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Why
Choose Biodiesel?
If
you own a diesel vehicle, it makes sense to consider biodiesel
for so many reasons including breaking the bonds of Middle East
oil dependency and paying out hard earned money to Exxon Mobile
- a company making record profits yet still getting government
handouts and taking our hard earned money at the pump. Want to
fight back? Consider buying a hybrid or a diesel and running that
baby on biodiesel. The following information from Biodiesel
Now - check out the links at the end of this section!
What
is biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a vegetable oil-based fuel that runs in diesel engines
- cars, buses, trucks, construction equipment, boats, generators,
and oil home heating units. It's usually made from soy or canola
oil, and can also be made from recycled fryer oil (yes, from McDonalds
or your local Chinese restaurant). You can blend it with regular
diesel or run 100% biodiesel.
What are the benefits?
1) National security. Since it's made domestically, it reduces
our dependence on foreign oil. That's good.
2) National economy. Using biodiesel keeps our fuel buying dollars
at home instead of sending it to foreign countries. This reduces
our trade deficit and creates jobs.
3) It's sustainable & non-toxic. Face it; we're going to run
out of oil eventually. Biodiesel is 100% renewable... we'll never
run out of it. And if it gets into your water supply, there's
no problem - it's veggie oil! Heck, you can drink it if you so
desire, but it tastes nasty (trust us).
4)
Emissions. Biodiesel is nearly carbon-neutral, meaning it contributes
almost zero emissions to global warming! Biodiesel also dramatically
reduces other emissions fairly dramatically. We like clean air,
how about you? Plus, the exhaust smells like popcorn or french
fries!
5)
Engine life. Studies have shown it reduces engine wear by as much
as one half, primarily because it provides excellent lubricity.
Even a 2% biodiesel/98% diesel blend will help.
6)
Drivability. We have yet to meet anyone who doesn't notice an
immediate smoothing of the engine with biodiesel. It just runs
quieter, and produces less smoke.
Are there any negatives?
Of course. There is no perfect fuel.
1) Primarily that it's not readily available in much of the nation,
YET. Consumption jumped from 500,000 gallons in 2000 to 15 million
gallons in 2001, so hopefully availability will change soon.
2) Biodiesel will clean your injectors and fuel lines. If you
have an old diesel vehicle, there's a chance that your first tank
or two of BD could free up all the accumulated crud and clog your
fuel filter.
3) It has a higher gel point. B100 (100% biodiesel) gets slushy
a little under 32°F. But B20 (20% biodiesel, 80% regular diesel
- more commonly available than B100) has a gel point of -15°F.
Like regular diesel, the gel point can be lowered further with
additives such as kerosene (blended into winter diesel in cold-weather
areas).
4) Old vehicles (older than mid-90s) might require upgrades of
fuel lines (a cheap, easy upgrade), as BD can eat through certain
types of rubber. Almost all new vehicles should have no problem
with BD.
5) Finally, the one emission that goes up with biodiesel is NOx.
NOx contributes to smog. We feel that a slight increase (up to
15%) in NOx is greatly offset by the reduction in all other emissions
and the major reduction in greenhouse gasses.
Biodiesel.org
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