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Can
I use biodiesel in my existing diesel engine?
Biodiesel can be operated in any diesel engine with little or no modification
to the engine or the fuel system. Biodiesel has a solvent effect that
may release deposits accumulated on tank walls and pipes from previous
diesel fuel storage. The release of deposits may clog filters initially
and precautions should be taken. Ensure that only fuel meeting the biodiesel
specification is used.
Biodiesel
operates in conventional engines.
Just like petroleum diesel, biodiesel operates in combustion-ignition
engines. Essentially no engine modifications are required, and biodiesel
maintains the payload capacity and range of diesel. Pure biodiesel is
not compatible with natural rubber, sometimes found in pre-1994 vehicles.
Because it is a so lvent, it can degrade natural rubber hoses and gaskets.
This is not a problem with B20 blends (20 percent biodiesel/80 percent
diesel) and below.
Biodiesel does not require special storage.
In fact, in its pure form or in blends, biodiesel can be stored wherever
petroleum diesel is stored, except in concrete-lined tanks. It handles
like diesel and uses the same infrastructure for transport, storage and
use. At higher blend levels, biodiesel may deteriorate natural rubber
or polyurethane foam materials.
Biodiesel
exhaust is less offensive.
The use of biodiesel and biodiesel blends results in a noticeable, less
offensive change in exhaust odor, which can be a real benefit in confined
spaces. In fact, equipment operators have compared it to the smell of
French fries. Users also report having no eye irritation. Since biodiesel
is oxygenated, diesel engines have more complete combustion with biodiesel
than with petroleum.
Biodiesel
is safer to use than petroleum diesel.
The flash point (the point at which fuel ignites) for biodiesel in its
pure form is more than 300 degrees versus about 125 degrees Fahrenheit
for regular No. 2 diesel. This makes biodiesel the safest fuel to use,
handle and store.
Biodiesel
reduces emissions significantly.
Biodiesel is the first alternative fuel to have fully completed the Health
Effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act. The use of biodiesel
in a conventional diesel engine results in substantial reduction of unburned
hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter.
Emissions
of nitrogen oxides are either slightly reduced or slightly increased depending
on the duty cycle and testing methods. The use of biodiesel decreases
the solid carbon fraction of particulate matter (since the oxygen in biodiesel
enables more complete combustion to CO2), eliminates the sulfate fraction
(as there is no sulfur in the fuel), while the soluble, or hydrocarbon,
fraction stays the same or is increased. Biodiesel works well with new
technologies such as catalysts, particulate traps, and exhaust gas recirculation.
Soy biodiesel reduces carbon dioxide by 78% on a life cycle basis.
Biodiesel improves domestic energy security.
By using domestically produced, renewable fuels like biodiesel, the United
States can reduce dependence on foreign countries for oil. Biodiesel has
the highest energy balance of any fuel, further increasing its value in
our energy portfolio. Every unit of fossil fuel it takes to make biodiesel
results in 3.2 units of energy gain. Since petroleum diesel has a negative
energy balance of .88, every gallon of biodiesel used has the potential
to extend our petroleum reserves by four
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