The 2007 National Biodiesel Conference was in San Antonio, Texas. Conference-goers learned the latest in the world of biodiesel, from emissions legislation to fuel hose compatibility and even fuel color. Larry Hagman (J.R., from Dallas) showed up as a recent convert/enthusiast. Volkswagen and Chrysler talked about sending more vehicles off the production line with a blend of biodiesel in them – the new Dodge Ram diesel comes off the line with a B5 (5 percent biodiesel) and is approved for up to B20.
To keep up with the new news, it might be time for a biodiesel primer. You likely already know that biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative diesel fuel produced from domestic, renewable resources. You know it can be made from used cooking oil, that its emissions are far superior to diesel #2 (the normal stuff), and that Daryl Hannah smokes it and Willie Nelson advocates it (or something like that). But here are the top 10 things to really bring you up to speed on the details.
1) Biodiesel is not ‘Veggie Oil’
Just as hemp is not pot, yet there is considerable confusion about this. I’ve heard Willie and Daryl and others call biodiesel ‘veggie oil.’ You should know better than to trust prominent, even well-intentioned individuals to accurately use terminology. Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) can indeed be used in any diesel engine but you first need to install an auxiliary fuel modification system that provides a heated fuel tank to thin the oil for easier combustion, a parallel fuel system, and a driver-operated switch to warm up and then shut down the system on diesel or biodiesel. With SVO, you convert your car. With biodiesel, only the fuel has been converted. You typically don’t need to do anything to your diesel automobile unless it’s pre ‘93.
2) Biodiesel works in any diesel engine
You may have heard but still doubted. Any diesel. However, over time, on older diesels, biodiesel degrades nitrile rubber fuel lines. (You’d see this happening if you just lift up your hood now and then.) Replace them with Viton, Teflon, or nylon6/6 fluoroelastomer fuel hoses.
3) Biodiesel works in cold weather
Some B20 blends work to -20 degrees Fahrenheit as long as the fuel meets ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) specifications. However, blends over B20 are likely to gel during wintertime, especially in the cold Sierras. But between April and October in the Sierras, pure biodiesel (B100) works fine. (My business, Truckee Biofuels, sells B20, which works to -9 F, and we offer B100 from April to October).
4) Biodiesel can’t explode
You can put a match out in pure biodiesel (B100), which has a flashpoint of about 275 F. Diesel #2 has a flashpoint of about 175 F.
5) Biodiesel is not an officially registered motor fuel in California
Yep. California defines it as a ‘developmental fuel.’ The state Dept. of Agriculture requires sellers of biodiesel blends above B20 to collect vehicle and engine model information from customers. California’s Air Resources Board is presently working on changing this.
6) The world’s largest biodiesel user is the U.S. military
7) Algae could make more oil for biodiesel than any traditional crop
Algae yields up to 31 times as much oil as soybeans, from which most biodiesel in the US is currently made. In fact, algae-produced oil could replace all petroleum transportation fuel in the US if grown on about 15,000 square miles, or roughly 12.5 percent of the area of the Sonora desert.
8) The Biodiesel Industry will add more than $15.6 billion (2005 dollars) to the U.S. GDP between 2006 and 2015
Biodiesel producers will spend $810 million (2005 dollars) by 2015 on existing and new facilities. It is estimated the percentage of diesels in the U.S. will jump from the current 3.2 percent to 10 percent by 2015.
9) Biodiesel is an effective, safe herbicide and can also power heaters
Pure biodiesel (B100) completely biodegrades in about 30 days. Spray it on weeds. Add a 5 percent to 30 percent biodiesel to your kerosene or diesel-powered forced air or radiant heater. Flash hot water heater tests with B100 are ongoing.
10) Biodiesel is looking to break the world record
Earthrace is a boat seeking to break the world record for powerboat global circumnavigating – using pure biodiesel. Captain Pete Bethune aims to do it in 65 days (previous record in 1998 was 75 days). The voyage began this March 6 in the Bahamas; see earthrace.net.
~ Ronnie Colby enjoys biodiesel for breakfast and sells ASTM certified biodiesel for Truckee, Lake Tahoe, and beyond. Contact Truckee Biofuels at 530-412-2617.
