Art-ology

Biodiesel is still somewhat unknown in society and this has led to many incorrect stories, myths and crazy tales. Some things must be cleared up and we should understand that biodiesel fuel is neither experimental, inconsistent or likely to lead to damage or failure, as it has been around for more than eight decades since it was first invented!

There have been many independent tests showing that biodiesel performs as well as petro diesel, yet can benefit both the environment and our health as well. A large number of tests have taken place and they all point to the same thing. Within the US, the Energy Department, Agriculture Department and the EPA have all looked into the situation and reported positively.

Recently, the EPA has called on powers given to it by the Clean Air Act of 1990 and said that greenhouse gases are hazardous to human health. We are now likely to see big consequences for traditional energy sources and fuels and those that emit high levels of carbon. We should know that biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to qualify and pass under the auspices of the Clean Air Act.

Performance related tests have been conducted over more than 50,000,000 miles and have shown that biodiesel is comparable to petro diesel in all types of diesel engined vehicles. The option can be used in regular diesel engines without any modification. It can either be used neat or blended with regular diesel. Biodiesel gives better lubricity and can result in longer life and less wear within the engine.

Among all alternative fuels, bio diesel scores the highest in terms of energy performance.

In northern climates, cold weather is a big consideration for transportation. While biodiesel will react to cold extremes, just as conventional diesel does, the same method should be used to prepare your vehicles during those cold snaps and no additional measures are required. In these cases, indoor storage or fuel heating should be considered.

Some people believe that biodiesel can cause filtration problems, but this is only likely when the fuel is first added to a regular diesel engine. In its purest form, biodiesel is a solvent and as a result, may release deposits which have accumulated on the walls of the tank or in pipes. Consequently, the fuel filter should be replaced the first-time biodiesel is used and there should be no issues from then on.

While making biodiesel may be a little more expensive than buying conventional petro diesel, this should be more than negated by an increase in the quality of the fuel used and better overall performance. You can expect longer engine life as a consequence. In addition, carbon emission levels are considerably reduced, with increased reductions as a stronger blend is used. When you are making homemade biodiesel, so long as the right precautions are taken, you can expect the fuel to contribute to a reduction in the size of your carbon footprint. Take the leap, and make a change for the better by helping the environment, for this generation, and for all the generations that follow!