The Biodiesel: Fuel of the Future
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Written by Hispanic
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Monday, 25 August 2008 |
Biodiesel Fuel of the Future
Biodiesel is considered the fuel of the future because it is clean and
helps lessen global warming. Biodiesel is produced from domestic,
renewable resources like animal fats and vegetable oils. It can be used
alone or blended with petroleum at any level.
Compression-ignition diesel engines can use biodiesel with little or no
modifications at all. Scientific evidence shows that biodiesel reduces
net carbon dioxide emissions by 78 percent compared to diesel.
Most biodiesel manufacturing facilities make the fuel through a process
called transesterification. Sources of the fuel contain fat. In the
transesterification process, the fat is purified and reacts with
alcohol through catalysts such as sodium hydroxide or potassium
hydroxide. The fats are then transformed into glycerol and esters.
Biodiesel is what remains after the transisterification process. The
fuel be derived from the plant oils of palm, sunflower, peanut, soybean
or canola.
Most cars that run on diesel engines can use biodiesel. Car
manufacturers have lists of cars that can run on pure biodiesel. One
amazing thing about the fuel is that it acts as a solvent or cleaner.
It loosens deposits that could clog the engine. Because of this, it
lubricates the engine and makes it run smoother. The result is that the
engine actually lasts longer because the fuel leaves few or no deposits
at all.
Biodiesel is a renewable and biodegradable fuel. It helps lessen global
warming because it has a closed carbon cycle. Biodiesel itself is made
from carbon dioxide through photosynthesis in plants. When the carbon
dioxide from the fuel is released into the atmosphere, it is easily
recycled by plants, which are then later processed again into fuel.
Even with its advantages over petroleum diesel, biodiesel does have a
few disadvantages. It has a tendency to produce more nitrogen oxide
emissions than diesel, which contributes to smog formation. Another
disadvantage is its availability. More promotion and expansion is
needed. Despite these problems and some others, biodiesel is still the
fuel of choice for environmentalists and people who want to help fight
global warming. And with the last two decades of the last century being
the hottest in 400 years, we may see a lot more of biodiesel soon.
Authors Bio:
I have read that Biodiesel is considered the fuel of the future because it is clean and helps lessen global warming.
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