Is BioDiesel Good or Bad for the Environment?
December 20, 2008 by admin
Filed under Alternative Energy, Alternative Fuel, BioDiesel, BioFuels
The Biofuel Debate – What’s all the fuss about?
There has been much talk of biofuels and in particular biodiesel being touted as a more carbon friendly alternative to traditional petroleum based fuel…
- Because biodiesel is made from renewable resources (unlike fossil fuels) and it has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel
- Because it is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar
- Because it is made entirely from renewable resources such as soybeans, sunflowers, rapeseed and palm oil as well as waste vegetable oil (used cooking oils)
it surely follows biodiesel must be better for the environment…or is it?
Over the last few years through the Kyoto Protocol, governments have discussed the global issue of climate change with a view to setting targets to reduce greenhouse gases. Whilst there has been general agreement that something needs to be done and targets have been set, the United States is the only developed country that has not ratified the treaty and yet it is one of the significant greenhouse gas emitters.
The dilemma seems to be that biodiesel is undoubtedly greener than traditional petroleum based fuel. On the other hand however, as there is no stipulation how and where this fuel is produced, could this ‘green’ fuel actually be doing more harm to our environment than good?
Let’s look at some of the contributing factors to this debate…
Biodiesel – The Good
As an alternative fuel, biodiesel would seem to be a very good alternative to fossil based fuels:-
- Mitigating the effects of greenhouse gas emissions
- Making best use of the remaining limited supplies of fossil fuels
- Reducing air pollution along with the associated health risks to the public
- Benefiting domestic economies by reducing the dependence on importing foreign petroleum
- Relatively easy to produce in small or large volumes
Biodiesel – The Bad
The main problem with bio-fuels today is the source of the raw materials:-
- Biodiesel and ethanol are produced from plant oils and from edible crops meaning competition for basic foodstuffs, food or oil?
- Rain forests are being converted to palm oil production (palm oil is a key ingredient of food and other consumables…it can also be used to produce biodiesel)
- Current crops cannot keep pace with the bio-materials needed for producing biodiesel
Does this mean if we replace traditional petroleum based diesel with biodiesel we’ll compromise our supply of foodstuffs?
Biodiesel – The Future
The Biotech Industry has begun to help with the need to find alternative fuel sources for the future by looking at how to get more from less:-
- Increased production of more plants
- Improving crop yields – corn, a common biofuel crop in the USA, yields under 200 barrels (per square mile per year) whereas Jatropha for instance can yield over 2,000 barrels
- Use of marginal land – look at crops (see below) that can be grown on arid land rather than take away arable farmland needed for essential food production. Using arid land in the poorer regions could provide social and economic benefits for that region
New sources that lessen the threat of environmental impact include:-
- Algae – grows quickly, renews quickly but to be a viable option cost effective harvesting remains a challenge
- Jatropha – can be grown in arid climates, has a high yield compared with traditional biocrops, has the potential to increase fertility of the land
- Camalina – Researchers say the Camelina plant is an excellent source of biofuel; it can be grown in arid land, with less water, fertilizer and pesticides
Biodiesel – Many Complex Issues
Diesel engines were in fact originally designed in the early 1900′s to run on biodiesel made from oil seed crops and not to run on petroleum-based diesel. Was it a mistake not to encourage the development and take up of biodiesel back then instead of depending almost solely on petroleum?
Despite agreement in principle that biodiesel has a role to play in helping to reduce emissions unless politicians give clear guidelines about the future of renewable fuels there will continue to be a haphazard take up around the world. Most governments have been proceeding with caution and rightly so but mixed messages from governments around the world have only added to the uncertainty around the use biodiesel fuel. What should be the governments role be in promoting the use of biodiesel?
We live in a world today that has largely grown up in a throw away society without due regard to the consequences of waste. This wasteful attitude has been exacerbated by the lack of proper education in the basic skills of survival. It is only relatively recently that modern day governments have begun to encourage large scale recycling.
The challenge we face is to educate the public about the issues surrounding biofuels and what is good or bad. Honest debate not influenced by individual hidden agenda’s is the only way to arrive at political choices that embrace all the issues surrounding the use of biofuel.
So, is biodiesel good or bad for the environment?
One thing is for sure, first generation biofuels once thought to be the alternative fuel source of the future, have come under increased scrutiny recently. It is becoming clear that more information is needed about the potentially destructive elements of first-generation biofuels and the impact they have on the environment.
Environmentalists are concerned that the inadvertent consequence of using biodiesel fuel is unrecoverable damage to the environment. Furthermore, developing a dependence on traditional first generation biocrops may result in food competing with fuel over the use of land. We need to determine what the true balance is between good and bad from an environmental perspective.
Clearly governments need to further embrace the concept of reducing greenhouse gas emissions but should they be more proactive in finding a green source for our fuel as well?
Instead of destroying forests maybe we should look to new more “green” raw materials for producing biofuels. We must embrace the promotion of second and third-generation biofuels in an effort to help solve many of the current problems surrounding the use of first generation biodiesel.
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Alan Folkard is an avid devotee and follower of all things Biodiesel and supports the adoption of biodiesel as an alternative fuel provided a way can be found to balance the good and bad from an environmental perspective. Learn more about what biodiesel is. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_Folkard |
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How Do You Make Biodiesel at Home?
December 18, 2008 by admin
Filed under Alternative Energy, Alternative Fuel, BioDiesel, BioFuels
Biodiesel, as an alternative fuel, has a number of benefits, but one of the most exciting things about Biodiesel is that anyone can make it at home. Imagine being able to make your fuel for your vehicle or even to create energy for your home? That would translate into major savings for you.
Making Biodiesel is not really that difficult of a process. If you are able to, it is a great idea to get involved in making your own Biodiesel because you get to save more money in the long run when you use home-made Biodiesel.
Material Supplies for Biodiesel
Producing a small amount Biodiesel at home entails minimal requirements You need the actual ingredients to make the Biodiesel alcohol, lye substance and vegetable oil. Mixing the fuel requires some input supplies: empty plastic bottles, duct tape, a blender and measuring cups. You have to ensure that production inputs for Biodiesel should be solely intended for that purpose and never use again in the kitchen for cooking.
When your inputs are available, you are ready to begin learning how to make Biodiesel.
Safe Procedure
Making Biodiesel is a relatively safe process. Running the risk of inviting fire or explosion is minimal. Indeed the main safety measure you have to watch out, inflicting burns to yourself due to flames. Just be careful and realize the mixture does get hot.
You will undertake the simple procedure of Biodiesel production which entails combining the inputs, letting it to settle, splitting the byproduct and Biodiesel and then cleaning the Biodiesel. The timeframe can take place from a few days to a few weeks. That depends on the extent of cleanliness of your vegetable oil.
Low Volume or High Volume
The production of a Biodiesel can be in a small scale or a large scale basis. Tapping biodisel is sensible if your goal is to make a few gallons of Biodiesel at a time. If you are running your lawnmower or other lawn equipment then A Biodiesel kit is recommended. It is simple to use and will entail minimal inputs.
If you are after more production of Biodiesl like for fueling your automobile, you have to invest on a Biodiesel processor. This promotes efficiency and effectiveness, thus you can generate a higher volume of production. With a processor you will need some more supplies but you can find ease in making Biodiesel since the processor does most of the work for you.
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Facts and Myths about Biodiesel
December 16, 2008 by admin
Filed under Alternative Fuel, BioDiesel, BioFuels, BioMass
Most of the rumours spread about biodiesel damage is started by bandwagon jumpers who have never used biodiesel and sometimes may never even own a diesel car!. These people just love to use the internet to spread rumours, add their weight to the latest negative issues and start their own chinese whispers!.
Many people are also just perhaps passing on the experiences of a friend of a friend or even just repeating information given by other mis-informed individuals!. If you read the various motoring forums, then there is always somebody who has had a ‘negative’ experience of biodiesel. The again, if you read that closely there are people who have had fuel pump problems, engine damage, turbo failures on cars which have never even had a sniff of biodiesel!.
However, as with most things in life, there are some exceptions, and so a small risk, and so any owners venturing down the alternative fuel route will have to accept that all batches of biodiesel are different, and what may work for some will not work well for others.
Biodiesel will not damage your engine – however BAD biodiesel can!
Most of the genuine biodiesel problems occur when people have been careless about the quality of biodiesel which they pour into their cars. Well made and washed biodiesel will work in nearly all pre 2006 model cars without significant loss of power or any risk of damage. However there are suppliers out there who are not making biodiesel correctly, and those who are just selling Vegetable oil and thinners – which is NOT biodiesel.
Some people are also unaware that when first using biodiesel, it does clean out the fuel system and engine which can in turn, lead to blocked fuel filters. Although these are cheap and easy to replace, the effects of a blocked fuel filter (poor idle, sluggish, lack of power, limp home mode triggered in ECUs) are often confused with damage from Biodiesel, and reported as such!. However these are, in fact, perfectly normal signs of a blocked fuel filter and unlikely to cause damage.
Using biodiesel which hasn’t been filtered or washed properly, can cause fuel pump failure and injector problems and these are expensive to repair and replace. You do need to ensure that you buy from a reputable biodiesel supplier and read the feedback on forums (or ebay) to see the opinions of those who have bought from the biodiesel supplier before.
Owners forums and places like Pistonheads or TDICLUB can be a great source of information for biodiesel use – also have a look to see if there is a forum for owners of your particular make and model of car.
Myth:- Just pour in Vegetable Oil – its just the same as biodiesel but cheaper!
This statement is not only misleading, but it can also cause you expensive damage to your car!. Biodiesel is NOT the same as Vegetable oil.
There is no way that you should be just pouring new or used vegetable oil into your fuel tank without doing some serious research first, and possibly investing in a twin tank conversion for Veg Oil use!. If your car is a Direct Injection or Common Rail engined car, or manufactured after 2001, then there is a very good chance that your car will NOT run on Vegetable Oil and the risk of damage will result. Properly made Biodiesel will run in nearly all cars, and all types of engine including DI, TDI, HDI, CDI, TDDCI – however Vegetable Oil will only run in a fraction of much older types of car.
Vegetable oil is far thicker than Biodiesel, and so is more likely to not only clog up your fuel system, but also damage your fuel pump and clog up your injectors. Newer common rail diesel cars have extremely small, high pressure injection systems which will be quickly damaged by vegetable use, even when mixed with regular diesel!.
It is true that Biodiesel IS made from vegetable oil, often waste vegetable oil, and this is where the confusion often begins, however that is also where the connection between biodiesel and veg oil ends. To produce biodiesel, the waste oil has to be heated, dewatered, filtered and then mixed with other chemicals in a process called transestification, this process is then followed by more filtering, washing (to remove glycerine and methanol) and then polished – only then can it be called well made biodiesel, and only then should it find its way into your fuel tank!.
Myth:- Diesel Cars get better MPG from Biodiesel use
Opinions on this are mixed!, however in my own personal experience, there is a slight loss of MPG when using biodiesel instead of regular diesel. This is because Biodiesel has less energy than fossil diesel during the injection and combustion process, and so the fuel system needs to use slightly more fuel in order to produce the same amount of power compared to that needed on regular diesel.
It does however depend on the type of car, the type of fuel injection system and the types of journeys that you do!. There are some diesel owners who do get the same or slightly more MPG when running on biodiesel, however these tend to be older cars and on longer runs – if you do mainly short journeys where the engine does not reach normal operating temperature then the drop in MPG on biodiesel may be considerable.
Always factor in the price of biodiesel, compared to the loss experience in MPG. Sadly, some drivers are still filling up with biodiesel which only costs a few pence les than regular diesel, yet getting 5 – 10 mpg less on the same journeys. Obviously in these cases, it can cost you more in real terms than sticking with regular forecourt diesel, so always do the math!.
Myth:- Biodiesel cannot be used in new cars
Biodiesel can be used in any car which has a diesel engine!. However cars which have diesel particulate filters (DPF) should only be used on lower blends of biodiesel. This is because the DPF additive which is injected by the fuel system reacts adversely with biodiesel.
However, if you car does not have a DPF (Most pre 2006 models) then you can use well made biodiesel in any diesel engine, including IDI, DI, TDI, HDI, CDI, TDCI models.
If you have a warranty on a car, then you are not advised to use biodiesel in quantities above those which the manufacturers may recommend. However this doesn’t mean that your car will not run on biodiesel, or that damage will result. It is just common sense, because should the dealer note that your car is full of biodiesel during routine servicing, then it may be noted, and used as an excuse to get out of any warranty work in the future, even the non related fuel claims!.
Myth:- Using Biodiesel has more risks than benefits
If you are going to put homemade or untested commercially produced biodiesel into your car, then you have to accept that there are going to be some risks!. However these risks are on a par as other non manufacturer approved actions, such as fitting non manufacturer approved parts, fitting a tuning chip or other aftermarket accessories.
The main risk, is of course assessing the quality of the biodiesel, and making sure that it is of the highest quality. Diesel owners have successfully run many thousands of miles without any problems on biodiesel.
I have found that the cost savings of using biodiesel, coupled with much smoother running, cleaner emissions and the satisfaction of using a waste product that would be otherwise clogging up a sewer as a useful fuel, far outweigh the small risk of any long term damage.
Myth:- Biodiesel causes more wear and tear on your engine
Biodiesel is actually BETTER at lubricating diesel fuel pumps and engine components. If you are still concerned then I recommend the addition of Millers Power Plus 4 which will increase the cetane rating of your biodiesel making it combust more efficiently and also lubricate and clean the fuel system. Biodiesel also creates less soot when it burns, and so this should decrease the amount of soot, and carbon gunk in emissions control system such as EGR Valves and intercoolers.
Myth:- Biodiesel is easy to source
Biodiesel is actually getting harder to find in my experience, and sadly you may need to travel a fair distance in order to find a reliable source, or pay over the odds to a local supplier, as competition is few and far between. Sadly part of the reason that biodiesel is so scarce, is the lack of financial incentive given to them by the Government!.
Did you know that despite being an environmentally friendly fuel, Biodiesel only gets a small rebate in duty!. In the UK all commercial suppliers pay 30p of duty and VAT on each litre of biodiesel they produce.
So from every litre of biodiesel that you buy – 30p + VAT goes to the government in some form of Tax! and in most cases the Government actually earn more per litre of biodiesel produced than the actual producer. Given this point, it is hardly surprising that there is little biodiesel industry in the UK, and many biodiesel suppliers going out of business all of the time. However Biodiesel availability in Europe and especially the United States seems to be gaining ground, and in most U.S states, biodiesel is generally available in variations from B5 (5% biodiesel content) to B20 (20% biodiesel content) and even B99 (99% biodiesel content)
Myth:- Biodiesel is easy to make
Biodiesel is quite straightforward to make, requires care and attention to detail!. There are also some cautions which the glossy biodiesel processor brochures may not get across!.
Firstly, biodiesel production requires the use and handling of some nasty, corrosive and poisonous chemicals. Methanol poisoning can blind, maim and in sufficent quantities, even KILL. Equally, Lye powder is very corrosive and can burn down to the bone if it makes contact with unprotected skin.
When handling these chemicals, it is vitally important that you wear protective clothing, chemical gloves and also a full face mask. Also work in a well ventilated area, away from children and pets. When you mix the Lye and Methanol together, extremely poisonous and flammable fumes are produced and ideally the mixing should be done outside, and take place in a sealed container. Despite some websites refering to it, I wouldn’t be making biodiesel in my kitchen!
When buying a biodiesel processor, it is advisable to buy one which has a top mounted vent, allowing a hose to be fed from the processor to the outside in order to vent the processor whilst the reaction takes place. Never use an electric drill to mix the Meth and lye together as the sparks from the drill brushes may ignite the explosive vapours.
About the Author
A wide variety of Biodiesel equipment and chemicals can be purchased from the many suppliers listed at http://www.make-biodiesel.co.uk ( UK Visitors) and also http://usa.biodieselreactor.org/ (U.S Visitors)
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BioDiesel
With the high cost of oil and gas, biodiesel has increasingly become a popular alternative to the fuel that is sold in gasoline stations that are available for consumption as rich energy sources. It is a non-petroleum-made diesel fuel, which incorporates a dumpy chain alkyl containing ethyl or methyl esters. They are made by trans-esterification of the vegetable oils like groundnut oil, mustard oil, and ghee.
Consider these great benefits-more savings for you and a cleaner and greener planet for every person alive on earth. This is the reason why a lot of people have become curious as to the content of biodiesel and how it is made. The good news is that we can in fact create biodiesel right in our very own homes.
The main ingredient in making biodiesel is vegetable oil-the very same kind of oil that we use in the kitchen for the food that we eat. This can be done with the use of a biodiesel processor. It converts vegetable oil into the fuel that will power a typical diesel engine.
Determine first if the diesel-powered engine that you have will be able to run on biodiesel. You can do this by checking out with the manufacturer of your engine. If your engine is compatible, that will be the time that you can buy your biodiesel processor. Do not worry if the manufacturer says that your engine is not compatible, as there may be other available options. There are some kits that are able to convert engines that show problems when biodiesel is burned. Seek the help of professionals in finding the kit that is fit for your engine. Another option to the right way in making biodiesel is to learn and ask advice from a person who has already has experience with the use of biodiesel.
The raw materials that are used in producing biodiesel are methanol and a certain vegetable product. Corn is actually one of the best vegetable oils commonly in producing biodiesel. Other vegetable products are soybeans and flaxseed. Mix vegetable oil with just a little bit of methanol. Place the mixture in an alkaline catalyst, say sodium hydroxide, which should just be 1% of the total mixture. Vegetable oils actually comprise triglycerides-compounds of glycerin that has three fatty acids. This whole process separates the glycerin molecule from its three fatty acids, which would eventually be replaced with three methanol molecules. The final product is 10% glycerin byproduct and 90% biodiesel. The process is called ester interchange.
The biodiesel processor that will be used for the above process is very small in size, and may either be purchased as a complete pre-made unit or one that you need to still set up. If you are setting up one of your own, take time out to understand all of the instructions and be aware of the precautionary measures in using the biodiesel processor so that untoward accidents when making your own biodiesel fuel.
To learn more about the many aspects related to biodiesel, and biodiesel from corn and how it is made, visit: http://www.biodieselfromcorn.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gloria_Smith
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