The Benefits of Biodiesel

Biodiesel is a domestically produced, clean-burning, renewable substitute for petroleum diesel. Using biodiesel as a vehicle fuel increases energy security, improves public health and the environment, and provides safety benefits.

Increasing Energy Security

The United States imports more than 60% of its petroleum, two-thirds of which is used to fuel vehicles in the form of gasoline and diesel. The demand for petroleum imports is increasing. With much of the worldwide petroleum reserves located in politically volatile countries, the United States is vulnerable to supply disruptions.

Biodiesel can be produced domestically and used in conventional diesel engines, directly substituting for or extending supplies of traditional petroleum diesel. (Remember to consult with your auto manufacturer and engine warranty statement before using biodiesel in your vehicle.) It also has an excellent energy balance: biodiesel contains 3.2 times the amount of energy it takes to produce it.

Protecting Public Health and the Environment

Compared with using petroleum diesel, using biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine substantially reduces emissions of unburned hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and particulate matter (PM). The reductions increase as the amount of biodiesel blended into diesel fuel increases. B100 provides the best emission reductions, but lower-level blends also provide benefits. B20 has been shown to reduce PM emissions 10%, CO 11%, and unburned HC 21% (see graph). Learn more about Biodiesel Emissions.

Average emission impacts of biodiesel for heavy-duty highway engines (Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, A Comprehensive Analysis of Biodiesel Impacts on Exhaust Emissions)

Using biodiesel also reduces greenhouse gas emissions because carbon dioxide released from biodiesel combustion is offset by the carbon dioxide sequestered while growing the soybeans or other feedstock. B100 use reduces carbon dioxide emissions by more than 75% compared with petroleum diesel. Using B20 reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 15%.

Providing Safety Benefits

Biodiesel is nontoxic, so it causes far less damage than petroleum diesel if spilled or otherwise released to the environment. It is also safer than petroleum diesel because it is less combustible. The flashpoint for biodiesel is higher than 150°C, compared with about 52°C for petroleum diesel. Biodiesel is safe to handle, store, and transport.

Similar Posts:

• Biodiesel Emissions
• What is Biodiesel?
• Low-Level Biodiesel Blends
• B20 and B100: Alternative Fuels
• Biodiesel as Fuel – An Alternative Fuel