Biodiesel Benefits and Considerations

 

Are you thinking about switching to a biodiesel-compatible vehicle or running your current diesel car or truck on biodiesel fuel? Continue reading to learn from biodiesel fuel and biotechnology expert John David Kaweske about the benefits of biodiesel vs. diesel, what's driving the market, and why you might want to consider making the transition to biodiesel yourself.

What is Biodiesel?

Biodiesel is a clean-burning, renewable substitute for petroleum diesel. Using biodiesel as a vehicle fuel increases energy security, improves air quality and the environment, and provides safety benefits.

Also called biofuel, biodiesel is a liquid that today participates in industrial processes for the preparation of petroleum or diesel (from oil), totally or partially. This liquid is compatible with materials such as plastic, metals or rubber.

How is this biofuel produced?

Biodiesel is obtained from oil plants, such as rapeseed or sunflower. Its possible extraction from algae cultures and even using fried oil is currently being investigated. According to John David Kaweske, President of Bio Clean Energy, S.A., its production has increased from 25 million gallons in 2005 to 1.7 billion gallons in 2013. Today, biodiesel is blended at a rate of 5% or less into almost all the diesel fuel sold in the United States.

Advantages of biodiesel

Among the advantages of using this fuel instead of diesel are:

·         Conservation of the planet's natural resources, as it is a renewable energy source.

·         Reduction of the import of fuels, if it has its own production of biodiesel. Thus, our energy dependence on fossil fuels, would also decrease.

·         Favor the development and fixation of rural populations that dedicate themselves to the production of this fuel.

·         Help reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.

·         It does not contain sulfur, so it will eliminate the problem of acid rain

·         Reduce soil contamination and toxicity risks in case of accidental spillage, as it is a biodegradable and non-toxic product.

As you may have noticed, using Biodiesel has plenty of advantages, which is why it is safe to say that very soon we will be able to choose this biofuel at more gas stations, not only in the US, but throughout the world. If so, pollutant emissions from cars would begin to decrease and, with them, environmental pollution (especially atmospheric) would significantly reduce, explains John David Kaweske. Therefore, biodiesel is a fuel that undoubtedly has great benefits for the environment.