What is Biodiesel?

Current Research

Research is still be conducted in an attempt to find more suitable crops and improve oil yields. Using the current yields, vast amounts of land and fresh water would be needed to produce enough oil to completely replace fossil fuel usage. It would require twice the land area of the US to be devoted >>Read More

History of Biodiesel

Transesterification of a vegetable oil was conducted as early as 1853 by scientists E. Duffy and J. Patrick. This was many years before the first diesel engine was functional. Rudolf Diesel's prime model, a single 10 ft (3 m) iron cylinder with a flywheel at its base, ran on its own power for the fi >>Read More

Applications of Biodiesel

Biodiesel for Vehicles

Biodiesel fuel has been road tested and can reach up to twenty-five miles to the gallon. This result is better than some conventional mileage ratings. Many car manufacturers are realizing that biodiesel automobiles are gaining popularity, and in response are developing their own version of a biodie >>Read More

Production of Biodiesel

Chemically, transesterified biodiesel comprises a mix of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids. The most common form uses methanol to produce methyl esters as it is the cheapest alcohol available, though ethanol can be used to produce an ethyl ester biodiesel, and higher alcohols such as isopr >>Read More

Biodiesel and the Environment

Environmental Concerns

The locations where oil-producing plants are grown is of increasing concern to environmentalists. The main concern is that countries will start clearing large areas of tropical forest in order to grow crops such as oil palm. This has already occurred in the Philippines and Indonesia. Both countries >>Read More

Efficiency and Fuel Economy

According to a study written by Drs. Van Dyne and Raymer for the Tennessee Valley Authority, the average US farm consumes fuel at the rate of 82 liters per hectare (8.75 US gallons per acre) of land to produce one crop. Average crops of rapeseed produce oil at an average rate of 1,029 L/ha (110 US g >>Read More

About This Site

The information provided on this website is current as of February 2007. Although it is true to the best of our knowledge, we bear no responsibility for negative effects resulting from the use or misuse of this information.