Do You Want to Know Where Biodiesel Comes From?

 Biodiesel fuel as an alternative fuel source, is produced mainly from vegetable oils. This fuel is produced chemically by altering the vegetable oil through a "thinning" process. It fuel can also be used in combination with heating oil to heat residential and industrial buildings.

Diesel fuel made from natural renewable sources such as vegetable oils or animal fats lowered air-polluting emissions of heavy trucks in a trial study, according to researchers. Diesel does offer long lasting, fuel efficient engines and when used with biodiesel and biodiesel blends-- a clean, long range, affordable option. Diesel has 40% more energy content than gasoline. They are also 30-50% more efficient than gasoline engines.

Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a blend. These blends are denoted as, "BXX" with "XX" representing the percentage of biodiesel contained in the blend (ie: B20 is 20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel).

Production of biodiesel, according to the University of Idaho report is very efficient. Production has increased from 1 million gallons per year in 2001 to over 225 million gallons in 2006.

Raw vegetable oil does not meet biodiesel fuel specifications, it is not registered with the EPA, and it is not a legal motor fuel. Using biodiesel fuel, or blending it with regular diesel fuel, can reduce the production of some cancer-causing emissions from diesel engines.

There are a lot of real good reports on this subject at The Biodiesel News.  It is one of my favorite sites for up to date ideas and helpful information on alternative fuels.