Frequently Asked Questions About Biodiesel

What is Biodiesel?

Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.

What are the benefits to using biodiesel?
Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Since it is made in the USA from renewable resources such as soybeans, its use decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to our own economy. (See our "Getting Started" area).

Can I use biodiesel in my existing diesel engine and what if any modifications are necessary?

Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine with little or no modification to the engine or the fuel system. Biodiesel has a solvent effect that may release deposits accumulated on tank walls and hoses from previous diesel fuel storage. The release of deposits may clog filters and initially filters may need to be changed more often .  You may also have to replace your fuel lines.  Older models used rubber hoses, biodiesel is an organic solvent and readily dissolves rubber

What fuel lines should I get and where do I find them?
Rubber based fuel lines need to be replaced with either viton lines or modern synthetic  fuel lines. Vinyl fuel lines are inexpensive but harden and break over time. Modern synthetic lines work well just don't spill any biodiesel on the outside, it will melt the outside covering, leading to line failure.   The best fuel line material called Viton. I have not used it but I understand that it is quite resistant to biodiesel. You will have to google Viton to find it though and you pay for it by the inch.

Will biodiesel work in cold weather?

Yes, but in very cold weather, micro waxy crystals begin to form and  will eventually clog your filter.  There are anti gel additives to help to deal with this problem. One very good option for extremely cold weather is to add petroleum during cold snaps.    Petroleum diesel already has an anti gelling agent added for winter use.

For entities seeking to adopt a definition of biodiesel for purposes such as federal or state statute, state or national divisions of weights and measures, or for any other purpose, the official definition consistent with other federal and state laws and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) guidelines is as follows:

Biodiesel is defined as mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats which conform to ASTM D6751 specifications for use in diesel engines. Biodiesel refers to the pure fuel before blending with diesel fuel. Biodiesel blends are denoted as, "BXX" with "XX" representing the percentage of biodiesel contained in the blend (ie: B20 is 20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel).

Is the use of biodiesel covered under engine warranties?

Manufacturer warranties cover defects in material and workmanship, and those warranties extend to engines burning biodiesel. These warranties do not cover engine problems related to fuel of any kind. Tests and demonstrations, however, have shown that biodiesel is no different from petroleum diesel in terms of engine performance and wear, as long as the biodiesel that meets ASTM standards.

Is Biodiesel approved for use in the US?
Biodiesel is registered as a fuel and fuel additive with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and meets clean diesel standards established by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Neat (100 percent) biodiesel has been designated as an alternative fuel by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the US Department of Transportation (DOT).

What are the potential applications of biodiesel?

Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine. This includes generators, heavy equipment, buses, automobiles, boat engines, trucks and special oil burning home heating stoves.

How do biodiesel emissions compare to petroleum diesel?
Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act. The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine results in substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter compared to emissions from diesel fuel. In addition, the exhaust emissions of sulfur oxides and sulfates (major components of acid rain) from biodiesel are essentially eliminated compared to diesel.

Can biodiesel help mitigate "global warming"?
A 1998 biodiesel lifecycle study, jointly sponsored by the US Department of Energy and the US Department of Agriculture, concluded biodiesel reduces net CO2 emissions by 78 percent compared to petroleum diesel. This is due to biodiesel's closed carbon cycle. The CO2 released into the atmosphere when biodiesel is burned is recycled by growing plants, which are later processed into fuel..Is biodiesel safer than petroleum diesel? Scientific research confirms that biodiesel exhaust has a less harmful impact on human health than petroleum diesel fuel. Biodiesel emissions have decreased levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitrited PAH compounds that have been identified as potential cancer causing compounds. Test results indicate PAH compounds were reduced by 75 to 85 percent, with the exception of benzo(a)anthracene, which was reduced by roughly 50 percent. Targeted nPAH compounds were also reduced dramatically with biodiesel fuel, with 2-nitrofluorene and 1-nitropyrene reduced by 90 percent, and the rest of the nPAH compounds reduced to only trace levels.

(Some questions above were answered courtesy of the Biodiesel Board. www.biodieselboard.com)