It may sound like something out of a sci-fi tale of space trucking, but what is biodiesel fuel, exactly? The answer is very much grounded in how we live, work, and even eat here on planet Earth.
Biodiesel fuel is a renewable, biodegradable alternative to traditional diesel fuel. It's made from common biological items and waste products like animal fats, vegetable oils, and recycled grease from restaurants. Biodiesel fuel burns more cleanly than traditional fossil fuels, which can help reduce the greenhouse effect that's currently heating up our planet.
There's an urgent push surrounding alternative energy sources, and the deluge of information can be overwhelming. So what are the biodiesel fuel pros and cons? Is anyone currently using it as a regular energy source? How environmentally safe and sustainable is biodiesel fuel?
How is biodiesel fuel made?
Biodiesel is converted from a mess of grease and oil waste into usable fuel through a process called "transesterification." Transesterification is a chemical process that turns food waste into esters. An "ester" is a member of a class of organic compounds that react with water to produce alcohols and acids.
Transesterification works by combining the waste with an alcohol like ethanol or methanol in the presence of a catalyst. This catalyst is usually an alkali like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH). The subsequent reaction produces glycerol and an ester called biodiesel.
The biodiesel is blended with regular diesel, and the resulting fuel is labeled according to its biodiesel percentage. For example, a "B2" blend is 2% pure biodiesel and 98% normal petroleum diesel. A "B10" blend is 10% pure biodiesel and 90% petroleum diesel.
According to Natural Resources Canada, "the majority of North American engine manufacturers now endorse up to a B5 biodiesel blend." Some vehicle manufacturers' warranties cover blends that are up to 20% pure biodiesel. That number will likely keep increasing as biodiesel undergoes more testing and usage.
How is biodiesel fuel being used?
Biodiesel is currently the United States' third most popular biofuel. Most biodiesel that's processed goes on to power diesel engines for cars, trucks, buses, and farming vehicles.
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is an alternative jet fuel that blends biodiesel with regular petroleum-based jet fuel. The steady increase in biodiesel demand, production, and consumption indicates we’re likely to see many more applications over time.
What are some benefits of biodiesel fuel?
When considering biodiesel as an alternative fuel, it’s important to look at how it affects greenhouse gases both in its creation and as an alternative to standard diesel.
Biodiesel fuel can reduce the greenhouse gases that drive climate change
Renewable Industries Canada states that "biodiesel can reduce GHG emissions by as much as 122% compared to petroleum diesel." Carbon dioxide (CO2), which is produced by traditional fossil fuels, is a huge contributor to greenhouse gases. These gases add to the greenhouse effect, which is rapidly heating our planet and driving climate change.
Biodiesel fuel uses waste products that would otherwise go into a landfill
Biodiesel fuel is made from recycled organic waste that would otherwise wind up in the garbage. Restaurant grease and discarded oils could otherwise seep into soil and water, especially if improperly disposed of. Converting this waste into biodiesel fuel benefits the earth and oceans as much as the air.
Biodiesel's raw elements are renewable and easy to harvest
When looking at biodiesel vs gasoline, it’s fair to say that gasoline—at least in current market conditions—tends to be cheaper. Yet fossil fuels are not renewable, and they are not evenly distributed across the earth. This means the prices for petroleum-based products will always be tied to the current political climate. Additionally, many methods for extracting fossil fuels are dangerous and bad for the environment. By comparison, biodiesel fuel is much more renewable.
What are some drawbacks of biodiesel vs diesel?
Biodiesel fuel can crystalize in cold weather
Climates that experience cold winters might have issues with biodiesel fuels crystallizing or gelling when temperatures drop below zero. Biodiesels made from rendered animal fats are especially prone to gelling, which can clog a vehicle's filters and fuel supply lines. However, it is possible to winterize biodiesel fuel, and newer solutions may eliminate even this necessity.
Using biodiesel fuel can void some engine manufacturers' warranties
As mentioned earlier, most modern diesel engines can currently be fueled with certain biodiesel mixes without voiding their warranty. This is not yet a hard and fast rule, which means some consumer uncertainty could be inevitable. One of the best ways to alleviate this issue may be to spread awareness of the differences between biodiesel vs diesel, and encourage vehicle operators to educate themselves on what their engines were built for.
The consumption rate for biodiesel fuel is higher than regular diesel
Biodiesel fuel burns more cleanly than regular diesel, but the trade-off is a slightly lower energy output. The Government of Ontario's page about biodiesel production tells biodiesel users to "expect up to a 5% increase in fuel consumption with biodiesel for the same output."
Join the charge toward greener transportation
Investing in biodiesel fuel for the future of transit may be a key way to improve your business’s carbon footprint. Cars, buses, and even airplanes that use biodiesel can drastically reduce the amount of carbon they produce. Biodiesel fuel also has the added benefit of using waste products that would otherwise end up in overcrowded landfills.
Fortunately, it isn’t the only arrow in the quiver of businesses searching for greener transportation options. Electric vehicles (EVs) pose another excellent opportunity both for drivers and for the organizations dedicated to building their growing infrastructure. In fact, our survey found that more than half of EV drivers use public charging stations at least a few times a week.
If you’d like your business to be a part of the growing EV trend, ChargeLab can help. Our software built for EV charging businesses is the back-end powering North America’s leading charger manufacturers, turnkey installers, and network operators. It’s the only true operating system built for EV chargers. Contact us today to learn more.
