Biodiesel is a fuel that is produced from vegetable oils, animal fats and recycled restaurant greases. It is comparatively safer using biodiesel as it is biodegradable and thus reduces the pollutants in the air. By using biodiesel as an alternative fuel, the air pollutants like particulates, hydrocarbons, air toxics and carbon monoxide is reduced considerably.
Biodiesel can be used on its own, or combined with other fuels. Most of the vehicles run on a mixture of fuel and biodiesel. However, it is better to consult the OEM and engine warranty statement to verify using biodiesel in the vehicle. And when using pure biodiesel, some cars may need engine modifications so that there will not be too much of maintenance and performance problems needed for the car. However, biodiesel will not be suited to be used in cars, such as during wintertime.
Biodiesel is a great alternative fuel as not much of biodiesel is required to run a car. Moreover, there is no need of special pumps or any high pressure equipment for fueling purposes. Biodiesel can be used in conventional diesel engines so there is no need of buying special vehicles or engines to use biodiesel.
Another reason for using pure biodiesel as an alternative fuel is that it emits more than 75% less of carbon dioxide than petroleum diesel. A mixture of 20% biodiesel and petroleum fuel leads to a decrease of 15% of carbon dioxide. Moreover, biodiesel is a fuel that produces fewer pollutants like carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide.
By using biodiesel, the country’s dependence on imported oil is reduced greatly. Moreover, biodiesel is much safer oil, with a flash point greater than 150% when compared to 77% of petroleum. So biodiesel is safe to handle, store and transport. And lastly, biodiesel is a fuel that can be produced at home using certain oilseed crops like coconut, sunflower, canola and any other oil producing crop. Oil is extracted from these crops using a press to be mixed with other agents to cause a chemical reaction. This chemical reaction produces two products; soap and biodiesel. This biodiesel is used as an alternative fuel while the glycerin soap is used as it is or with scented oils.
