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What are the environmental benefits? |
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Written by Administrator
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Wednesday, 07 September 2005 |
Many....
 Much lower emissions.
Biodiesel burns far cleaner than petro diesel, with about 7% increase
in combustion efficiency. Biodiesel’s exhaust emissions are free from
lead, sulphur dioxide and halogens. It also has reduced particulates,
unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Emissions
tests will vary depending on the vehicles and process used, as well the
source that the biodiesel was made from. Overall, significant reduction
in most emissions as well as the complete elimination of others can be
expected from biodiesel compared to petro diesel. There are also
significant emissions reductions compared to petrol combustion. Please
check the emissions article in our biodiesel information section for
more specific details.
 Completely renewable.
While petroleum fuels are refined from fossil oil taken from the
ground, which is a finite resource, biodiesel can come from organic
sources – a “grown fuel”. Not only does this make it renewable, it also
means that the CO2 it puts into the atmosphere when it burns in an engine is less than the CO2
that is absorbed by the plants growing in the process of making it. The complete life cycle of biodiesel production and
consumption (also called “cradle to grave”) has been measured to
actually absorb almost 3 times the amount of carbon dioxide it produces!
 Biodegradable and also an excellent cleaning agent.
Biodiesel is about as biodegradable as sugar. It will biodegrade about
98% in 3 weeks, about 4 times faster than petroleum diesel.
When petroleum products are spilled in our waters, they stretch out
along the surface, causing a giant blanket one molecule thick, which
basically suffocates, poisons and kills all life it touches.
Additionally wherever it hits land, it will wash up on beaches and
rocks, coating all life and killing it there too. It takes many years
and huge expensive resources to clean up disasters like these.
If biodiesel is poured on a petroleum oil spill, it binds to the oil,
clumping together, preventing the huge black puddle from stretching out
and aiding the process of cleanup. Additionally, it immediately begins
to biodegrade the oil, aiding the natural process while natural
organisms just “eat it up”. Petroleum spills cleaned up with biodiesel
are cleaned up properly and naturally.
Other FAQs
What is Biodiesel?
Can I use it in my engine?
What about performance and economy?
How is it made and where does it come from?
Is it a safe fuel?
How can I make it?
Where can I buy it?
Tax issues. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 26 September 2005 )
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