Background Knowledge

Biodiesel is a biologically formulated alternative to the standard petrodiesel. Rather than implementing petroleum in its structure, biodiesel is composed of a biomass converted through chemically reactive lipids. [1]

This alternative is a vegetable oil or animal fat based on the combination of the stated substances with an alcohol, preferably methyl, ethyl and the propyl groups. The unification of the two formulates an mono-alkyl ester. Since biodiesel shares similar properties to pretrodiesel, it can be used by almost any existing diesel engine with few modifications to the engine. The process begins by converting the input substance, such as vegetable oil, into crude oil through a process of transesterification. [2] Although the idea of biodiesel has been around for nearly a century, it has been a distant innovation because of poor atomization. To illustrate, atomization of internal combustion engines is the process in which fuel injected engines directly inject a specific ratio of fuel and air to the combustion chamber. The crude condition of this fuel caused considerable damage to critical engine components. Various techniques have been incorporated into the production process, such as pyrolysis; [3] the thermochemical decomposition of organic materials. Today, refining has surpassed a feasible, reasonable threshold of acceptable fuel properties and is an excellent alternative for standard diesel.

This image shows a simple outline of the biodiesel creation process [4]

There are widespread benefits towards biodiesel application. Biodiesel has better lubrication properties in high pressure fuel systems i.e. diesel combustion engines, increasing the life of the engine. The potential energy of biodiesel is rated at 37.27 MJ/kg which is relatively close to the calorific value of petrodiesel, rated at approximately 44.80 MJ/kg. [4] In terms of atmospheric and environmental impact, there is an estimated 57% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Naturally, biodiesel has a higher flashpoint, yielding a safer to store fuel as opposed to both petrodiesel and gasoline.





[1] http://www.nrel.gov/biomass/pdfs/39436.pdf
[2] http://www.oilgae.com/algae/oil/biod/tra/tra.html
[3] http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=19898
[4] http://www.hielscher.com/image/biodiesel_process_chart_p0500.gif
[5] http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/fuel_comparison_chart.pdf