Biodiesel fuel is reliable and renewable. It can be used in any Diesel engine. Even a small amount of biodiesel mixed with petroleum increases the fuel lubricity, which is how a fuel lubricates the fuel system and engine. The biodiesel additive has replaced sulfur dioxide, which was a component of acid rain. Biodiesel is much safer and performs just as well. Even a mixture of 20% biodiesel, a B20, reduces emissions considerably, is reasonably priced, and requires no engine modifications. Because it can be made from used cooking oil, an abundant waste product, biodiesel is much cheaper to make.

Biodiesel has a positive energy balance, 2.5 units of energy, because it is an efficient carrier of solar energy. This has been determined by adding all the quantities of energy consumed in each step together. The total energy needed to produce a gallon of biodiesel is then compared to the energy contained in the gallon of biodiesel, which is a higher ratio than that of fossil fuels. However, the total energy in biodiesel is 12% less than diesel fuel, yet it still produces similar power and torque and no noticeable difference in performance is noted.

Biodiesel is 100% biodegradable and non-toxic. Degrading four times faster than petroleum, biodiesel is almost completely gone after 3 weeks, making it much safer for sensitive environments. It also increases the life of diesel engines, so your vehicle lasts longer, and releases a pleasant odor of french fries or donuts. Because biodiesel exhaust is free of lead, sulfur dioxide, halogens, and has reduced particulates, unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and dioxide, it makes it that much safer.

Due to its high flashpoint (ignition temperature), biodiesel is safe to transport. It will not spontaneously explode or ignite under normal circumstances, making it even safer than petroleum.

Summary
Biodiesel is:
• good for your engine (increases lifespan)
• cheap to make, recycles a waste
• energy storage per gallon is just as good and gives similar power
• safe for environment, releasing no toxins
• safe to transport

BIODIESEL EMISSIONS
Biodiesel emissions are substantially lower than petroleum diesel emissions. It actually reduces most of the emissions of a diesel engine. Its stats include:
• 100% reduction of carbon dioxide
• 100% reduction of sulfur dioxide
• 40-60% reduction of soot
• 10-50% reduction of CO
• 10-50% reduction of hydrocarbon emission
• 97% reduction of carcinogenic PAH’s such as phenanthren
• 56% reduction of benzofloroanthen
• 71% reduction of bezapyren

However, biodiesel does not reduce the emission of nitrous oxide, which is created when nitrogen is burned or oxidized. Yet, this is true with any fuel used, but newer engines will produce less nitrous oxide than older, out-of-tune engines. The addition of a catalytic converter will also reduce NO emissions.

ECONOMICS
The use and production of biodiesel just makes sense. It can be created from used vegetable oil, waste cooking oil, or even animal tallow. None of these sources is more expensive than using fossil fuels. In fact, they are either the same or cheaper. The benefit of using it, however, would be that we wouldn’t have to use up fossil fuels or import them from other countries. It could be homegrown, causing a reduction in the national trade deficit.

Three billion gallons of fast food restaurant cooking oil in the U.S. is being wasted and thrown away. It causes damage and costs millions to clean up. One billion gallons of animal fat per year is being produced that could be used to make biodiesel.

Vegetable oil by itself is expensive it bought in a store. This is done on purpose to keep the price of certain farm products, like vegetable oil, from dropping. It is so that farmers do not overproduce crops and thereby bring food prices down. Some farmers are actual paid by the U.S. government not to grow crops. Sixty million acres per year are left to fallow due to government programs. A study at the University of North Dakota estimated that “when the money from increased farm yields was spent and re-spent throughout the economy, it would result in an increase of $131 per acre in gross business volume.” That would be about $2.5 billion a year for sixty acres.

OTHER USES
Biodiesel is not only a good fuel source, but it can also be used as a kerosene substitute for heaters, lanterns, and stoves. It can also be substituted for home heating oil, a solvent for non-automotive paint, or cleaner for engine parts. It can be an all-purpose machinery lubricant, a cleaner for petroleum spills on land or water, and it can be used as a non-toxic crop adjuvant.