manufacturers do not approve the use of blends of higher than 5%. For Example: Ford and VW

“A considerable amount of experience exists in the U.S. with a 20 % blend of biodiesel, primarily produced from soybean oil, with 80 % diesel fuel (B20). Experience with biodiesel produced from animal fat and other oils is similar. Although biodiesel (B100) can be used, blends of over 20 % biodiesel with diesel fuel (B20) should be evaluated on a case by case basis until further experience is available.” - ASTM quote found on NBB

Considerations to make when using B100:

Long term engine satisfactory for use of biodiesel above 20% blend has not been fully examined. “Little or no engine modifications” refers to blends up to 20%. For blends above that amount, including B100, modifications and more maintenance may be required.

Cold flow (gelling): Biodiesel is thicker than diesel and tends to gel at higher temperatures, which may be a problem in cold climates. Biodiesel blends of 2% act very similar to diesel, and this is not a problem. In fact, B2 has been proven to be good for diesel engines because it lubricates parts better and helps the vehicle run more smoothly. B100 made from soybean tends to gel at around 32 degrees F or higher, causing fuel filters to clog in cold temperatures.

Materials: B100 tends to soften rubber components over time (Hoses and fuel pump seals). If parts are not changed when needed, this can lead to fuel leaks. Manufacturers suggest that rubber parts in vehicles not come in contact with blends about B20. This is not so much of a problem with blends below B20, especially with newer cars since some of them are made with compatible materials.

Solvent properties: Biodiesel is used as a cleaning agent in factories because of its ability to dissolve build-up. This can be good and bad for engines. Diesel tends to leave a thick deposit of gunk at the bottom of fuel tanks and in the walls of fuel lines. Biodiesel dissolves the gunk and cleans the tank and lines. This results in clogged filters and fuel lines. With blends up to B20, this happens slowly and allows the consumer to change filters frequently until all the debris has been flushed through. With higher blends, especially B100, this can be a HUGE problem. B100 will clean the vehicle very quickly and it can cause the engine to starve of fuel and shut off, leaving the driver stranded. It is extremely important to change fuel lines very often when making the switch to biodiesel. **If the injectors or fuel pumps are damaged do to poor maintenance with biodiesel use, the repairs could be very costly and will not be covered by warranties, as these are not caused be defective equipment**

Click on the map to find biodiesel fueling stations

I spoke on the phone with a biodiesel distributor (Coastal Biofuels LLC located in North Florida) in order to learn more of the inside workings of the biodiesel industry and here is what I learned:

How do you as a distributor feel about home-brewing biodiesel: She said if it’s the only way that someone can get biodiesel because fueling stations are too far, then she supports it. But if it is at all possible to buy it, it’s better because it’s safer and the quality is guaranteed to meet ASTM.

Which do you recommend, B100 or a blend? : “Cars are not made for B100; they are more compatible with B20.” She recommends using B20 because it reduces overall emissions better, whereas B100 raises the amount of NOx too much and there is fear that some states may ban biodiesel all together because B100 can’t meet NOx regulations. “B20 reaches the highest benefits of emissions and it is not as corrosive to rubber as B100, also it doesn’t plug lines and filters as much and works well in cold climates.”

Why does B100 cost so much more than a blend? : Producers of biodiesel get tax incentives paid for by state and government taxes on blending biodiesel with petroleum rather than leaving it in its pure form. They get around $1.00 per gallon for a B20 blend, so it costs less for them to produce it that way and they can pass the savings over to the consumer.

Why is that? Is the government trying to slow down the biodiesel market? : No. It just doesn’t make sense to use B100 in the U.S. because we can’t produce enough of it with soybean. Most of the biodiesel that is made in the U.S. comes from soybean, not recycled oil. We can get more out of it if it’s mixed with diesel. Incentives for B100 have been pushed from 2008 to 2012 because it has taken longer than expected to get this market moving. We’re having trouble finding farmers willing to plant soybean for the sole purpose of biodiesel. We’re also having trouble getting gas stations to agree to sell it because they would need separate tanks made just for biodiesel. Perhaps if we can get other crops, such as Jatropha which gets about 300 gallons per acre, we can increase the use of B100. Soybean produces about 50 gallons of oil per acre, which is nothing compared to Palm oil which gets about 600 gallons, but that is causing problems in other countries like Malaysia.

What problems? : “In Malaysia, they’re burning down the rain forests to plant palm trees for the production of biodiesel which defeats the purpose of biodiesel all together.” (She didn’t seem to want to go into that too much, so I did my own research on it)

Do you think in the future, B100 will take over as a diesel fuel? : “That’s not likely because there are more risks involved with B100 as oppose to say B20.”

Do you recommend starting with B5, then upgrading to B20, and so on? : “B100 eats away at everything and cleans everything, which could be good in the long run because it keeps the insides of the car clean but you must use caution because it could leave you stranded if you don’t change filters very frequently.” She recommends starting with B20 because it cleans the car more slowly and allows you more time to catch problems. Plus B20 will eliminate most of the smoking that is seen with diesel and it lowers some emissions. Also, a low blend allows you to try it out and see if you like it. It also lets you find out if your car would be compatible with higher blends.

Hidden Costs and Concerns When promoting the use of biodiesel, most people think they are

promoting the use of recycled vegetable oil and grease. It would be GREAT if all biodiesel was made from recycled materials, but unfortunately as mentioned above…most of the biodiesel produced in the U.S. comes straight from plants. Why? Because it’s easier to produce biodiesel without having to go through extra filtration of dirty oil. Also because it takes too much time to go to various places to collect used oil. **A possible solution in the future could be to mandate restaurants and such to dispose their oils and greases in a local biodiesel production plant so that new oil isn’t used.**

Supporters of biodiesel want to make it at home because it’s the cheapest way (in the long run, after taking into account the cost of machinery, supplies, etc). While this is a good thing for the environment (as long as WVO-waste vegetable oil is used), it’s not always possible because not everyone has the space in their yard to set up a biodiesel system. Also, it is extremely dangerous, especially in a home with children and pets.

Home-brewers have been known to sell their product to other people. While this sounds great, they are getting in legal trouble because often times, they don’t have a license to sell biodiesel

and because they are evading taxes on profits. Here’s one example. Another issue is that taxes must be paid for any fuel that is used on the road, and that includes home-made biodiesel. A man in Wisconsin was charged for not paying taxes on the biodiesel he made at home. In Wisconsin, home-brewers must pay 2 cents per gallon for inspection fees, plus 31 cents per gallon of biodiesel. (source)

The best way for the consumer to obtain biodiesel is to buy it from a fueling station because 1) no handling of dangerous chemicals 2) it insures that the product was made under ASTM specifications 3) don’t have to worry about glycerin disposal 4) don’t have to worry about the hassle or time it takes to make 5) the up-front cost of buying is much cheaper 6) won’t take up space in your home…and so forth. BUT at the same time this is a HUGE issue- then we’re promoting the production of biodiesel from new oil rather than used oil. Also, as long as we keep buying it from fueling stations, we will always depend on them to do whatever they want with the prices and we know how that goes.

Deforestation – This is a global issue. This is why I am not fully for the use of biodiesel…I like the idea of recycled oil for biodiesel, but not new oil.

Biodiesel plants have been built and continue to be built in Malaysia. The biodiesel production in Malaysia comes from the use of palm oil because it’s able to produce about 600 gallons of oil per acre. What’s the problem?

‘"The demand for biodiesel," the Malaysian Star reports, "will come from the European Community ... This fresh demand ... would, at the very least, take up most of Malaysia's crude palm oil inventories." Why? Because it is cheaper than biodiesel made from any other crop.’

“Before oil palms, which are small and scrubby, are planted, vast forest trees, containing a much greater store of carbon, must be felled and burnt. Having used up the drier lands, the plantations are moving into the swamp forests, which grow on peat land. When they've cut the trees, the planters drain the ground. As the peat dries it oxidizes, releasing even more

carbon dioxide than the trees. In terms of its impact on both the local and global environments, palm biodiesel is more destructive than crude oil from Nigeria.”

(source)

Video – Problems With Palm Oil

“At $400 per metric ton, or about $54 per barrel, palm oil is competitive with conventional oil. In the future, palm oil prices are expected to fall further as more oil palm comes under cultivation. With cheap land, abundant labor, and ideal climate, investors and developers are eyeing tropical Africa as the next major producer of palm oil.” (source)

“If you make biofuels properly, you will reduce greenhouse emissions,” said Peder Jensen, of the European Environment Agency in Copenhagen. “But that depends very much on the types of plants and how they’re grown and processed. You can end up with a 90 percent reduction compared to fossil fuels — or a 20 percent increase.” (source)

“Biofuelswatch, an environment group in Britain, now says that “biofuels should not automatically be classed as renewable energy.” It supports a moratorium on subsidies until more research can determine whether various biofuels in different regions are produced in a nonpolluting manner.” (source)

Food VS Fuel and Animals in Danger – The plantation of crops for fuel usage has raised concerns as to whether the food industry is competing with the fuel industry. This isn’t so

much of a problem when it comes to using soybean for biodiesel, like here in the U.S. because the nutrient and protein rich part of the plant is not used for biodiesel, only the oil is. But this is a problem for countries in which large rainforests are being destroyed for the use of extracting biodiesel. Another way to look at it, though, is that if other countries continue to destroy rainforests, this could continue to put more CO2 in the air and thus U.S. plants (including soybean) will suffer, requiring more fertilizer to grow, not to mention the destruction it is putting on our entire ecosystem and the danger it is putting on animal’s lives.

“As demand for both food and energy increases, competition for fertile lands could raise food prices enough to drive the poorer third of the globe into malnourishment. The destruction of rainforests and other ecosystems to make new farmland would threaten the continued existence of countless animal and plant species and would increase the amount of climate-changing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.” (source)

Video – Orangutans in Danger

Warranty Issues – As mentioned before, most auto manufacturers don’t approve the use of biodiesel blends above 5%. If the consumer encounters problems while using biodiesel, such as fuel leaks, clogging, and broken seals, the manufacturer’s warranty will not cover the repairs because they have nothing to do with the parts themselves.

Availability of diesel vehicles – This isn’t that big of a deal but in my opinion, it might slow down the biodiesel market because it might make people think diesels are a bad thing. New diesel cars can’t be purchased everywhere. 5 states prohibit the sales of new diesel cars (California, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, and New York). (source)

I thought biodiesel was supposed to eliminate, not enhance the use of foreign oil: The U.S. is going to other countries in search of farmland for the planting of crops to be used for biodiesel. As mentioned above, South Asia is one of those places. As if this could not get any worse…

“Indonesian corporation Sinar Mas Group is planning to build two massive new palm-oil biodiesel plants for fuel export to Europe and the U.S. The first of the two is to be built on the Indonesian island of Sumatra with an annual capacity of 400,000 tonnes with the second to be built in Malaysia with a capacity of 200,000 tonnes per year. The plants should both be up and running by the end of 2008.

Earlier this year, Sinar Mas Group's palm-oil arm entered a US$5.5 billion agreement with Chinese oil giant CNOOC and Hong Kong Energy Ltd to produce biofuel in Indonesia.

Analysis: Big money is being spent in Asia to produce biodiesel for export to western nations. Palm-oil based biodiesel producers have clearly seen the profits generated by crude oil producing nations and decided that they would like a slice of the global energy pie. I just hope the forests don't go under the knife to get B5 blends to the bowser.” (source)

An example of one of our own states that is against planting crops for fuel is Hawaii and a group of people have formed to work against this because it’s causing problems. Here’s a video of an unhappy Hawaii resident.

*The pros and cons of using biodiesel depends on the blend, vehicle year, driving tendencies, and season (cold weather vs warm weather

Pros of Using Biodiesel: Click on the R to view my resources Reduces unburned hydrocarbon released into the atmosphere, which is one of the major exhaust pollutants. R

If used under strict code, it can reduce 50% of smog from hydrocarbon as oppose to regular diesel. It is domestically produced (sometimes). This lowers the cost of taxes and dependency on other countries. If used under code, it can completely eliminate sulfur emissions, which one of the causes of acid rain. Because biodiesel contains oil or fat, it lubricates the engine better than regular diesel. It is biodegradable and non-toxic when used. Because it is a renewable source, it may promote recycling. R It may encourage people to seek other forms of alternative energy such as solar power.

Cons of Using Biodiesel: Click on the R to view my resources Increases

emissions of nitrogen oxides. R

The car may need some engine modification in order to run biodiesel.

Most of it is NOT made from recycled materials like many people think

Biodiesel has a solvent effect which may remove debris from the walls of the fuel tank and pipes and can clog the engine. It also eats away at gaskets and seals. Newer cars (ones made after 1992) are made with specifications that help lower this problem. Although, the higher the blend, the worse this problem is. R

Biodiesel depends on crops, so this means it needs lots of land in order to grow.

The higher the

amount of bio in the biodiesel, the more the fuel tends to have a gelling effect in cold weather. This requires a fuel heater. R

It has a negative effect on the performance of the vehicle in that it will run slower and have less power with higher blends.

It can cost more than standard diesel. According to the EPA, biodiesel of a B20 blend can cost 30-40 cents more per gallon than regular diesel.

Home-brewers are put at risk

May void auto warranties

Obtaining it from new oil promotes deforestation in other countries and perhaps the U.S.

If the concept of it gets skewed even more than it already has, it could destroy our earth even faster

A Glance At Some of The Other Types of Alternative Fuels/Vehicles:

Electric VehiclesElectric vehicles work solely on electricity. They are environmentally friendly because they emit absolutely no tailpipe pollutants. They reduce energy dependency on other

countries because they are a domestic source. Electric motors are extremely quiet and offer smooth operation. They require less maintenance than gas and diesel cars (no clogging of fuel, some require no oil, no fuel filters to change). It is cheaper to run than gas and diesel vehicles. The downside is that most of them only get about 150 miles per charge, but this is not a problem for most people (the average daily travel in the U.S. is 40 miles). Electric cars can be charged at any place where an outlet can be found. The average full-charge time is about 4 hours. (source)

Hybrid Vehicles Hybrid cars are a combination of gas or diesel or a flex fuel, and an electric motor. They switch between the electric motor and the gas or diesel motor to save fuel. While the vehicle is stopped, for example at a red light or stop sign, the

electric motor kicks in and the gas motor turns off. This is great for city driving and during heavy traffic. The electric motor also turns on when the vehicle is traveling from 0-15 mph. This is also a benefit because this is when cars use up the most gas because they are using lots of energy to propel

themselves from a stopped position to a moving position. The fuel economy of hybrid cars is opposite of gas and diesel cars. It actually saves more gas in city driving because of the electric motor. Because highway driving takes place at speeds higher than 15 mph, the hybrid car will only use the gas motor unless the car comes to a stop. In common cars, the kinetic energy that is used to stop the car is dissipated as heat. Hybrid cars are able to use that energy by converting it into electricity that is used to re-charge the electric motor. Therefore, hybrid cars require no charging like electric cars do. (source)

EthanolEthanol is a flex-fuel that is made from the fermentation of starch crops. The most common type is corn. Ethanol is to gas as biodiesel is to diesel. In other words, it can only be run in gas cars. Vehicles that run on ethanol reduce the amounts of

carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide released as oppose to regular gas. It is also biodegradable, water soluble, and non-toxic. The downside to the consumer is that ethanol costs more. It contains less combustible energy than regular gas and therefore requires more fill-ups. A full tank of E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gas mixture) will run out 20% faster than gas alone. It may also cost more than gasoline because it has a limited supply and must often be shipped farther than gasoline depending on where it is made and where it is being shipped. According to the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, Florida only has 12 ethanol stations. (source)

ConclusionIt’s difficult to predict what’s going to happen in the future with biodiesel. Will we ruin our earth even more by destroying rain

forests to plant crops for biodiesel? I think the concept of biodiesel is great, but it has its downfalls. I would love it if every diesel car could run on recycled vegetable oil and greases rather than new oil. That would eliminate the fear of deforestation, extinction of animals, food vs fuel, etc associated with biodiesel. But it is not realistic. Our future can’t depend only on biodiesel because not all cars have diesel engines. The solution lies in the blending of all alternative fuels and alternative vehicles, but we have to be smart about it. My biggest fear, when it comes to this topic, is that we are going to cause more harm by trying to fix this problem than what was caused in the first place.

Other Useful Links: Pacific Biodieselwww.biodiesel.com National Biodiesel Boardwww.biodiesel.org Maui Biodiesel Rental Carswww.bio-beetle.com Alternative Fuels Data Centerwww.eere.energy.gov/afdc/index.html Test Your Biodieselwww.biodieseltesting.com

Last revised: April, 2007