Where Can I Buy Biodiesel
Whether you are a petroleum distributor sourcing biodiesel or a consumer looking for a pump, finding biodiesel has never been easier. The Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) has maps that show you where to purchase biodiesel.
where can i buy biodiesel
Are you thinking about switching to a biodiesel-compatible vehicle or running your current diesel car or truck on biodiesel fuel? Continue reading to learn the pros and cons of biodiesel vs. diesel, what's driving the market, and why you might want to consider making the transition to biodiesel yourself.
Our biodiesel fuel is carefully blended with vegetable-based oil and tested to assure the highest quality at our in-house blending facility. Technicians and engine manufacturers recommend a 5% mixture of vegetable-based oil. However, we are able to supply higher concentrations of biodiesel to meet your requirements upon request.
Unlike traditional diesel which is produced from crude mineral oil, biodiesel is produced from a variety of vegetable oils; palm oil, rape oil, canola oil, soy oil, linseed oil, coconut oil, mustard oil and cotton oil.
Biofuels are seen as a good medium-term solution to traditional fuels as we move towards a world where electric vehicles are the norm. They are made from more sustainable energy sources than either petrol or diesel.
When used, biofuels produce significantly fewer pollutant emissions and toxins than fossil fuels. Bioenergy Australia estimates that biodiesel could cut emissions by over 85% compared to diesel, while bioethanol could reduce emissions by around 50%.
Are biodiesel and vegetable oil the same thing?No, biodiesel is produced through a chemical process called transesterification which converts oils and fats of natural origin into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). Combustion of vegetable oil without conversion to biodiesel will lead to soot accumulation and deposits that may lead to power loss and engine failure. See What is Biodiesel.
What is in biodiesel?Biodiesel is made through a chemical reaction between natural oils and alcohol, followed by purification. Biodiesel can be made from nearly any naturally occurring vegetable oil or fat. The most frequently used oils by Pacific Biodiesel facilities are used cooking oil, tallow, yellow grease, poultry grease, cottonseed oil, and soybean oil.Learn more about what biodiesel is here.Learn about biodiesel and sustainability here.
Do I need to do any modifications to my diesel vehicle to use biodiesel?If your car was made prior to 1993, the rubber fuel lines will probably have to be replaced. One of the major advantages of using biodiesel is the fact that it can be used in existing diesel engines without negative impacts to operating performance. Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel for heavyweight vehicles that does not require any special injection or storage modifications.
It is important to note that newer diesel vehicle models of Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes (2007 or later) have a fuel system that can create a fuel/oil dilution in the diesel engine, whether diesel or biodiesel fuel is used. Over time the engine oil could be diluted by the fuel if certain precautions are not taken. One recommendation is to ensure you are running your diesel engine regularly. And, if you use 100% biodiesel in these vehicles, you must change the oil at least every 3,000 miles and check your oil level regularly (this is not an issue with these vehicles using biodiesel blends, such as B20). Ram trucks and all GM vehicles do not have this issue. Contact our biodiesel fuel experts here if you have any questions.
Will I need to change my fuel filters more often when using biodiesel?Biodiesel is a solvent. It will clear many diesel deposits that have accumulated in your fuel tank. This may cause initial fuel filter clogging but continued use of biodiesel will not cause an increased frequency of filter changes.
How does the fuel efficiency of biodiesel compare with petrodiesel?Vehicles running on biodiesel get virtually the same MPG rating as vehicles running on petrodiesel. Learn more.
Is biodiesel good for my engine?Yes, biodiesel can actually extend the life of your engine. Biodiesel has superior lubricating properties that reduce the wear of vital engine parts.
How do the emissions of biodiesel and petrodiesel differ?Using biodiesel instead of petrodiesel will significantly reduce unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter from tail pipe emissions. It will also virtually eliminate sulfur oxides and sulfates which are major contributors to acid rain. Nitrogen oxide emissions may slightly increase, but can be remedied with newer low-emission diesel engines. Learn more.
What do I need to know about using biodiesel in my boat?As a biodegradable, non-toxic advanced biofuel, biodiesel is ideal for marine application. Biodiesel is safer to handle and eliminates the risk from environmentally hazardous fossil fuel spills. To use biodiesel for your diesel engine-powered boat, follow these tips:
Today is National Biodiesel Day, the annual celebration of biodiesel in America. Observed each year on March 18, National Biodiesel Day commemorates the birthday of Rudolf Diesel, who invented the diesel engine and unveiled it at the World Fair in 1900.
Pacific Current President Scott Valentino (left) and Pacific Biodiesel President Bob King meet in Honolulu after signing a contract to supply locally produced biodiesel for the Hamakua Energy power generation facility located on Hawaii Island.
August 10 is International Biodiesel Day. Why does a fuel deserve its own holiday? Well, biodiesel is no ordinary fuel. It is comprised of sustainable materials, or even waste materials, and is used either as a fuel itself or is used to make traditional diesel fuel go further, thereby making the country more energy independent.
Biodiesel is a fuel made by combining alcohol (usually methanol) with vegetable oil, animal fat, or recycled cooking grease. Biodiesel can be used in diesel engines as an additive to petroleum diesel fuel to reduce vehicle emissions or in its pure form as a renewable alternative fuel. Biodiesel can be blended and used in many different concentrations. The most common are B5 (up to 5% biodiesel) and B20 (6% to 20% biodiesel). B100 (pure biodiesel)
By definition, biodiesel means 100% biodiesel, which is why it is labeled B100. Since it is derived from vegetable oils and other organic oils, and contains no petroleum, only B100 is recognized as an alternative fuel.
A common misconception is that biodiesel is the same as raw vegetable oil. Although biodiesel can be, and usually is, derived at least partly from vegetable oil, vegetable oil must be chemically processed into biodiesel. Raw vegetable oil cannot and should not ever be used as a fuel. You can learn more about the myths and dangers of using vegetable oil as a fuel.in the Energy Saver fact sheet on the issue.
Mixtures of biodiesel and petroleum diesel are referred to as biodiesel blends and are designated as B2, B10, B20 ,etc., with the number indicating the percentage of biodiesel in the blend. There are about 1,000 filling stations throughout the United States that offer blended biodiesel. Blends of 5 percent (B5) and over are required to be labeled at the pump. Look for the Black and Blue biodiesel sticker when filling up. Biodiesel concentrations below B5 are not technically diesel fuel, therefore no separate labeling is required at the pump.
The topic of biodiesel fuel has been receiving a great deal of interest recently, and both large- and small-scale manufacturers have started production at locations throughout the state. However, many people are still uncertain about whether biodiesel is a reliable, safe fuel to use for diesel engines.
This fact sheet explains the major differences between biodiesel and petroleum diesel (also called petrodiesel), including information about biodiesel additives and blends. The companion fact sheet in this series Using Biodiesel Fuel in Your Engine explains the performance you can expect when running an engine on biodiesel.
The sizes of the molecules in biodiesel and petroleum diesel are about the same, but they differ in chemical structure. Biodiesel molecules consist almost entirely of chemicals called fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), which contain unsaturated "olefin" components. Low-sulfur petroleum diesel, on the other hand, consists of about 95 percent saturated hydrocarbons and 5 percent aromatic compounds.
The differences in chemical composition and structure between petroleum diesel and biodiesel result in several notable variations in the physical properties of the two fuels. The seven most significant differences are as follows:
The quality of petroleum diesel fuel tends to be more uniform and reliable, especially when compared to small-scale production of biodiesel where quality control may or may not have been good. Petroleum diesel can vary in quality from plant to plant or from region to region, but the variations are typically much smaller. Poor-quality biodiesel fuel can lead to many problems in engine performance, and care should be taken to ensure that your fuel is of good quality (see the Renewable and Alternative Energy Fact Sheet: Using Biodiesel Fuel in Your Engine). Biodiesel that conforms to ASTM standard D6751 should be of a consistent, high quality.
In all fairness, we should mention that petroleum diesel has also demonstrated problems with oxidative stability and low-temperature performance, although biodiesel, at present, seems to be more susceptible.
A common question regarding biodiesel that comes up is "which oil crop results in the best biodiesel?" There are definite differences from crop to crop, but it's not a straightforward matter to choose a "best" one, especially when the cost of growing or buying oil can vary quite a bit from crop to crop as well. 041b061a72