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BIO-DIESEL Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use biodiesel in my car, boat, tractor, etc.?
Yes, biodiesel can be used to power any unmodified conventional diesel engine. You can mix it in any proportion with petroleum diesel, or use 100% biodiesel. A 2% blend improves engine life and cleanliness, and increases engine lubricity by 65%. A 20% blend reduces tailpipe emissions and smoke as much as 60%.
So biodiesel burns cleanly?
Yes, biodiesel emits about 75% less pollutants than conventional diesel. Sulfur dioxide emissions are completely eliminated. There is no net increase in carbon dioxide emissions because the CO2 emitted from the tailpipe is absorbed by the plants that produce the oil to make biodiesel. Biodiesel is ideal in sensitive environments like marine waters, parks and forests, and polluted cities. As an example, Yellowstone National Park service vehicles use biodiesel to protect their sensitive environment.
Is biodiesel safe?
Yes, it has a flash point of 300F vs. 125F of petroleum diesel, making it safer to store, transport, and clean up than petroleum diesel. In fact, it can safely be used to fuel space heaters and home furnaces. It is also biodegradable and non-toxic, so spills have less impact. It is said that "neat biodiesel is as biodegradable as sugar and less toxic than salt." It has even been listed by the USDA as a food processing agent for human consumption.
What do diesel equipment manufacturers have to say?
John Deere recently approved their product line to use biodiesel. There is really no reason any manufacturer should not do the same, as the engines do not know the difference between bio and petroleum diesel.
Are there any downsides?
Some older vehicles may have rubber fuel hoses that could deteriorate. Most newer hoses are synthetic and fine for use with biodiesel, and replacing older rubber hoses is easy and cheap. Biodiesel also has the same properties in some environments that petroleum diesel does, clouding in colder weather and growing bacteria in hot weather, but the same additives that prevent contamination of petroleum diesel work for biodiesel too. Biodiesel is a terrific cleaner as well, so when you start using it it will clean out all the gunk that has accumulated in your fuel system. Because of this the fuel filters will probably have to be changed soon after you start using biodiesel. Biodiesel also has a shelf life of about six months.