Biodiesel is a form of diesel fuel derived from plants or animals and consisting of long-chain fatty acid esters.
It is renewable and biodegradable fuel manufactured domestically from vegetable oils, animal fats or recycled restaurant grease.
UCO biodiesel is a second-generation, renewable fuel produced by chemically treating waste cooking oil.
It is a drop-in biofuel, meaning it is compatible with existing diesel engines and distribution infrastructure.
The colour of biodiesel ranges from golden to dark brown, depending on the production method. It is slightly miscible with water, has a high boiling point and low vapor pressure. The flash point of biodiesel exceeds 130°C (266°F), significantly higher than that of petroleum diesel.
Waste-based biodiesel reduces net CO2 emissions by 86% compared to conventional diesel. Each carbon atom is used twice before it is released into the atmosphere: once for cooking and once as fuel.
Using the same cooking oil repeatedly causes cardiovascular problems. It can also harm the ecology if disposed off incorrectly.
After used cooking oil (UCO) is collected, the next step is refinement as UCO contains impurities such as meat scraps, water, crumbs of breading and other leftovers.
Manufactured using Transesterification ie to combine an ester with an alcohol. In the case of biodiesel, the “ester” is used cooking oil, which is combined with methyl alcohol or methanol. A small amount of catalyst – usually sodium chloride – is added to the mix to kickstart a chemical reaction. The end results are methyl ester – the technical term for biodiesel fuel – and glycerin.
The glycerin is separated out and can be used as an ingredient in cleaning products, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals
Biodiesel can be used in pure form (B100) or may be blended with petroleum diesel at any concentration in most injection pump diesel engines. The most common biodiesel blend is B20, which ranges from 6% to 20% biodiesel blended with petroleum diesel. However, B5 (a biodiesel blend of 5% biodiesel, 95% diesel) is also commonly used in fleet vehicles.
In general, blends with smaller percentages of biodiesel perform better in cold temperatures.
Biodiesel is a domestically produced, clean-burning, renewable substitute for petroleum diesel. Using biodiesel as a vehicle fuel increases energy security, improves air quality and the environment and provides safety benefits.
Biodiesel in its pure, unblended form causes far less damage than petroleum diesel if spilled or released to the environment.
It is safer than petroleum diesel because it is less combustible. The flashpoint for biodiesel is higher than 130°C, compared with about 52°C for petroleum diesel. Biodiesel is safe to handle, store and transport.
ENVESYA