Benefits of Biodiesel

One of biodiesels greatest benefits is that it requires no change to the immediate market infrastructure namely, public transit (buses) and commercial transport (freight trucks).

Biodiesel can reduce our dependence on foreign oil, increasing domestic oil security and help to leverage our fossil fuel supplies. When made from animal fats, biodiesel emits 91% fewer greenhouse gases than petroleum diesel. Biodiesel can also help reduce public health risks associated with air pollution. Biodiesel is nontoxic, biodegradable, and free of sulfur and carcinogenic benzene. It is safe to handle, transport, and store, and has a higher flash point than petroleum diesel.

With no modifications or expensive retrofits, a diesel engine can operate on biodiesel or a blend of biodiesel and petrodiesel in any ratio from 1 - 100%. It can also be stored in diesel tanks and pumped with standard industry equipment. Biodiesel mixes readily with petroleum diesel at any blend level, making it a very flexible fuel additive. Biodiesel is an oxygenated fuel (11% oxygen by weight), so it contributes to a more complete fuel burn and a greatly improved emissions profile. The more biodiesel used in a blend, the higher the emission reductions.

Engine performance (torque and horsepower production) with biodiesel and biodiesel blends is virtually the same as with straight petroleum diesel. Even very low amounts of biodiesel can provide substantial lubricity benefits to premium diesel fuels.

Every gallon of biodiesel produced displaces 0.95 gallons of petroleum-based diesel over its life cycle. The BIOX Process is also very energy efficient. For every unit of fossil energy used to produce vegetable oil based biodiesel, 3.37 units of biodiesel energy are created. When made from waste animal fats, this number is closer to 7 units. Additionally, biodiesel reduces the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) being released into the atmosphere. It releases less CO2 than does conventional diesel, and the crops used to produce biodiesel absorb large amounts of CO2 as they grow. And because biodiesel is non-toxic and biodegradable, it is an excellent fuel for use in fragile environments such as estuaries, lakes, rivers, and national parks.

[Benefits of Biodiesel]