Biodiesel is a liquid fuel made from vegetable oils, recycled cooking
grease, and animal fats. In the United States, most biodiesel is made from
soybean oil, whereas in Europe, rapeseed oil (canola) is the commonest
feedstock. Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called
transesterification, a process in which the oil reacts with alcohol in the
presence of a catalyst leaving behind two products - methyl esters (biodiesel),
and glycerin (a valuable byproduct used in soaps ).
Currently, biodiesel is blended with petroleum-based diesel, at up to 20%
(called B20 blend stock), for trucks and heavy-duty vehicles. It is
manufactured in accordance with specification ASTM D6751. Biodiesel can be
considered a cleaner-burning fuel as it contains virtually none of the
nitrogen or aromatic compounds, such as benzene, typically found in
petroleum-based fuels, and could reduce the levels of emissions upon
combustion. It has a very low sulfur content, typically less than 25 parts
per million (ppm).
Approximately 7.7 million homes, mostly in the Northeastern states, use oil
for heating. This amounts to almost 6.7 billion gallons of oil annually. Due
to high oil prices and increasing uncertainty about the global political
landscape in the coming years, the United Stated has made alternative fuels
a high priority at all levels. Because biodiesel has many properties similar
to that of heating oil, it is being seen as one of the more practical
alternatives available to Americans [Krishna, Albrecht, 2006].
Please contact us if you have any questions or if you need further information on our research.
Contact: C. R. Krishna, Ph.D.
Phone: 631-344-4025
Email: krishna@bnl.gov
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Building 526
Upton, NY 11787 USA
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Last Modified: February 1, 2008
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