What is biodiesel?

Biodiesel refers to a diesel-equivalent, processed fuel derived from biological sources (such as vegetable oils). Pure biodiesel (B100) can be used in any petroleum diesel engine, although it is more commonly used in lower concentrations. Unlike straight vegetable oils (SVO) or waste vegetable oils (WVO) fuels—which are used in some modified diesel vehicles—biodiesel can be used in unmodified diesel engines.

A variety of oils can be used to produce biodiesel (soybean oil alone accounts for about 90 percent). Crops like mustard, flax, sunflower, canola, palm oil, hemp, jatropha, and even algae are growing in use. Waste vegetable oil (WVO), animal fat and thermal depolymerization, a new process that reduces hydrocarbon-based feedstock into light crude oil, is also gaining momentum.

Biodiesel efficiency

A 1998 joint study by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Agriculture (USDA) calculated the various costs in the production of biodiesel and determined it yields 3.2 units of energy for every one unit of fossil fuel energy consumed. Due to the higher energy density of biodiesel, combined with the higher efficiency of the diesel engine, a gallon of biodiesel produces the effective energy of 2.25 gallons of ethanol. Also, higher oil yielding crops (1998 study used soybean oil) could increase the energy yield of biodiesel.

Environmental benefits compared to petroleum-based fuels

• Biodiesel reduces emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) by approximately 50 percent and carbon dioxide by 78 percent (Sheehan, 1998)
• Biodiesel contains fewer aromatic hydrocarbons: benzofluoranthene: 56 percent reduction; Benzopyrenes: 71 percent reduction.
• Biodiesel can reduce by as much as 20 percent the direct (tailpipe) emission of particulates, small particles of solid combustion products, on vehicles with particulate filters.
• Biodiesel is biodegradable and non-toxic - the U.S. Department of Energy confirms that biodiesel is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as quickly as sugar.

Note: Since biodiesel is more often used in a blend with petroleum diesel, there are fewer formal studies about the effects on pure biodiesel in unmodified engines and vehicles in day-to-day use.

Controversy

Waste vegetable oil may be the best source of biodiesel, however, the available supply is drastically less than the amount of petroleum-based fuel that is needed. Worldwide production of vegetable oil and animal fat is not yet sufficient to replace liquid fossil fuel use, would require vast amount of farming and over-fertilization, pesticide use, and land.

Where can I find biodiesel

There are currently 155 distributors and 49 retail sites for blended bio-diesel in the state of Ohio. The U.S. department of Energy has detailed maps of alternative fuel stations around the country.

Biodiesel funding/grants

Ohio Department of Development - The Alternative Fuel Transportation (AFT) Grant Program

Federal tax credits - Beginning in tax year 2006, consumers will be able to itemize purchases on their federal income tax form, which will lower the total amount of tax they owe the government.