What is Biodiesel?

By: Joseph Then
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:26:36
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Biodiesel is the fuel of the future, available today. This clean burning fuel alternative is produced from domestic resources, such as soybeans, that are entirely renewable. While biodiesel contains no petroleum, it can be mixed with petroleum to create a powerful biodiesel blend. However, biodiesel can be used in diesel engines without any modifications, making it the best biodegradable, nontoxic form of fuel available. In fact it is so safe, that common table salt has been found to be more toxic that biodiesel.

Unlike the usual vegetable oil based fuels that can only be used in modified, specially made combustion- ignition engines, biodiesel can be used in its simplest form to power the everyday diesel engines on the market today. Imagine companies shipping their products in big rigs run on boidiesel and farmers running their equipment on this biodegradable product.

Biodiesel is made through the simple chemical process of transesterification. During this process, the glycerin is removed from fat or vegetable oil. The process naturally leaves behind byproducts, including methyl esters, which is the chemical name for biodiesel, and glycerin, commonly used in soap production. The best part about biodiesel is that it is free of sulfur and aromatics, something that can't be said about traditional fuels.

Biodiesel isn't even like the other alternative fuels that are available today. It is the only alternative fuel that has completely passed all of the health effects testing requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. That means that Biodiesel is legally registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as a legal fuel for sale and distribution. The companies that produce other vegetable oil fuel alternatives can't sell their products as legal motor fuel, because they can't meet the fuel specifications that are necessary for registration with the EPA.

Biodiesel is much better for the environment than traditional fossil fuels. Biodiesel is made from renewable resources making it a wise fuel choice, ensuring the protection of our environment for future generations. It also has significantly lower emissions compared to the petroleum diesel most people put in their vehicles.

Biodiesel is also better for the economy because it is made in the USA from resources readily available within the countries own borders. When biodiesel is produced from USA grown products, such as soy beans, it lessons the countries dependence on foreign oil and reinvests American money back into the American economy.

This innovative fuel is becoming more widely available. It can be found nationwide at a few select places or purchased directly from producers and marketers. It is a bit more expensive than traditional fuels, but as the demand for safe, biodegradable fuel alternatives increases, the price of biodiesel should rapidly fall. The cheapest way to acquire biodiesel is to make it yourself at home.

Get more information about BioDiesel and learn how you can make your very own BioDiesel fuel at Making BioDiesel

Article source: Expert Articles

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