Have you ever imagined a pizza delivery van running on leftover vegetables or olive oil? Well, this isn’t any strange dream. Fossil fuels can now power vehicles, hot water, and home heating. But there is another option more clean and eco-friendly. It’s called biodiesel which is a sustainable energy that can be used in every place where diesel is used.
What is biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a fuel based on animal or vegetable fat and is completely identical to petroleum-based diesel. It may also be made from recycled grease used in restaurants. Feedstock consists of triglycerides that may be converted into fuel when it is mixed with alcohol, such as ethanol and methanol.
The procedure’s end result is molecules similar to ordinary diesel. This is why a little modification is required for biodiesel in diesel engines. It is an amazing substitute for fossil fuel and converts grease from wastewater treatment streams.
The major difference between regular diesel and biodiesel is that in the case of biodiesel, fuel is made from a renewable source. Therefore, it is non-toxic and results in reduced emissions. It gives a higher level of lubricity and no spill hazard. It can be easily biodegraded but results in the degradation of natural rubber.
How is biodiesel different?
It goes without saying that biodiesel is cleaner compared to diesel. As per the reports of CarTalk, a study conducted by the Department of Energy and Agriculture shows that biofuel brings down net carbon dioxide emissions by 78 per cent. But based on which feedstock is used in the process, sometimes the production of biodiesel becomes a bit complicated.
For instance, when biodiesel is derived from crops such as palm oil or soybeans, production leads to three major issues.
- In the first place, you have to plant crops not for consumption but for the production of bioenergy. This may pave the way for food shortage and higher crop prices.
- Next, for planting these crops, you need to have ample space. The immediate result is deforestation, where forest land is lost, resulting in more greenhouse gas release.
- Lastly, producers displace small farmers and indigenous people to allow these crops. From this viewpoint, the negative impact of burning and land clearing may be higher than the prospective benefits of using biodiesel produced from palm oil and soybeans.
But the production of biodiesel by another means is a great solution for another burning issue at hand, i.e., cooking oil. Sometimes, we wonder what to do with cooking oil after it is used. Sometimes, people throw it down the drain. When this happens, the oil accumulates bits of food and much stuff, which can result in greasy blockages. When used, cooking oil is further upcycled to produce sustainable energy like biodiesel.
What are the benefits of biodiesel?
The advantages of biodiesel as a viable alternative to ordinary diesel and petroleum. This is because it is completely renewable, biodegradable, and non-toxic. Some of the significant benefits of using biodiesel:
- Improved air quality
You will be surprised to know that even the lowest quality of biodiesel gives a lower carbon emission than natural gas. As a result, air quality isn’t compromised since biodiesel brings down the emissions of toxic air pollutants, including sulfur dioxide responsible for causing acid rain and even other harmful fine particles that may lead to asthma.
- Low-emission fuel
Biodiesel can boost the engine’s durability while reducing tailpipe emissions like carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, and suspended particulate matter from four-stroke and diesel engines. Moreover, biodiesel has a comparatively higher flash point at 150 degrees centigrade, along with less volatility, it is a safer option and can be easily transported.
- Lowered GHG emissions
A number of researches show that biodiesel is a form of renewable energy that gives off lesser carbon monoxide and particulate matter than regular diesel. Moreover, the combustion of biodiesel is known for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide by more than 80 per cent.
- Minimization of waste
Also, biodiesel can be produced locally, reducing dependence on foreign countries for fuel. Commercially available and domestically generated biodiesel is the standard norm rather than an exception. Diversion of waste from municipal solid waste and sewer systems can benefit the generation of biodiesel from waste elements like used cooking oil.
What are the different applications of biofuel?
Biodiesel is a form of sustainable energy with various applications, including transportation, oil spill cleaning, generators, and heating oil. Let’s take a look at these applications:
- Generator: When generators and backup power systems are backed by sustainable energy, it prevents pollution or results in the emission of harmful by-products.
- Heating oil: Biodiesel is a popular choice when it comes to heating fuel in commercial or domestic boilers. For a cost-effective and efficient shoreline cleanup, biodiesel is a great choice for dissolving crude oil and helps remove oil.
- Farm equipment: Biodiesel is gradually replacing petroleum diesel in various farm equipment engines without any negative impact on the range of diesel or payload capacity. Even the low blends of biodiesel, such as B5 or B2, give a fantastic lubricity resulting in minimal wear and tear.
- Transportation: Biodiesel has been successfully used in the railway industry without any negative impact. It is acceptable as diesel fuel additives; over time, biodiesel blends have gained wide acceptance among fleet operators and car manufacturers.
Green Future for Renewable Fuels
Biofuels such as biodiesel are a consequence of our constant search for sustainable and renewable fossil fuels to reduce climate change’s impact. Also, the inflating cost of petroleum diesel and depleting fossil fuel reserves have made it almost mandatory to find a more affordable and eco-friendly alternative fuel.
Biodiesel is a clean replacement for traditional fuel and is widely used in the purest available form or form of blends with ordinary diesel. With the demand for biodiesel growing across the globe, the production of biodiesel is likely to grow as well.
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