|
Biodiesel is a
clean burning alternative fuel, produced
from domestic, renewable resources such as
plant oils, animal fats, used cooking oil
and even new sources such as algae.
Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it
can be blended at any level with petroleum
diesel to create a biodiesel blend.
Biodiesel can be used in
compression-ignition (diesel) engines with
little or no modifications, depending on
the type of engine and manufacturer. This
fuel is simple to use, biodegradable,
nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur
and aromatics.
There is an
important difference between Biodiesel and
raw Plant Oil (vegetable oil). In order to
be used as fuel-grade diesel, biodiesel
must be produced to strict industry
specifications (ASTM D6751) in order to
ensure proper performance. Biodiesel that
meets ASTM D6751 and is legally registered
with the Environmental Protection Agency
is a legal motor fuel for sale and
distribution. Raw plant or vegetable oil
can only be used in engines that are
specifically designed for that purpose.
CENERGY® is providing cogeneration power
plants for both types of diesel (biodiesel
made according to ASTM D6751 and also for
raw plant oil / vegetable oil fuel). We
also provide complete biodiesel production
plants (containerized refineries).
Biodiesel is also not the same as ethanol.
Ethanol is a renewable biofuel made
primarily from corn and intended for use
in
gasoline-powered
engines, while
biodiesel and plant oil are renewable
biofuels made from a variety of materials
and designed for use in
diesel
engines, with
different properties and benefits.
|
 |
Biodiesel
is one of the most thoroughly
tested alternative fuels on the
market. A number of independent
studies – performed by the U.S.
Department of Energy, National
Renewable Energy Lab, U.S.
Department of Agriculture,
Stanadyne Corp. (the largest
diesel fuel injection equipment
manufacturer in the U.S.),
Lovelace Respiratory Research
Institute, and Southwest Research
Institute – have shown that
biodiesel performs comparably to
petroleum diesel but with greater
benefits to the environment and
human health.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
The
biodiesel industry has been active
in setting quality standards. ASTM
specs exist for biodiesel fuel
blends and for pure B100 (D6751).
These strictly performance-based ASTM
specifications apply regardless of
the feedstock materials used to
make the fuel. Copies of
specifications are available from
ASTM at
www.astm.org
Biodiesel reduces lifecycle
carbon emissions by 60 to 80
percent, depending on the source,
making it the best carbon
reduction tool of any liquid fuel
commercially available.
|
|
|
|
