subject: 8 Reasons Why Biodiesel is a Viable Alternative Fuel [print this page] The diesel engine has been around since 1895, its inventor Rudolf Diesel always intended it to run off vegetable based oils. In fact the first diesel engine ran using peanut oil as its fuel. Over time it has gained a reputation for being a smelly polluting form of power, but recent rises in the price of oil, and the realization that fossil fuels will eventually run out, not to mention the damage burning them does to our planet, has resulted in renewed interest in fuel made from plant oils or biodiesel. Is biodiesel a viable alternative fuel? I think it is, and I hope the following 8 distinct advantages will convince you too.
1. Renewable source:
The oil that is used to make biodiesel comes from a renewable source, and so will never run out.
2. Less CO2:
Burning biodiesel produces 80% less CO2 when compared to regular diesel.
3. Less harmful emissions:
It produces no harmful bi-products when it burns. There are no sulfur dioxide fumes.
4. Smells better:
When filling your tank, or as you drive, there are no horrible smells like the ones associated with traditional diesel. In fact people have described a bio fueled vehicles fumes as smelling like french fries or donuts.
5. Burns cleaner:
We can say goodbye to clouds of dirty black smoke, as this bio fuel burns clean under all conditions.
6. Safer:
Biodiesel has a flash point of 300 degrees Centigrade compared to fossil fuel diesel's flash point of 150 degrees Centigrade. So there is a significant reduction in the chance of fire.
7. Protects the engine:
It has a natural lubricating action on the engine, and so induces less wear. Also because it burns clean it produces less carbon and no sulfur. So your engine builds up fewer dirty deposits too.
8. It's a direct replacement for regular diesel:
Most diesel cars can use the bio equivalent with little or no modification. So after you check with your engines manufacturer, you can probably swap over to bio fuel today! Many regular diesel products may already contain up to 20% bio produced fuel anyway.
For these reasons I hope I have shown biodiesel is a viable alternative fuel to replace regular diesel. Using it in your vehicle could save you money, and you will also be helping to look after the environment.
8 Reasons Why Biodiesel is a Viable Alternative Fuel
