From The Workbench - Alternative + Renewable Energy Blog Valuable information for do-it-yourselfers interested in the latest in alternative + renewable energy

Let’s be honest with ourselves for a moment and finally admit that when it comes to the world of alternative energy fuels, we don’t know half as much as we probably should.  There is no shame in admitting it, I’ll be the first to say that I could probably use a primer, an update course on the in’s and out’s of biodiesel.  Given the fact that the landscape of the biodiesel world is ever changing, I think it’s wise we all freshen up.

Good news, I found just the refresher course, from a very awesome source.  So, without further ado on this fine Wednesday, check out 25 things you need to know about biodiesel.  Numbers 1-19 are all the things that are RIGHT about them, while 20-25 are all the other sides of that coin.  It’s always good to play devil’s advocate, right?  As always, head over and check out the full article for more details:

1. “Biodiesels are more available than you may realize
   A lot of people resist the idea of a biofuels simply out of fear of not being able to find any in their area. Well take a look around, you might be very surprised how common biofuel is. Two great maps to search for alternative fuels are Mapmuse and Mapquest.
2. Biodiesel is environmentally friendly
   Biodiesel contains a gentle formula which does not cause near as much harm to the environment as conventional diesel fuel does.
3. Biodiesel can help reduce dependency on foreign oil
   Folks are always wondering how to reduce their dependency on foreign oil, but until the electric vehicle becomes widespread, our options are very slim. Some of the most popular options include walking and biking, but if you need to drive, biodiesel is an effective way to get away from the foreign oil market without changing your lifestyle drastically.
4. Biodiesel helps lubricate the engine by reducing wear
   Biodiesel with its high concentrations of vegetable oil, enables the moving metal mechanical parts in the engine to be constantly bathed in lubrication. This essentially slows the process of diesel engine wear and its eventual failure. Discovery’s How stuff Works estimates that biodiesel in concentrations of no more than 1 percent are able to increase fuel lubricity by as much as 65 percent.
5. Biodiesel cleans the engine
   Biofuels are a much more effective solvent than conventional diesel fuel. They help to loosen deposits inside the engine which could potentially cause clogs. This results in a better running engine in less need of major mechanical maintenance. But for this very reason you will need to change your fuel filter on a regular basis, but we will get to that in fact #20.
6. Biodiesel increases engine life
   Since pure biodiesel leaves no deposits of its own, it actual is able to increase the typical diesel engine’s life substantially.
7. Biodiesel can be used in almost any diesel with little or no engine modification
   A common misconception is that engine modification is needed in order to use biodiesel. Pretty much any diesel engine can burn biodiesel, especially vehicles post-1992. Check with your manufacturer to see their specific recommendations for using these blends. The only caveat is if you are looking into using either waste vegetable oil (WVO) or straight vegetable oil (SVO), you may need a retrofit kit, such as the one discussed in fact #22.
8. Biodiesel is non-toxic
   The basic ingredients of most biodiesels are rather simple. It is fundamentally methanol, sodium hydroxide, and any vegetable oil. It has been said that biodiesel is often 10 times less toxic than regular table salt.
9. Biodiesel does not effect most new vehicle warranties in the US
   It is common myth that using biodiesel in your vehicle will void its warranty. This is just not true for many US made vehicles. This should be one of your first requirements when shopping for a new diesel vehicle.
10. Biodiesel has a higher flashpoint than conventional diesel fuel
    What does this mean to you? Well, it means that if you have a tank of this in a wrecked vehicle, or even in the back seat for an emergency, it is much less likely to accidentally catch fire. It takes more heat for biodiesel to ignite than conventional diesel. This allows for both the commercial and personal transportation and storage of biodiesel to be much safer for all parties involved.
11. Biofuel not only reduces pollution, but can help clean it
    It’s a good idea to know where your biofuel is coming from, as its different sources offers different benefits. Soybean based biofuel crops actually help clean the Earth’s atmosphere of excess carbon.
12. Biofuels can reduce a lot of waste
    Biofuel based on a waste products, such as sawdust, make a great way to use such a fundamentally useless bi-product that would otherwise end up in a landfill somewhere. Sawdust biofuel burns very clean too.
13. Biofuels crops may one day be set-up in landfills
    Rotting material in the landfills creates a liquid called, leachate, which can seep into ground water if not properly processed and cleaned up. Waste Recycling Group has proposed using this leachate as food for algae which would be grown on-site at local landfills. The leachate would then eventually turn to fertilizer, which could then be use to grow willow coppice’s (mostly used in the UK), which can be used for biofuel.
14. Biodiesel is more biodegradable than conventional diesel
    Biodiesel which has bacteria introduced to it can decompose in a manner that is four times faster than conventional diesel. This means that in the event of a tanker spill, its clean-up would be much less devastating to the surrounding water, wildlife, fish, and plants.
15. Biofuels do not always involve food crops
    Biofuels in general get a bad rap for having to use food crops as their source, such as soybeans, corn, sugar cane, etc. However there is a third generation of biodiesels in development today that will allow algae to be used instead.
16. You actually have a say in your biofuel
    The greenest way to contribute to better biofuels is to get active in groups which are lobbying to elected officials to increase funding for viable biodiesel. If you don’t like the source of your fuel in your area, the only way to make a change is to voice your opinion and make sure that you are heard.
17. Brewing your own biodiesel is as easy as 1…2…3…
    Okay, perhaps it is more like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7…but each of these steps are not particularly difficult by any means. The first step involves filtering the oil (if using a waste oil). Second step involves heating oil to remove any water (optional). Third, perform a titration test to determine amount of catalyst needed for the mix. Fourth, is to prepare the sodium methoxide. Fifth, allow mixture to settle and remove glycerin (make some soap with it while you’re at it, fact #18). Then the Sixth step involves washing and drying your batch, until you are ready for the final step, which is testing for quality. There is also the Willie Nelson blend of biofuel that can easily be accomplished with a blender in about 20 minutes.
18. A free bonus that comes with brewing your own biodiesel, is a lifetime supply of soap
    Glycerin is the bi-product formed during the process of making biodiesel. If you make enough batches of biofuel, you will probably find that you will have enough glycerin left over to never have to buy another bar of soap again. You can make high-lathering smelly foo foo soap, thick burly workshop soap, or just plain and simple, clean, natural soap. Its all in how you mix the ingredients together.
19. Another added bonus for those of you who fry your turkey for Thanksgiving and Christmas
    Your deep fried Christmas and Thanksgiving turkey may pay for itself if you use the leftover grease to power your diesel.
20. First generation biodiesels may increase poverty by raising food prices
    This is a common case brought against biofuels which are derived from such food crops as soybeans or corn. The belief is that one day, especially in developing nations, the crops that are currently being sold for human and animal consumption, would be sold for biofuel production. This could subsequently cause a food shortage, which could also drive the price of food up substantially.
21. Change fuel filters more often
    Since the composition of biodiesel is partially a solvent, some vehicles may experience substantial clogging in their fuel filters due to the dislodged particles that will accumulate. What happens is the biofuel essentially cleans the path that the old fuel has traveled, essentially leaving fragments in the fuel line that can lead to a blockage or malfunctioning fuel pump. Diesel vehicles prior to 1992 are especially prone to this. The best way to combat this problem is to check with your manufacturer on their recommended biofuel blend. Then make sure that you change the fuel pump and fuel filters shortly after switching to a high-concentration of biodiesel.
22. Biodiesel has been known to breakdown rubber components in engine as well as cause other mechanical failures
    This refers to a diesel vehicles fuel lines and fuel pump seals in older vehicles mostly. This is where a retrofit kit, such as a Greasecar system may come in handy, especially when using SVO.
23. In some engines, there can be a slight decrease in fuel economy and/or power
    On average, when switching to a biofuel blend you should expect about a 10 percent reduction in available power. It has been said that approximately 1.1 gallons of biodiesel equals 1 gallon of conventional diesel, which should give you an idea of how little your fuel economy will be effected in the long run.
24. Blends of 5% biodiesel and over may not flow properly during the cold winter months
    Without a heated fuel line, biodiesel may not flow well enough to reach the engine’s combustion chamber. This is why most retrofit kits designed for high concentration blends will include a heated fuel line, such as the one mentioned in fact #22.
25. The recommended shelf life of biodiesel is only 6 months
    Conventional diesel is about six months as well, but when you are manufacturing this stuff yourself in advance, you certainly don’t want to waste any due to it being out of date.”