Quote:
That's good as I cant afford a full tank load in the old brute..
What is biodiesel?
Biodiesel (mono alkyl esters) is a derivative of plant or animal oils. It has similar characteristics to fossil-oil based diesel and can be used as a fuel for most (unmodified) diesel engines.
Is biodiesel better for the environment than standard diesel?
Biodiesel is classified as a “carbon neutral” fuel. This means that biodiesel use does not increase the net amount of carbon in the atmosphere. All carbon released when the fuel is burned has been recently absorbed by the plants providing the oil. This differs from standard (fossil-oil based) diesel fuel which releases fossilised carbon into the atmosphere and contributes to global warming.
Biodiesel contains zero sulphur (the main cause of acid rain). Biodiesel exhaust gasses contain far fewer carcinogens and dangerous particulates than standard diesel exhausts, making it better for public health.
Can biodiesel be mixed with standard diesel?
Biodiesel can be mixed in any proportion with standard diesel, even in the fuel tank.
Most people run their vehicles on straight biodiesel, therefore maximising the fuels environmental benefits.
How is biodiesel made?
Biodiesel is made by reacting warm vegetable oil with methoxide (a solution of potassium hydroxide and methanol). The reaction causes the oil to split into esters and glycerine. The methanol combines with the esters to form methyl esters (biodiesel) and the glycerine drops out of solution.
The reacted liquids are separated by settling and the crude biodiesel (on the top) is recovered. Excess methanol is recovered from the glycerine by product.
Crude biodiesel is ‘washed’ to clean out impurities and dried before filtering and storage.
Will my car run on biodiesel?
All unmodified diesel engines will run on biodiesel, but there are a few things to consider before filling your tank:
If you have a new vehicle, you should contact your manufacturer to see if it is warrentied for biodiesel use. We want you to bombard them with your questions. The more they are pestered, the more they will authorise biodiesel use and make their cars more biodiesel friendly.
Most vehicle manufactures will approve up to 5% blends (B5) with petroleum diesel. In older vehicles, fuel filters may require changing after 500 miles of use due to the cleaning action of the fuel. This is caused by the biodiesel removing deposits in your fuel tank and hoses left over from standard diesel usage. Your vehicle mechanic should be advised of this.
Older vehicles may also have fuel hoses made of natural rubber, which is slowly degraded by biodiesel use. Hoses in vehicles constructed after 1992 are usually made from synthetic materials and do not suffer from biodiesel use.
How does biodiesel perform in cold weather?
Pure biodiesel performs well down to 0 deg C. In colder temperatures the fuel is susceptible to gelling and may cause blockages in the fuel system. Should colder weather occur, blending with winterised petroleum diesel is advised.
Advice on purchase and fitting of vehicle fuel heaters can be supplied on request.
How can I store biodiesel?
Biodiesel is easy to store. It is very stable at atmospheric pressure and will not ignite even under a naked flame. Large amounts should be stored in bunded areas or containers to prevent messy spillages. Biodiesel containers should be stored in a building to protect the fuel from frost
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