6.0
Advantages of biodiesel
The
benefits of biodiesel are:
- The
lifecycle production and use of biodiesel produces approximately 80% less carbon
dioxide emissions, and almost 100% less sulphur dioxide. Combustion of biodiesel
alone produces over a 90% reduction in total unburned hydrocarbons, and a 75-90%
reduction in aromatic hydrocarbons. Biodiesel further provides significant reductions
in particulates and carbon monoxide than conventional diesel fuel.
- Biodiesel
is the only alternative fuel that runs in any conventional, unmodified diesel
engine.
- Needs no change
in refueling infrastructures and spare part inventories.
- Maintains
the payload capacity and range of conventional diesel engines.
- Diesel
skilled mechanics can easily attend to biodiesel engines.
- 100%
domestic fuel.
- Neat
biodiesel fuel is non-toxic and biodegradable. Based on Ames Mutagenicity tests,
biodiesel provides a 90% reduction in cancer risks.
- Cetane
number is significantly higher than that of conventional diesel fuel.
- Lubricity
is improved over that of conventional diesel fuel.
- Has
a high flash point of about 300 F compared to that of conventional diesel, which
has a flash point of 125 F.
6.1
Disadvantages of biodiesel
Some
of the disadvantages of biodiesel are:
- Quality
of biodiesel depends on the blend thus quality can be tampered.
- Biodiesel
has excellent solvent properties. Any deposits in the filters and in the delivery
systems may be dissolved by biodiesel and result in need for replacement of the
filters.
- There may
be problems of winter operatibility.
- Spills
of biodiesel can decolorize any painted surface if left for long.
- Neat
biodiesel demands compatible elastomers (hoses, guskets, etc.).
6.2
Operation & Performance
- Horsepower,
fuel economy and torque are similar to those of conventional diesel fuel engines.
- Cetane
number is higher than that of conventional diesel fuel.
- Improved
lubricity.
- No engine
modification required when used in compression ignition engines.
- Range
of vehicle akin to that of conventional diesel vehicles.
