Burning the Bean by Anthony Komarek

What is Biodiesel? Most people have not heard of it, but an increasing number of people are now using the fuel on a daily basis. Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel fuel to create a biodiesel blend. (A blend that is 20% biodiesel and 80% diesel is referred to as B20.) Biodiesel can be used in diesel engines with little or no modifications, is biodegradable, non-toxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.

Why would someone use biodiesel? Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions when compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Since it is made is the USA from renewable resources such as soybeans, its use decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to the domestic economy. Rumor has that it is also quieter than traditional diesel, but we could not confirm this with any data.

The EPA has reported that running B100 reduces unburned hydrocarbons by 67%, carbon monoxide by 48%, particulate matter by 47% and sulfates by 100%, but increases Nox emissions by 10%. I personally have been running blends of biodiesel in my 2003 VW Golf TDI for more than 65,000 miles without a single problem. Some people make their own from used fryer oil obtained from local restaurants, but I purchase mine locally at a fuel station in Manchester, MI. Recently, the B20 blend was the same price as Amoco Premier 50 cetane diesel at $2.19/gallon. Check out the National Biodiesel Board website or other related websites such as biodieselnow and tdiclub for interesting reading about the fuel and its use.