BIODIESELS

1. BIODIESELS By PhuThanh, Tracey, Christiana and Jessica

2. What is a biodiesel? • Biodiesels are a mix of esters produced by a chemical reaction between vegetable oil and an alcohol such as methanol. • The Term 'biodiesel' refers to the methyl (or ethyl) ester of fatty acids obtained by a process of esterification of new and used fats and oils. Through the chemical process of transesterification, the triglycerides in the fat or oil are converted to the methyl esters from the fatty acids. • Biodiesels are made from vegetable oils such as canola oil, animal fats(tallow) or recycled greases such as used cooking oil.

3. PRODUCTION OF A BIODIESEL

4. USE OF BIODIESELS • Biodiesel made to specification can be used in existing, unmodified engines and fuel injection equipment with little impact on operating performance, supplying the same horsepower, torque, fuel consumption and haulage rates. • The use of biodiesel blended fuels can significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, over a full lifecycle analysis from production through to use in the vehicle

5. Biodiesel life cycle

6. Advantages of biodiesels • Produces fewer pollutants • Acts as a better solvent for any contamination • Renewable - vegetable oil derived fuel • Potential for Carbon Neutral lifecycle • Simple to make • Non-toxic • Biodiesel is free from sulphur emission (< 0,001 %) • The only alternative fuel that does not require engine modification or retuning • Safer for storage and handling than petroleum diesel • Can be used neat or blended in any ratio with petroleum diesel • Biodegradable • Higher Lubricity - can prolong engine life • Dramatically reduced emissions • High flashpoint

7. Why use biodiesels? • Carbon neutral • Significantly lower emissions • Tax/excise benefits for certain customers • Extend engine life – Biodiesel has been proven to work efficiently with new technologies such as catalysts, particulate traps and exhaust gas recirculation • Pricing – Pricing is the same as regular low sulphur diesel • Easy to use – Biodiesel is totally miscible (forming a homogeneous mixture when added together) with diesel at any blending ratio • Flexible – Biodiesel is non-toxic and degrades approximately four times faster than diesel • Social benefits – Biodiesel replaces imported fuel with local produced product, leading to local employment, benefiting the domestic economy

8. PROBLEMS WITH BIODIESELS • Engine wear • Biodiesel is a better lubricant in comparison to petroleum diesel due to the presence of esters. However over a period of time (2-4 years), studies have shown that biodiesel loses it lubricity. • Fuel Viscosity • Biodiesel viscosity remains higher than diesel, and the engine may not be able to use the fuel at low temperatures. • Engine performance

9. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION • Biodiesel shares the same storage and handling procedures as petroleum diesel and functions in the engine in the same way. Although by running conventional diesel engines using biodiesel, toxic emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and particulate matters are considerably reduced. • In a blend the number following the “B” indicates the percentage of biodiesel, for example B20 is 20% biodiesel blended with petroleum diesel, B5 is 5% biodiesel blended with petroleum diesel. • Biodiesel has better lubrication properties than petroleum diesel so biodiesel is an effective lubricity addictive. With the use of ultra low sulphur diesel biodiesel can be an effective fuel addictive in preventing engine wear associated with lower sulphur mineral diesel fuels.