Biodiesel is the fuel of the future, available today. This clean burning fuel alternative is produced from domestic resources, such as soybeans, which are fully renewable. Although biodiesel does not contain petroleum, it can be mixed with petroleum to create a powerful biodiesel blend. However, biodiesel can be used in diesel engines without any modification, making it the best non-toxic, biodegradable form of fuel available. So safe, in fact, that common table salt has been found to be more toxic than biodiesel.
Unlike the usual vegetable oil-based fuels that can only be used in specially manufactured combustion and ignition engines, biodiesel can be used in its simplest form to power everyday diesel engines in today’s marketplace. Imagine companies shipping their products on large pallets that are powered by bodywork and farmers using this biodegradable product for their equipment.
Biodiesel is produced through the simple chemical process of transesterification. During this process, glycerin is removed from the fat or vegetable oil. The process naturally leaves behind byproducts, including methyl esters, which is the chemical name for biodiesel, and glycerin, commonly used in soap production. The best thing about biodiesel is that it does not contain sulfur or aromatic compounds, something that cannot be said of traditional fuels.
Biodiesel isn’t even like the other alternative fuels that are available today. It is the only alternative fuel that has fully passed all the health effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Amendments Act of 1990. That means biodiesel is legally registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as a legal fuel for its sale and distribution. Companies that produce other vegetable oil fuel alternatives cannot sell their products as legal motor fuel because they cannot meet the fuel specifications that are required for EPA registration.
Biodiesel is much better for the environment than traditional fossil fuels. Biodiesel is made from renewable resources, making it a smart fuel choice, ensuring our environment is protected for future generations. It also has significantly lower emissions compared to the petroleum diesel that most people put in their vehicles.
Biodiesel is also better for the economy because it is made in the US from resources readily available within the countries’ own borders. When biodiesel is produced from US-grown products like soybeans, it teaches countries dependence on foreign oil and reinvests US money in the US economy.
This innovative fuel is becoming more and more available. It can be found across the country in a few select locations or purchased directly from growers and marketers. It is slightly more expensive than traditional fuels, but as demand for safe, biodegradable alternative fuels increases, the price of biodiesel should fall rapidly. The cheapest way to purchase biodiesel is by making it yourself at home.
