Tell Me the Facts About Biodiesel Fuel

We want to help you better understand biodiesel fuel.

What is Biodiesel Fuel?

Biodiesel is a renewable, oxygenated fuel.

It is made from agricultural and renewable resources, including soybeans or rapeseeds.

Biodiesel is comprised of methyl or ethyl ester-based oxygenates of long chain fatty acids derived from the transesterification of vegetable oils, animal fats, and cooking oils. It does not contain petroleum-based diesel fuel --- but can be blended at any level with petroleum­ based diesel fuel.

If it is not blended with petroleum-based diesel fuel, such biodiesel is referred to as "B 100", which means it consists of 100% (pure) biodiesel.

Most common biodiesel is blended with conventional (petroleum-based) diesel fuel. The percentage of the blend can be identified by its name. The most common blends are "B 7" (consisting of 7% biodiesel and 93% conventional petroleum-based diesel fuel) and "B 20" (a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% conventional diesel). Raw pressed vegetable oils are not considered to be biodiesel.

Advantages of Biodiesel Fuel

Let’s go through the advantages and disadvantages of biodiesel fuel.

Advantages include:

· Biodegradable and non-toxic.

· Safer than conventional diesel fuel due to its higher flashpoint.

· Less visible smoke.

· Lower amount of particulate matter.

Following the increased interest in the reduction of emissions and the reduction of the use of petroleum distillate based fuels; many governments and regulating bodies encourage the use of biodiesel.