| BIODIESEL,
THE CLEANER ALTERNATIVE Overall, biodiesel offers a range of environmental benefits unrivalled by any other alternative transport fuel. It is sustainable and renewable with very positive energy balances. It is safely biodegradable, far better on greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels. It offers scope for re cycling waste oils, re cycles carbon (on combustion) and produces far less local air pollutants than fossil diesel. On balance, biodiesel also offers better environmental advantages than the road gas fuels LPG/CNG/ LNG. Biodiesel can be used (straight or as a blend) in place of fossil diesel without any modification in all modern diesel powered vehicles. |
| Estrol
BIODIESEL What is Biodiesel? Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. Biodiesel contains petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with no major modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics. Technically, biodiesel is vegetable methyl ester. Biodiesel is produced through the process of transesterification, which converts the vegetable oil molecule from a triglyceride ( a glycerin with three esters attached to it ) to a chain of esters with glycerin removed. Is biodiesel used as pure fuel or is it blended with petroleum diesel? Biodiesel can be used as a pure fuel or blended with petroleum in any percentage. B5 (a blend of 5% by volumes biodiesel with 95% by volume petroleum diesel) has demonstration significant environmental benefits with a minimum increase in cost for fleet operations and other consumers. Over its lifecycle, biodiesel emits 78% less CO2 than conventional diesel fuel. Biodiesel produces 43% les carbon monoxide ( CO ) and 55% fewer particulates than conventional diesel. These particulates that you see in the smoke of diesel exhaust are known to cause cardiac and respiratory problems. The technical Handbook for Biodiesel notes that this plant- based fuel has been shown to reduce mutagenicity ( the ability to cause cancer ) by as much as 90 %. If we want to find a fuel to decrease toxic emissions, we can hardly do better than using biodiesel. Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel that has passed the EPA’s Clean Air Act Tier II testing. Is it approved for use in the US? Biodiesel is registered as a fuel and fuel additive with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and meets clean diesel standards established by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Neat (100%) biodiesel has been designated as an alternative fuel by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the US Department of Transportation (DOT). Likewise, this is the thrust here in the Philippines. How do biodiesel emissions compare to petroleum diesel? Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act. The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine results in substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter compared to emissions from diesel fuel. In addition, the exhaust emissions of sulfur oxides and sulfates (major components of acid rain) from biodiesel are essentially eliminated compared to diesel. Of the major exhaust pollutants, both unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides are ozone or smog forming precursors. The use of biodiesel results in a substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons. Emissions of nitrogen oxides are either slightly reduced or slightly increased depending on the duty cycle of the engine and testing methods used. Based on engine testing, using the most stringent emissions testing protocols required by EPA for certification of fuel additives in the US, the overall ozone forming potential of the speciated hydrocarbon emissions from biodiesel was nearly 50 % less than that measured for diesel fuel. Biodiesel contains 11 % oxygen, which enables it to combust more thoroughly. ( There is no need for synthetic “ oxygenates “ like toxic MTBE since biofuel is already an oxygenated fuel. This cleaner combustion helps reduce pollutants. Does biodiesel cost more than other alternative fuels? When reviewing the high cost associated with other alternative fuel systems, many fleet managers have determined biodiesel is their least-strategy to comply with Clean Air Act regulations. Use of biodiesel does not require major engine modifications. That means operators keep their fleets, their spare parts inventories, their refueling stations and their skilled mechanics. The only thing that changes in air quality. Do I need special storage facilities? In general, the standard storage and handling procedures used for petroleum diesel can be used for biodiesel. The fuel should be stored in a clean, dry, dark environment. Acceptable storage tank materials include aluminum, steel, fluorinated polyethylene, fluorinated polypropylene and Teflon. Copper, brass, lead, tin, and zinc should be avoided. Can I use biodiesel in my existing diesel engine? Biodiesel can be operated in any diesel engine with little or no modification to the engine or fuel system. Biodiesel has a solvent effect that may release deposits accumulated on tank walls and pipes from previous diesel fuel storage. The release of deposits may clog filters initially and precautions should be taken. Two immediate effects are apparent when engines run on biodiesel. First, a decrease in engine vibration. Second, instead of spewing a sooty cloud, the tailpipe runs clean and emits an aroma of French fries. Where can I purchase biodiesel? Senbel Fine Chemicals thru its division, Fuels and Lubricants is now on its way in identifying the various market channels for the mass distribution of Biodiesel. It is highly projected that the marketplace will be biodiesel ready in two to three months time. At the moment purchase inquiries can be coursed thru Senbel Fuels and Lubricants division at Customer Service Hotlines: (02) 772- 4065 Who can answer my questions about biodiesel? FAQ’s, concerns, queries and follow ups can be coursed to our Hotline # 850-8097 or to our website: www.senbel.com.ph; or our email address: senbel@vasia.com.ph |
| THE
BIODIESEL FACTS • Emissions of CO from biodiesel are between 20% and 40% lower than from fossil diesel. • Emissions of SOX are between 80% and 99% lower than sulphur fossil diesel. • Emissions of PM from biodiesel are between 20% and 39% lower than low sulphur fossil diesel. • Emissions of NOX from biodiesel are comparable though possibly a few percent higher than low sulphur fossil diesel. These can further be reduced substantially by adjusting the timing of injection. |
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