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General information |
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- Biodiesel is an alternative fuel which can be made using a simple chemical process from waste vegetable oil. It can be used directly in any diesel engine, either neat or mixed in any ratio with petroleum diesel.
- It is a green fuel, does not contribute to the carbon dioxide (CO2) burden and produces drastically reduced engine emmisions. It is non-toxic and biodegradable.
- Biodiesel has a much higher lubricity than petroleum diesel and its use can prolong engine life...
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General information |
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Biodiesel process |
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Biodiesel chemistry |
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Biodiesel standards |
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Biodiesel & uk excise |
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ATEX |
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Key Advantages |
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- Renewable - vegetable oil derived |
- Dramatically reduced emissions |
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- Carbon Neutral |
- Biodegradable |
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- Non-toxic |
- Less noxious - fuel & exhaust emmisions |
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- Used directly in unmodified diesel engine |
- Biodegradable |
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- Higher Lubricity - can prolong engine life |
- High flashpoint - safer to store & transport |
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- Simple to make |
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- Used neat or blended in any ratio with petroleum diesel |
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Disadvantages |
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- Availability - very few outlets & manufacturers. Fuel giants have not explored / invested in emerging biofuel technology such as algal oil / biologically produced fuels
- Poorly made biodiesel of low quality can cause engine problems
- Producing biodiesel without proper equipment and safety precautions can be dangerous (Link to HSE publication regarding domestic production of biodiesel: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/biodiesel.htm)
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Green fuel |
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- Renewable - Biodiesel is derived from vegetable oil which is essentially grown - a sustainable resource that will not run out. Petroleum diesel is derived from crude oil, which is finite and will eventually run out.
- Carbon Neutral - Biodiesel use does not lead to any overall change in the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. The vegetables from which the oil has been extracted remove CO2 from the atmosphere to grow. When biodiesel is burned the CO2 is released back into atmosphere.
- Less noxious, non-toxic - Biodiesel lacks the unpleasant odour of petroleum diesel and exhaust emissions smell like a barbecue! Users can expect a near 100% reduction in Sulphur dioxide (SO2), 40-60% reduction in soot & particulates, 10-50% reduction in Carbon monoxide, and a reduction in all Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons PAHs - Phenanthren -97%, Benzofluoroanthen -56%, Benzapyren -71%, Aldehydes & Aromatics -13%.
- Unlike petroleum diesel, it is biodegradable.
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Other advantages |
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- Simple to make, and can be produced from waste vegetable oil.
- Classed as non-hazardous because it is non-toxic and has a high flash-point.
- Burns more efficiently than petroleum diesel.
- Substantially higher lubricity means it can reduce engine wear and hence prolong engine life.
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