Biodiesel is…
Biodiesel is a clean-burning, domestically-produced fuel, that can be used in any diesel engine with no conversions whatsoever. It is derived from 100% renewable resources like soybeans, canola and mustard seed. Biodiesel delivers equivalent or better engine performance while decreasing harmful emissions by nearly 80%. Grown domestically, it also provides regional farmers with an added revenue stream while decreasing America’s dependence on foreign oil.
From Farm to Fuel
Made primarily from virgin oils grown in the USA—biodiesel is better for the environment and both grown and refined domestically.
Biodiesel is powered by the sun. Farm-grown oil seed crops provide many products to global consumers including food products for humans and animals, glycerin for cosmetics, and oil for cooking. Biodiesel is one product of an agricultural crop’s output and can be used to create a clean-burning fuel from renewable resources.
Is it better for the environment than petrodiesel?
You bet. Biodiesel is the first and only alternative fuel to have a complete evaluation of emission results and potential health effects submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act. By using biodiesel, you’ll not only decrease your contribution to greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 80 percent, you’ll reduce particulate emissions and PAH air toxins (including benzene) that are hazardous to health.
Here’s how pure biodiesel (B100) and biodiesel blend (B20) compare to conventional petroleum diesel in keeping our air breathable:
Biodiesel Emissions(Shorter bars are better) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unburned Hydrocarbons |
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Carbon Monoxide |
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Particulate Matter |
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Sulfates |
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Ozone Potential of HC |
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NOx* |
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Baseline
80%
8% to 33%Information supplied by National Biodiesel Board.
* Biodiesel’s NOx emissions are the focus of current research, and NOx contributions to smog are being reconsidered by the scientific community. Based upon recently published results, former findings of NOx increases with biodiesel may not be accurate. The most recent research on the subject shows equal or decreased NOx emissions compared to diesel. For the most current findings on biodiesel NOx emissions see the August 2005 NREL Study.
Energy Balance: Is biodiesel more efficient than petrodiesel?
Biodiesel yields more energy than is used in its production: 320% more! This includes all the energy used to grow it, make it, transport it and distribute it.
More Power to Its Punch
The difference between how much energy is created when producing these top four fuel sources:
Fuel |
Energy IN |
Energy OUT(Longer bars are better) |
|---|---|---|
Biodiesel (soy bean) |
1.0 |
|
Ethanol |
1.0 |
|
Petro-diesel |
1.0 |
|
Gasoline |
1.0 |
|
Joint study by U.S. Dept of Energy (DOE) and U.S. Dept of Agriculture (USDA), 1998.
How do biodiesel-powered vehicles compare to others?
Here’s the difference in fossil fuel input required to drive various vehicles that are available today.
|
|
Toyota Prius on gasoline |
Jetta TDI on biodiesel |
Jetta TDI on petro- diesel |
Jetta 2.0L gas engine |
Toyota Fuel Cell vehicle (hydrogen) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fuel efficiency |
52/45 |
41/48.5 |
42/50 |
24/31 |
5.7 |
|
Fossil Fuel Energy Balance |
0.74 |
3.2 |
0.83 |
0.74 |
0.66 |
|
Total fossil energy input/mile (Thousand BTU/mile) |
3.4 |
0.89 |
3.7 |
6.0 |
2.4 |
Source: UNH Biodiesel Group
More About Biodiesel
Why is it so popular?
- Grown in the USA
- Benefits local economies
- Cleaner than petroleum
- Reduces emissions
- Runs in any diesel engine
Web Resources
- National Biodiesel Board
- National Renewable Energy Lab
- US Department of Energy
- Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition
Get a Pump Near You!
If biodiesel is not in your neighborhood, let us know!
Who's using biodiesel?
