BIODIESEL FACTS
"Biodiesel is a safe, non-toxic, biodegradable, renewable fuel that can be easily used in unmodified diesel engines, and for a variety of other fuel applications. It is not a new fuel; when Dr Rudolf Diesel developed his diesel engine in 1912, he designed it to run on peanut oil."
- Biodiesel in British Columbia - Feasibility Study Report
What is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable and non-toxic fuel, that is produced using waste cooking oils, vegetable oils, animal fats or tall oil (a by-product from pulp and paper processing). Biodiesel is created through a process called transesterification, where the oil is reacted with an alcohol (usually methanol, although ethanol can also be used) and a catalyst (such as potassium or sodium hydroxide). This process causes the oil to separate into two parts: glycerine, and methyl esters (also known as biodiesel). Biodiesel may be used alone (B100) in most diesel engines, or in any percentage mixed with petrodiesel, for example 10 percent biodiesel (B10) or 5 percent biodiesel (B5).
- Biodiesel in British Columbia - Feasibility Study Report
What is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable and non-toxic fuel, that is produced using waste cooking oils, vegetable oils, animal fats or tall oil (a by-product from pulp and paper processing). Biodiesel is created through a process called transesterification, where the oil is reacted with an alcohol (usually methanol, although ethanol can also be used) and a catalyst (such as potassium or sodium hydroxide). This process causes the oil to separate into two parts: glycerine, and methyl esters (also known as biodiesel). Biodiesel may be used alone (B100) in most diesel engines, or in any percentage mixed with petrodiesel, for example 10 percent biodiesel (B10) or 5 percent biodiesel (B5).
How to Use it?
Any diesel engine can use bio-diesel with little or no modification, and it blends easily with regular petroleum fuel. Check with your manufacturer or on one of the many biodiesel forums for vehicle-specific information. In winter, it is recommended to use an 80% regular diesel and 20% bio-diesel mix. Other than that, just gas up and go!
Benefits of CB-DC Biodiesel
Who Uses Biodiesel?
Our Co-op members come from a diverse background, they are teachers, scientists, computer programmers, musicians. Operators of any vehicle with a diesel engine can use biodiesel, including commercial trucks, buses, marine, rail, agricultural vehicles, industrial equipment, generators, and consumer vehicles. We are over 170 members strong. For info on what CB-DC requires of its members visit our Co-op Membership page.
Since its first production on a commercial scale in Germany in 1991, global production has increased rapidly. Bio-diesel is now the fastest growing alternative fuel in Europe. In 2003, Germany, France, Austria and Italy produced over two billion litres of bio-diesel, and in Germany and Austria, around 1700 service stations now sell bio-diesel. Many European car manufacturers, including VW and Mercedes Benz, have approved bio-diesel use for their engines. In Germany, over 19,000 jobs have been generated growing the feedstock, processing the raw materials, and marketing the resulting bio-diesel. Two German bus companies run their entire fleets on bio-diesel, and most major bus networks in France run on bio-diesel blends.
In the U.S., a blend of 20% bio-diesel with 80% petro-diesel (referred to as B20) is quite widely used, and 15 states have passed legislation favourable to bio-diesel. In North Dakota and Minnesota, all diesel fuel is required to include 2% bio-diesel. In Washington State, the Intercity Transit Authority uses a B20 bio-diesel mix in its entire fleet, and is moving to B40 in 2004. In 2003, there were 123 gas service stations offering bio-diesel. Almost all of the bio-diesel that is used in Europe and the US comes from agricultural crops grown specifically for this purpose.
Any diesel engine can use bio-diesel with little or no modification, and it blends easily with regular petroleum fuel. Check with your manufacturer or on one of the many biodiesel forums for vehicle-specific information. In winter, it is recommended to use an 80% regular diesel and 20% bio-diesel mix. Other than that, just gas up and go!
Benefits of CB-DC Biodiesel
- Our renewable biofuel is made from waste cooking oil, so it doesn't compete with food crops
- Reduces life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions
- Reduces particulate and other harmful diesel emissions (up to 90% reduction of toxins)
- Burns cleaner with increased lubricity and combustion, extending engine life
- Requires less energy to create than equal units of petroleum based fuels
- Is 10 x less toxic than table salt and bio-degrades faster than sugar
- Supports local green initiatives and businesses
- Keeps money in the community
- Exhaust smells like french fries, not pollution!
Who Uses Biodiesel?
Our Co-op members come from a diverse background, they are teachers, scientists, computer programmers, musicians. Operators of any vehicle with a diesel engine can use biodiesel, including commercial trucks, buses, marine, rail, agricultural vehicles, industrial equipment, generators, and consumer vehicles. We are over 170 members strong. For info on what CB-DC requires of its members visit our Co-op Membership page.
Since its first production on a commercial scale in Germany in 1991, global production has increased rapidly. Bio-diesel is now the fastest growing alternative fuel in Europe. In 2003, Germany, France, Austria and Italy produced over two billion litres of bio-diesel, and in Germany and Austria, around 1700 service stations now sell bio-diesel. Many European car manufacturers, including VW and Mercedes Benz, have approved bio-diesel use for their engines. In Germany, over 19,000 jobs have been generated growing the feedstock, processing the raw materials, and marketing the resulting bio-diesel. Two German bus companies run their entire fleets on bio-diesel, and most major bus networks in France run on bio-diesel blends.
In the U.S., a blend of 20% bio-diesel with 80% petro-diesel (referred to as B20) is quite widely used, and 15 states have passed legislation favourable to bio-diesel. In North Dakota and Minnesota, all diesel fuel is required to include 2% bio-diesel. In Washington State, the Intercity Transit Authority uses a B20 bio-diesel mix in its entire fleet, and is moving to B40 in 2004. In 2003, there were 123 gas service stations offering bio-diesel. Almost all of the bio-diesel that is used in Europe and the US comes from agricultural crops grown specifically for this purpose.
