Biodiesel an Alternative Source of Fuel Research Paper

Biodiesel an Alternative Source of Fuel - Research Paper Example Due to the emergence of many industries involved in converting â€Å"raw materials into finished goods†, biodiesel proves to be an alternative source of fuel to suit the operations of the existing and emerging industries (Kowalski, 2010). This fuel is also suitable for diesel vehicles. Biodiesel is a kind of energy generated from fats or vegetable oils combined with alcohol (Kowalski, 2010). This fuel is ideal for diesel engines, as it does not require the modifications of the engines for its use. The United States of America generates this fuel by using soybean oil. Many companies prefer to generate this fuel from already used fats and at times use grease. Biodiesel is effective, as one may prefer mixing it with diesel or use it alone. Biodiesel is ideal during its use as it is friendly to the environment and nontoxic. It is a recyclable fuel. Biodiesel tend to burn cleanly with minimal chocking smell and emits an insignificant portion of smoke. This fuel is not a source of p ollution as it emits insufficient amounts of pollutants such as â€Å"carbon (1V) Oxide and hydrocarbons and no sulfur† is contained in this substitute source of fuel (Kowalski, 2010). During its preparation, filtration of the fats or oils extensively is necessary to remove the contaminants and water present. Biodiesel contains high amounts of energy and its accurate tackiness makes it apposite for use in all vehicles and equipment that require diesel. In order to realize energy liberty, Biodiesel is the initiative to take and follow (Kowalski, 2010). Preparing Biodiesel Transesterification is the procedure of coming up with biodiesel. This process involves a chemical reaction thus a catalyst is necessary to augment the speed of reaction. Since the fats and oils are hydrocarbons, filtration is a prerequisite to clean them. After they are clean, alcohol is added to the mixture and a catalyst introduced. Sodium hydroxide is the preferred catalyst to speed up its manufacture. Th e catalyst does not become part of fuel in any way. The resulting product of the chemical reaction is biodiesel fuel (Demirbas, 2008). Biodiesel has become popular as heating oil in many countries with many residents of the United States using this fuel in place of household oil. Letter â€Å"B† comes along with a certain number to mark it. The number represents the percentage of this fuel in a mixture of petroleum and biodiesel. For example, a combination of 30% biodiesel and 70% petroleum is denoted as B30. B20 is the most popular biodiesel globally. Compared to the fossil fuels, biodiesel emits fifty percent less hydrocarbon and minimum amounts of sulfates and oxides (Demirbas, 2008). Over the past twenty years, biodiesel has proved to be a substitute fuel. It offers preventive measures of handling and transporting as its biodegradable. To eliminate low temperature gelling, additives are readily available in the market. The companies announce on a gel additive that blends well with B100 to prevent gelling of temperature without altering the engine components. To maintain the stability of the fuel, recommendations are that blends of biodiesel above B20 to be used not more than six months after its production. Uses of fuel functions optimally above B20 in older vehicles, precautions are necessary due to deposits left by petrol diesel. Biodiesel dissolves the sediments that in turn obstruct the fuel sift. â€Å"Positive Impacts of Biodiesel on the Environment† Biodiesel as an alternative source of fuel offers some positive impacts on the human health as well as the environment. The largest impact made by this fuel on the environment is that it serves to reduce smog.