What Is Biodiesel and Where Can You Find It?

What is biodiesel exactly? Biodiesel is a renewable and sustainable fuel that is made from natural and organic sources. It is a type of biofuel that is derived from vegetable oils, animal fats and other organic materials. Biodiesel is gaining popularity as an alternative fuel source due to its environmental and economic benefits. In this blog post, we'll explore what is biodiesel, how it is made, its advantages and its limitations.

What is biodiesel fuel?

Biodiesel is a fuel that is made from natural and organic materials, including vegetable oils and animal fats. The raw materials used for making biodiesel are usually obtained from renewable sources such as soybeans, palm oil and other crops. Biodiesel fuel can be used in diesel engines, and it is usually blended with petroleum diesel to improve its performance and reduce emissions.

How is biodiesel made?

Biodiesel is made through a process called transesterification. In this process, the triglycerides (fatty acids) in vegetable oils or animal fats are reacted with an alcohol (usually methanol) and a catalyst (usually sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide) to produce biodiesel and glycerin. The chemical reaction breaks down the triglycerides into their constituent parts, which are then recombined to form biodiesel and glycerin. The biodiesel is then washed to remove any impurities.

Advantages of biodiesel fuel

Biodiesel fuel has several advantages over traditional petroleum-based diesel fuel. First, it is a renewable and sustainable fuel source. The raw materials used to make it can be grown and replenished, unlike fossil fuels, which are finite resources. Second, biodiesel produces lower emissions than petroleum diesel. It produces fewer greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide. It also produces fewer pollutants such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which can be harmful to human health and the environment. Third, biodiesel is biodegradable and non-toxic, making it safer to handle and store than petroleum.

Limitations of biodiesel fuel

Despite its advantages, biodiesel fuel also has some limitations. First, it can be more expensive to produce than petroleum diesel. The raw materials used to make biodiesel can be more expensive than crude oil, which is used to make petroleum diesel. Second, biodiesel has a lower energy density than petroleum diesel. This might result in reduced fuel economy and engine performance for some vehicles. Although, the lubricity in biodiesel can also help prevent premature wear and tear on vehicle engines, which could be beneficial in the long run. Third, biodiesel can more easily gel in cold temperatures, which can cause problems for engines in colder climates.

How do I purchase biodiesel?

If a gas station or truck stop carries biodiesel, then you can purchase it just like any other fuel. Some fleet fuel cards have product controls that can limit access to biodiesel or other products. Also, you do not need a special permit to purchase biodiesel, like you do with dyed diesel. 

Types of biodiesel blends

Biodiesel can be blended with petroleum diesel in different proportions to create different blends of biodiesel. The most common blends are:

• B5: B5 is a blend of 5% biodiesel and 95% petroleum diesel. It is the most commonly used biodiesel blend in the United States. B5 can be used in any diesel engine without modification, and it provides some of the environmental benefits of biodiesel while maintaining engine performance.
• B20: B20 is a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel. It is also a commonly used biodiesel blend in the United States. B20 biodiesel can be used in most diesel engines with little to no modification, and it provides significant environmental benefits compared to petroleum diesel.
• B100: B100 is pure biodiesel, with no petroleum diesel blended in. B100 can be used in diesel engines that have been modified to run on biodiesel. B100 provides the greatest environmental benefits of any biodiesel blend, but it requires modifications to the vehicle and can be more expensive than other blends.
• Other blends: Other biodiesel blends, such as B2 (2% biodiesel and 98% petroleum diesel), B10 (10% biodiesel and 90% petroleum diesel), and B50 (50% biodiesel and 50% petroleum diesel) are also available. These blends provide varying degrees of environmental benefits.

It is important to note that different blends of biodiesel have different properties than pure petroleum diesel, including different viscosity, lubricity and cold weather performance. Although many diesel engines can use biodiesel, be sure to check with your engine manufacturer or a qualified mechanic before using biodiesel blends in your engine.

How do I find biodiesel near me?

Biodiesel is available at various locations across the United States. Certain fuel cards like the CFN card include access to commercial fuel stations that carry biodiesel, among other fuel products. This can be a useful option for businesses and trucking fleets that want access to biodiesel and the benefits of a fuel management program. Below is a list of locations that carry biodiesel products:

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