Biofuel: Petroleum and Renewable Fuel Essays

Submitted By carmenyoly
Words: 617
Pages: 3

If you are unsure what is meant by the term biodiesel, think of it in terms of ethanol. Ethanol is to gasoline what Biodiesel. If you are unsure what is meant by the term biodiesel, think of it in terms of ethanol. Ethanol is to gasoline what biodiesel is to diesel fuel. Like ethanol, biodiesel is made from renewable biomass, meaning it is a renewable fuel from the get go. Biodiesel, therefore, does not contribute to the carbon dioxide-loading of the Earth's atmosphere. While soybeans or canola oil are most often used to produce biodiesel, this renewable fuel can also be made from other renewable sources such as animal fat or even recycled cooking oil. The production of biodiesel yields a number of useful byproducts, including animal feed ingredients. The most common blend is a 20 percent biodiesel, 80 percent petroleum-based diesel fuel. This blend is commonly referred to as B20. An advantage of using a B20 biodiesel blend is that it can be stored and dispensed just like a petroleum-based diesel fuel. This fact sets biodiesel apart from some alternative energy. In addition, there is no modification needed for diesel-powered vehicles to be able to utilize a B20 or even higher blends in place of conventional diesel. This allows any existing commercial or industrial vehicle to immediately make use of the alternative fuel. Since it is renewable, biodiesel an also reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and ordinary pollutants, like soot, because it displaces petroleum-based fuels. The infrastructure for biodiesel is growing by leaps and bounds. Its downside is primarily cost, though R&D continues to chip away and make this renewable fuel more price competitive. Because it does not require the development of an extensive infrastructure or the changeover of vehicles, it is often characterized as a very cost-effective way for commercial and industrial fleets to meet clean air requirements. Unlike fleets utilizing compressed natural gas (CNG), no conversion is necessary. is to diesel fuel. Like ethanol, biodiesel is made from renewable biomass, meaning it is a renewable fuel from the get go. Biodiesel, therefore, does not contribute to the carbon dioxide-loading of the Earth's atmosphere. While soybeans or canola oil are most often used to produce biodiesel, this renewable fuel can also be made from other renewable sources such as animal fat or even recycled cooking oil. The production of