http://www.biodieselireland.ie/advantages.htm
Advantages of Biodiesel
Pure Biodiesel is non-toxic, biodegradable and greenhouse gas neutral. As a blended addition to Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel, Biodiesel reduces pollution, particulates (soot) and hydrocarbons and restores lubricity lost due to the reduction of sulphur compounds in ULSD (thereby reducing engine wear). Both Biodiesel and mineral diesel have similar energy and power content and have proven to be of a similar retail value at the pump.
Mineral diesel fuel is produced from mineral crude oil, whereas Biodiesel is produced from a variety of feedstocks including used vegetable oil, tallow from meat processing and vegetable oils, including but not limited to rape, canola, soy, linseed, palm, coconut, mustard and cotton oils. It can also be manufactured from tallow oil and used cooking oils. Biodiesel has emerged as a realistic and desirable alternative, or blended addition, to mineral diesel and is becoming an increasingly valuable contributor to the world’s drive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It has been in general pure use for the last 10 years in continental Europe. However, the majority of UK Biodiesel production is expected to be used as a 5-20% blend with mineral diesel. In the UK, a 5 per cent. Biodiesel blend is currently being marketed on forecourts; Petroplus, a significant diesel refiner, markets “Bioplus” and Greenergy, a significant distributor of green fuels (25 per cent. owned by Tesco plc), markets “Global Diesel”. Biodiesel, when added to ULSD, restores lubricity lost due to the reduction of sulphur compounds, as well as adding environmental benefits to the blend. Pure Biodiesel has many advantages including:
Greenhouse gas neutral. It is also non toxic and biodegradable; it is fully degraded in a waterway environment within approximately 28 days.
Significant lubricant characteristics enabling a reduction in wear and extended efficiency for injectors and for all engines using...