Biodiesel Power: Arguments For and Against

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Emission control
Toxicity rate
Biodegradability
Engine lubricity
Energy security
Diversity
Drawbacks of Biodiesel
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Biodiesel is a non-petroleum diesel fuel made up of short ester chains. It is produced from a number of natural sources such as animal and plant oils. Plant oil is mostly preferred to animal sources. The commonly used plants include: palm, cottonseed, peanut, sunflower and soybean. Studies show that biodiesel is also produced from recycled cooking grease. Processing of biodiesel involves purifying oil or fat, after which it is reacted with ethanol or methanol. The reaction takes place under potassium or sodium hydroxide that act as catalysts. The process is known as transesterification; it transforms triacylglycerol to esters and glycerol. Biodiesel can either be used in its pure form or be mixed with petroleum based diesel fuels to form blends (IEA 2004).

Biodiesel is preferred to petroleum based diesel fuels in many applications. It is used as a source of domestic and commercial energy. Many people consider using biodiesel because it is friendly to the environment, can be renewed to produce energy, it is biodegradable, and emissions are fewer compared to other conventional fuels.

Emission control

Fuels emit products that harmful to people and environment, and that have been of great concern to lawmakers, scientists, and consumers. The products include Sulfur, and related products which which causes acidic rain, Carbon monoxide which is toxic to human beings, Carbon dioxide which is influences global warming, unburnt hydrocarbons which influences formation of ozone and smog, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which are believed have influence some types of cancer. According to Clean Air Act, all biofuels are supposed to be tested to determine their emissions. Test carried out by this Acts shows that among other biofuels, biodiesel has the least hazards to people and the environment. information from National Biodiesel Board shows that a pure biodiesel, emits an average of -67% total unburned hydrocarbons, -48% Carbon Monoxide, -47% Particulate Matter, +10% Nox, -100% Sulfates, and -80% PAH. In a blend containing twenty percent of biodiesel, the emission of these products increases but still to insignificant percentages. Studies show that B100 has the ability to reduce Carbon dioxide emissions by about seventy eight percent, and can reduce the carcinogenic properties of diesel fuel by about ninety four percent (Dianne 2003). This shows that biodiesel is friendly to both people and environment.

Toxicity rate

Studies show that the biodiesel is non toxic to land animals and aquatic organisms. A comparison between biodiesel and Sodium Chloride’s toxicity shows that biodiesel has a lethal dose is about seventeen and half percent per a kilogram body weight, which is about ten times less toxic as Sodium Chloride is. Test on it’s effect to skin, such as a twenty four hours human patch test with pure biodiesel gives a mild irritation to the skin. When four percent of soap is mixed with water, and the solution’s effect compared with the effect of biodiesel, soap solution irritates the skin more. Biodiesel has insignificant lethal concentration to aquatic organisms. Biodiesel burns at a higher temperature compare to conventional diesel, a factor that reduces it’s chances of accidental combust. It’s flash point is above 260° F, while petroleum based diesel is about 125° F. In blends of biodiesel and petroleum fuels, the flash point increases with increase in biodiesel. This ensures that biodiesel and it’s blends with petroleum fuels are safe to store, handle, and use as compared to conventional diesel fuels.

Biodegradability

Unlike petroleum diesel, biodiesel is easily degraded, by natural agents such as bacteria. It takes about twenty eight days for about eighty eight percent of pure biodiesel to decompose in water. Study tests carried out to determine the rate of degradation used dextrose as a positive control. Results show that both have a similar degradation rate. In it’s blend with petroleum diesels, the degradation rate accelerates. For example, a blend with twenty percent biodiesel and eighty percent petroleum diesel fuels the degradation rate increases to about twice, the rate of two single diesel. Decomposition is about four times faster. It’s spills have no major effects to people and organisms, and cleaning them up is quite easy (Hess 2007).

Engine lubricity

Biodiesel facilitates easy movement. The fuel act as a solvent in the engine enhancing engine lubricity by loosening deposits that are likely to form n the engine (Estill 2005, pp. 69). The deposits are capable of forming clogs. Biodiesel increases life of an engine, because when used in it’s pure form, it leaves no deposit, and when used in mixture with other petroleum diesel, a high lubricity is achieved. For example, a one percent of the fuel in s blend enhances about sixty five lubricity. Although the solvent enhances effective lubricity, its ability to loosen deposits built up in the engine, increases chances of fuel filter getting jammed with deposits, as the solvent continue to loosen more and more deposits (Pahl 2005, pp. 54). This has raised the need to change fuel tanks when changing the engines fuel from petroleum diesel fuel to biodiesel.

Energy security

Biodiesel increases energy security. The fact that it is produces from plant and animal oil, and that it is renewable, has increased its use in many parts of the world. For example in United States, many people are likely to rely on the fuel, as it can be made within the State using soybean, rather than importing the petroleum diesel (NBB 2000). The World’s petroleum demand is increasing rapidly and the supply and effectiveness of the petroleum diesel fuels, is unable to meet the high demand (Hess 2007). This is likely to increase the use of biodiesel to patch the gap, because biodiesel is renewable, meaning that its use will be efficient and effective in patching the gap between the demand and supply.

Diversity

Biodiesel can be used in in various engines with no or simple engine modification. When a new petroleum fuel is introduced in an engine, there must be a modification to the engine, or complete change of the engine, for effectiveness of the fuel. This is different when using biodiesel. No major changes are required, and it is effective in various engines.

Drawbacks of Biodiesel

The fuel produces increased amounts of nitrogen oxide.This usually occurs when the amount of particulate matter decreases the fuel emissions, forming smog. Use of biodiesel causes slight reduction of fuel power and economy in the engine. This is because a higher amount of biodiesel is required to fill a engine, than conventional diesel.

Conclusion

Biodiesel fuel has more benefits than petroleum diesel fuel. Since the fuel is environmental friendly, ensures long engine life, are safer to use, and their use are likely to secure energy, then they are better than standard fuels.

References

Dianne. US Biodiesel Development. Boston: Dianne, 2003.

Estill, Lyle. Biodiesel power. United State: New Society, 2005

Hess, Scott. How biodiesel works. 2007. HowStuffWorks, Inc. 2008. Web.

IEA. Biodiesel and Transport. New York: IEA, 2004.

National Biodiesel Board. 2000. Environmental safety. 2008. Web.

Pahl, Greg. Biodiesel. Boston: Chelsea Green Pub, 2005.

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