BIODIESEL
Biodiesel is a domestically produced, renewable fuel that can be manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant greases. It is a liquid fuel made of fatty acid alkyl esters, fatty acid methyl esters, or long chain mono alkyl esters. Biodiesel is a safe and biodegradable, which is clean-burning replacement for petroleum-based diesel fuel while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and serious toxic air pollutants. Biodiesel is nontoxic and has physical properties similar to those of petroleum diesel.
Biodiesel can be blended with petroleum diesel in any percentage. The percentages are designated as B20 for a blend containing 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel. Blends of B20 or higher qualify for alternative fuel credits under the Energy Policy Act of 1992.
Facts
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Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.
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Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification whereby the glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil. The process leaves behind two products -- methyl esters (the chemical name for biodiesel) and glycerin (a valuable byproduct usually sold to be used in soaps and other products).
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Biodiesel is one of the most thoroughly tested alternative fuels on the market.
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Research of Biodiesel includes studies performed by the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stanadyne Automotive Corp. (the largest diesel fuel injection equipment manufacturer in the U.S.), Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, and Southwest Research Institute.
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Currently more than 300 major fleets use the fuel.
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One of the major advantages of biodiesel is the fact that it can be used in existing engines and fuel injection equipment with little impact to operating performance.
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Tests have shown biodiesel’s significant reduction of virtually all regulated emissions, and showed biodiesel does not pose a threat to human health.
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A U.S. Department of Energy study showed that the production and use of biodiesel, compared to petroleum diesel, resulted in a 78.5% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Moreover, biodiesel has a positive energy balance. For every unit of energy needed to produce a gallon of biodiesel, at least 4.5 units of energy are gained.
People Involved in the Greater New Haven Coalition
Biodiesel Producer - Chris Glynos- Vice President of BIOPUR
Contact Information- Chris@biopur.com Work Number- (203) 266-5771
Fuel Retailer and Bio Diesel Blender- Charles A. Guadagino- Director of business Development of East River Energy
Contact Information- cag@eastriverenergy.com Work Number- (203) 453-1200
Biodiesel Consultant- Paul Hoar-Vice President of Agrifuels LLC
Contact Information- paulhoar@agrifuels.com Work Number- (860) 633-9811
Biodiesel Retailer/Blender/Producer- Gus Kellogg- President and Founder of Greenleaf Biofuels
