Hydrogen Fuel Cars: In Response to the High Price of Gasoline?

The recent increase in petrol prices, people have another reason to opt for alternative means of transport. Increased cost of gas, using May, motivated many people clamor for alternative forms of transport would enter an era in which people no longer have to depend much on the so-called oil industry.
But with the shift to find alternative sources of transportation, many researchers have begun to interact with other types of alternative fuels for future cars. One of the most attractive and in fact the most attractive approach is to use hydrogen power to run the machines. It will be only temporary until the hydrogen battery vehicles will be used as the primary traffic on the streets. BTU, what is it?

Hydrogen cars are relatively new type of vehicle with hydrogen as its main on-board fuel. Hydrogen cars are not different from conventional cars that there is another type of engine to move the vehicle. There are two ways that this is possible.
This type of hydrogen car from the combustion of hydrogen fuel, like what happened with the gasoline engine. Hydrogen engine is actually a modified version of the traditional gasoline internal combustion engines. This process takes place in May, largely the same as the number of combustion of hydrogen gives explosive power, the engine produces mechanical energy to move the car.

The tangible benefits of hydrogen power vehicle, sees that it is using clean fuel source for power. This means that the use of hydrogen as a fuel makes it less environmentally harmful substances and chemicals emitted into the atmosphere. Indeed, the hydrogen car concept was implemented, as researchers have opted for a cleaner alternative fuels for use in the future to replace oil. And it is clear that hydrogen is suitable bill quite nicely.
Another type of hydrogen car developed today makes use of hydrogen fuel cells to power instead of specialized internal combustion engine. In this set-up, hydrogen is used to generate electricity and that can be used to the car of an electric motor. So emissions avoided entirely, unlike a car with the internal combustion engine (ICE) that run on hydrogen.

Although the use of hydrogen fuel cells Eye is to have a better chance for hydrogen cars energy in the future, May next plan still some obstacles. One of them, hydrogen fuel cells are too expensive to deal with existing technologies. Not only that hydrogen fuel cells also usually very vulnerable and sensitive to vibration and sudden movements. Engineers are still trying to develop and type of hydrogen fuel cells, which are strong enough to withstand the vibrations often strike, which usually comes with traveling by car. And at the same time, it would be necessary for a better and more affordable technology for the manufacture of hydrogen fuel cells, to make it cheaper for consumers.

But despite the problems that have so far on the development of a hydrogen car, his future remains very bright. What makes it especially attractive vehicles hydrogen batteries so that hydrogen is a renewable source of energy. This is unlike fossil fuels, which takes place sooner or later, and could lead to even greater increases in the price of gasoline. Hydrogen cars would be the logical alternative to the world searching for a means to move away from too much dependence on fossil fuels.

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+ Combating High Diesel Fuel Prices

Diesel Fuel Prices to Skyrocket - Water as the Next Best Option

The title says it all, and here's why: first of all, everyone's feeling the pinch of fuel prices. And it's not just the average Joes, it's everyone. Yes, even those who are high up in the economic world -- those who own airlines, investment companies, real estate, you name it. We're hearing about airlines asking passengers to pay for their airline food so they don't have to raise prices. Investment companies are crashing in the United States and the whole world feels the earth quake. Real estate firms are closing down buildings and liquidating their funds to stay afloat. All this because of diesel fuel prices.

If people were a tad ambitious or daring, we could go for something that has been proposed a few years ago as an alternative to diesel fuel -- water. First of all, it makes the car start and run. That's the most important thing we need to consider when dealing with alternative fuels. Second, it's inexpensive as compared to gasoline or diesel. Even if we say that gasoline is cheaper than diesel, there is still a substantial difference between using gasoline or diesel and using water. There may be some power technicalities, and car aficionados who love racing would attest to that, but the reality is that it works. Surveys show that people would consider using water as fuel for their cars if it means saving buckets of money that goes to the cashier at the gas pump.

The concept of water being used as fuel is simple. You will be using Hydrogen gas or H2 gas instead of diesel fuel or gasoline. Right now, technology still doesn't permit us to utilize 100% Hydrogen gas on a car. It is usually mixed with a little bit of diesel, but still it reduces the money you'll have to pay for diesel fuel. When you use the hybrid of diesel and hydrogen gas in your car, your car runs efficiently and it will get you to where you need to go.

How does water fuel come about? Here's a quick look at the science behind this amazing piece of technology. Electrolysis is the process by which water is converted to usable hydrogen gas. The device that initiates the electrolysis gets its power from the car's battery -- the circuit is fired up and hydrogen gas is ready to go. The gas is then released into the engine's air intake system where it travels through the combustion chambers and mixes with a little bit of diesel. This economical mixture of hydrogen gas and diesel makes for a perfect combination that maximizes the car's mileage and saves you gas money which is essentially the whole point of using alternative fuels.

You may think that there will be some complicated mumbo jumbo that you need to figure out before your car can run on water, but it's really easy to set up. Just make a visit to the hardware store, get all the things you need, come back home, get on the internet, and search for step by step instructions. That's basically all you need to do to save on gas money. Soon enough you'll see your savings skyrocket as high as the diesel fuel prices themselves.

Projection for Diesel Fuel Prices

For as long as the prices of crude oil and the demand for distillate fuels are maintained at a high level, the retail diesel fuel prices will in most likelihood be high, too.  The Energy Information Association (EIA) has released a report on what is likely to happen for remainder of 2008 and 2009 for the United States.  It states that the national average retail prices for diesel fuel will reach its highest point during the third quarter of 2008 then it will decline by the fourth quarter of 2009.

However, these are just projections; hence, there is no assurance or guarantee because it can be greatly affected by the instability and unpredictability of the prices of crude oil and petroleum products.  Among the many factors that affect the prices, below are the main ones that are faced by United States, especially the West Coast countries:

The Effect of Sulfur on Prices

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for diesel fuel sulfur content can also alter the prices for diesel fuel.  What needs to be taken into consideration is the logistics of delivery of the Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel to retail service stations.  Most of these products are transported via pipelines to reach the bulk terminals then to tanker trucks then finally to the retail stations.  Contamination may happen to the ULSD fuel because these pipelines, storage, and local distribution systems also serve to deliver other diesel fuels and petroleum products, which have higher sulfur content.  If a batch of ULSD fuel gets contaminated, it might not be an option to mix it with additional low-sulfur product to bring back its sulfur content to the original level.  The contaminated batch has to be returned to get reprocessed in a refinery, and this solution is a difficult and expensive one.  More so, the production of ULSD fuel entails a big expense to begin with.  So any problems that might arise along the way with regard to delivery will just add up to the expense.

Geography and Taxes

Another factor that affects the prices of diesel fuel in the United States is the geography.  West Coast countries have generally higher prices than the other parts of the country.  This holds true especially for California because of the taxes and issues on the supply.  These countries add more tax—that is, they combine the state and local taxes, and add another tax value on top of the federal excise tax and state tax.  Washington is one of the countries that have the highest tax.

Geography and Relief Supplies

The West Coast countries also have higher prices for diesel fuel because they have relatively fewer supply sources.  Because majority of the refineries in this region are located in California, a single refinery that encounters difficulties in operations will greatly affect the diesel supply.  In turn, this may elevate the prices because there will be fewer supply to meet the high demand.  More so, the West Coast is very far from the Gulf Coast and other foreign refineries—that is, any fluctuation on supply-demand will generally result in price fluctuation because it will take some time to transport relief supplies to these countries.  The farther the relief supplies are, the higher the diesel fuels prices will be and the longer it will remain at such price.

Combating High Diesel Fuel Prices

With the gasoline and diesel fuel prices increasing, people have come up with various solutions to go around this situation.  One of these solutions is the use of diesel fuel additives.  Primarily they are known to increase lubricity of fuel, hence decreasing the wear and tear of engine parts.  What is more is that it also can increase gas mileage.

Being a highly complex fuel, diesel fuel’s chemical structure changes from the time it leaves the refinery to the time it is pumped into holding tanks and fuel station to the time it gets pumped into the vehicle.  Oxidization and structural changes occur in the fuel molecules.  The energy per unit volume of the fuel can change during this phase, and this is what will cause your engine to have poor performance.

To combat the effects of fuel degradation and increase the fuel’s cetane value (discussed in detail below), the right type and ratio of fuel additives have to be used.  Among a myriad of benefits, the engine will be able to obtain more power from a gallon of fuel.

Diesel fuel has more energy per gallon as compared to gasoline.  The three types of diesel fuel are 1D, 2D, and a combination of the two.  The lighter grade is 1D, and it offers less energy than 2D.  It is more commonly used to reduce, if not eliminate, the gelling of fuel during cold winter climates; some people combine it with 2D.

The cetane rating denotes the diesel fuel’s ignition quality.  The higher the rating, the easier the fuel burns evenly and the more power is produced.  The average diesel fuel is at the 40-cetane level.  Large diesel trucks and diesel pickup trucks prefer a cetane rating in the 45- to 50- level; this is considered as the premium diesel.  However, this is not a general categorization—that is, the state’s regulations will dictate at which cetane rating is diesel fuel considered premium.

You should check with the fuel station with regard to the cetane ratings of the fuel they are selling.  The higher the cetane rating, the better the drivability as well as reduced emissions.  Moreover, the driver of the vehicle can feel the change in power (for the better).

Choosing the right diesel fuel additive can assure you that the diesel fuel will perform at its maximum because of its optimum quality.  Here are some of the effects of a good quality diesel fuel additive:

- Reduces Cylinder Wear:

It neutralizes acids during combustion.  It minimizes the wear of the acidic cylinder and it reduces the rate of engine oil depletion; thus, maintaining the quality of the engine oil for better protection.

- Minimizes Soot Loading:

It cleans fuel injectors and piston rings for better combustion and sealing.  This reduces soot loading, controls soot-related wear, and increases engine oil viscosity.

- Stabilizes Fuel:

Fuel degradation increases deposits, which can promote the plugging of filter.  The additive improves oxidation and thermal stability of the diesel fuel.

- Improves Fuel Economy:

It cleans dirty injectors as it improves the acceleration and restores horsepower, and in the long run it will enhance performance.

- Improves Water Tolerance:

An alcohol-free additive protects fuel systems against water contamination, helping to prevent emulsions.  It also protects the metal against rust.

To combat the increasing diesel fuel prices, you can consider using a diesel fuel additive and experience the change in your expenses as well as the drivability of your vehicle.

How the Industry Arrives at Diesel Fuel Prices

The movement in diesel fuel prices has had a strong impact in a variety of industries that makes use of diesel not only in running machinery, but also in transporting goods. This is because the use of diesel in transportation and energy underlie a huge number of functions in everyday life. Majority of delivery trucks, public transport vehicles like trains, buses, boats, ships and barges, and even construction and farming equipment, make use of engines that run on diesel fuel. This means that as the prices of diesel fuel soar, the costs required in facilitating the activities of which these vehicles and equipment take part in also increase. This either reduces the amount of profit these industries can have, or makes them have to choose the unfortunate option of levying costs on the retail prices they offer their consumers.

Regardless, anyone who has a stake in the way diesel prices change or move should at least attempt to understand what drives these fuel prices from going up or going down. By understanding what drives these movements and how the prices are determined, one is able to better foresee and interpret the various economic indicators that usually point to a time of increases in prices and the like.

In order to determine how fuel prices are derived, it’s important to first look at the costs associated with its production for availability in the retail market. The first cost to take into consideration is the cost of buying crude oil. Crude oil is the primary ingredient required in the production of a variety of fuels, including diesel fuel, gasoline, and even distillate heating oil. Crude oil prices are traded in the international market, which subjects it to the dynamics of international supply and demand. The limited supply of available crude oil from oil-producing countries, and the growing need or demand for energy worldwide has helped maintained competitive prices in the industry.

Next, crude oil enters the process of refining. This is the stage where crude oil is processed into the different forms of fuel it will become. Gasoline and diesel fuel primarily differ in the refining process that is used for it. Originally, better-refined gasoline was more expensive than diesel fuel; however, the costs of processing gasoline were overrun by the price impact of excess demand for diesel fuel. Diesel fuel and distillate heating oil, on the other hand, are processed using the same refining process. This is the reason why the increase in prices in one affects and increases the prices of the other.

Costs in order to bring the refined oil to the market—both marketing and distribution—also add material and at times, expensive costs to diesel fuel. This is because the transportation of oil, the marketing and advertising operations of the oil firms, and the manpower necessary to run all these operations, all involve costs that the company must incur in order to sell the final refined oil product to the market. Gasoline stations from where people get both gasoline and diesel fuel also incur costs for operations, a part of which is also levied on the retail prices of refined oil.

Over and above these production costs, governments levy taxes on oil products, creating greater impetus to increase fuel prices. It is the combination of these cost contributors that determine the dynamics of diesel fuel prices in the retail market.

Diesel Fuel Prices versus Gasoline Prices

Why Diesel Fuel Is More Expensive Than Gasoline

History has it that the gasoline prices have been higher than the diesel fuel prices.  But then again, this does not always hold true.  During some winters, the demand for distillate heating oil increases which also raises the price of diesel fuel—so much so that is becomes more expensive than gasoline.

In the United States since September 2004, the price of diesel fuel has been by and large higher than the price of gasoline all year round and this is due to numerous reasons.  The worldwide steady increase of demand for diesel fuel and other distillate fuel oils has put pressure on the tight global refining capacity—more so with the strong demand of such products in China, Europe, and the United States.

The transition from low sulfur diesel (LSD) fuel to ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel in the United States has affected the diesel fuel production and distribution costs.  This is due to the new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for diesel fuel sulfur content.

Another reason for this shift in the norm between gasoline and diesel fuel prices is that the federal excise tax on the latter is higher than the tax on gasoline.

The Primary Factors Affecting The Price Of Diesel

Cost and supply of crude oil – The worldwide supply and demand of crude oil determines its price, and the rising demand has put great pressure on the supply.  The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has all of the spare production capacity and possesses a significant percentage of the world’s crude oil reserves.  The prices spike as a response to the disorder in the international and domestic crude oil supply.

Tight refining capacity and international diesel fuel demand – Refineries in the United States have been in operations at around 90-percent capacity.  Other countries depend more heavily on distillates and diesel fuel than does United States, thus making the refining capacity tight worldwide.  Competing international demand for refined distillates affects the price of diesel fuel in the United States.

Product supply/demand imbalances – The prices of other commodities are more stable as compared to the prices of fuels because of the dependence on petroleum and because there are few alternative fuels in the market.  The stocks decline fast if the supply declines unexpectedly.  When stocks are low and declining, some players may bid higher for the product.  Prices will stay high if the diesel fuel transportation system cannot support the flow of surplus supplies.

Seasonality in the demand for diesel fuel and distillates – The price of diesel fuel slowly rises during the fall, declines in the late winter, rises through the early spring, and then declines in the summer.  The demand by farmers during the different seasons creates an upward pressure on the diesel prices.

Transportation costs – The distance between the retail location and distribution terminals and refineries has a direct relationship with the transportation cost—that is, an increase in one increases the other.

Regional operating costs and local competition – Depending on the location of the dealer, the cost of doing business varies which include wages and salaries, benefits, equipment, lease, insurance, overhead, and state and local fees.  Even if retail stations are in close proximity to one another, they still have differing costs.  Another factor that affects diesel fuel prices is the number and location of the local competitors.

What Constitutes Diesel Fuel Prices?

Tracing its name from its German inventor, Rudolf Diesel, diesel fuel is what is used in the compression ignition engines of motor vehicles.  It is important to a country’s economy, quality of life, and national security.  Any fluctuation of its price will have an effect on how people live because of its direct and indirect relationship with the other consumer products.  There are different factors that determine diesel fuel prices but first we have to have an understanding of how it is produced and used.

Diesel Fuel Quality and the Environment

From crude oil, there are a lot of products that can be produced.  These are gasoline, diesel, other distillates (heating oil), heavy fuel oil (residual), jet fuel, liquefied petroleum gases (LPG), and other products.  There are different grades or types of petroleum diesel.  The Number 2 type is the main source for motor diesel fuel utilized in the United States.  It is the same type used for heating buildings and in the industry.

It has relatively low sulfur content, which is an important characteristic tested for diesel fuels.  In 2006, the new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for diesel fuel sulfur content were implemented.  Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel which has a sulfur content of less than 15 parts per million (ppm) had to be sold in the United States, which in turn replaced most of the Low Sulfur Diesel (LSD) fuel.

Diesel engines can be found in nearly all semi-trucks, delivery vehicles, buses, trains, ships, boats and barges, as well as farm, construction and military vehicles and vehicles.  Because of this widespread use, people have always been thinking of ways to manufacture products that are safe for the environment.  Biodiesel falls under this category and is produced from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant grease.  Its name denotes that it is biodegradable and can lessen vehicle emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and particulates.

Diesel Fuel Production and Delivery

In the United States, most diesel fuel that is consumed is produced in their local refineries.  Additionally, a small percentage of fuel is mainly imported from Canada and the Virgin Islands.  From both local and imported crude oil, diesel fuel is manufactured by the local refineries and it is transported by pipeline from these refineries and ports to the terminals in close proximity to the main consuming areas.  Then it is put in tanker trucks for delivery to retail service stations.

Diesel Fuel Cost Components

Inclusive in the cost to manufacture and transport diesel fuel to the consumers are the costs of crude oil, refinery processing, marketing and distribution, and retail station operation.  The costs and profits of the refiners, marketers, distributors, and retail station owners are reflected in the retail pump price.  The comparative share of these cost components to the retail price varies over time and among the country’s regions.

The price at the pump also is inclusive of federal, state, and local taxes.  In other states, counties, and city governments levy additional taxes.  Local market conditions and other factors such as the location and the marketing strategy of the owner are reflected in the retail price as well.

The components of diesel fuel prices can be broken down into the following (from highest to lowest percentage):  crude oil, refining, taxes, and distribution and marketing.  Knowing this information will give the consumers a clearer picture why the prices are pegged at such and why they fluctuate.

For me, Biodiesel Fuel is the best constitutes for high priced of diesel fuel.

Why Diesel Fuel Prices Are So High??

Diesel fuel prices used to be less than gasoline prices.  But a lot of people are now wondering why diesel fuel costs higher than gasoline.  The primary reason is the increasing global demand.  The other factors would be environmental restrictions and higher federal taxes.  (All of these will be tackled in detail below.)

What people do not realize is that the pattern shifts.  During the summer, people tend to use their vehicles for vacations; this in turn increases the cost of gasoline.  During the winter, people tend to stay at home and generate a high demand for heating oil; this in turn increases the cost of diesel fuel.  The correlation between heating oil and diesel is that they are similar fuel and that the price of the heating oil tends to set a floor for diesel.

The widening spread between the prices of diesel fuel and gasoline is partly due to the lull in the demand for gasoline, which can be attributed to high prices and soft economy.  If people would just increase their consumption as rapidly as before, then the prices of gasoline would be higher.  In return, the spread between the prices of diesel fuel and gasoline will not be as wide as it is now.

Increasing Global Demand

There is an increasing demand for diesel fuel worldwide—that is, in the United States, Europe, China, and India.  In Europe, more vehicles with diesel engines were sold in the past few years.  More than 50 percent of new registrations for 2007 were diesel-consuming vehicles.  In India, the same trend applies:  the numbers of new vehicles sold have doubled in five years, and 30 percent of which is diesel-powered.  This percentage is projected to reach 50 percent by 2010.  In China, the increasing demand for diesel fuel is in direct proportion with its economy.  With them hosting the Olympics plus the earthquake that hit them recently, higher demand for diesel fuel is foreseen to avoid interruptions and to run heavy equipment and emergency generators.

Environmental Restrictions

The shift to ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel in the United States is an ongoing project since 2006.  Its goal is to apply this standard to all on-highway diesel fuel by December 2010.  There are also standards for off-highway diesel fuel such as fuel for generators, construction machinery, and marine use.  This drastic change is an expensive process altogether as it will target the production of all diesel fuel, which in turn has affected the selling price of diesel fuel.  A projection has it that this expensive process would require refiners to invest a large amount of money, and this will make them increase the prices of diesel fuel between 2007 and 2011.  Moreover, a production bottleneck will probably result in higher price spikes.

Higher Federal Taxes

The tax for diesel fuel is higher than the tax for gasoline.  And naturally, the higher the tax, the higher will be the price at the pump.  This has been the trend for several years, and this is the explanation why diesel has sold for an average of 1.3 percent more than gasoline over a specific period of time.

There are more factors affecting diesel fuel prices.  Having an understanding how the pricing works will help you find ways to go around the soaring prices.  And with this knowledge, you can have a grasp of the trends and create your own projection to aid your budget planning.

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+ Make Biodiesel at Home Now, and forget about the rising of diesel fuel prices.

What Can You Do About Rising Diesel Fuel Prices?

Diesel fuel is one of the most important commodities on the economic landscape. The reason for this is that the transportation used in almost all aspects of the economy is fueled by diesel engines. Rising diesel fuel prices usually translate to rising costs of products and services. In order to know what can be done to slow down this increase, you as a consumer need to understand its causes.

Elements of Worth

There are several basic elements that determine the worth of a gallon of diesel. About sixty percent of the cost of diesel reflects the price of crude oil, which is raw material for diesel production. Crude oil is purchased from oil producing countries and subsequently brought to refineries where the ultra-low sulfur diesel, among other petroleum products, is extracted. Given a barrel of crude, a refinery will be able to distill about one tenth of a barrel of diesel. Refining accounts for nearly twenty percent of diesel fuel cost.

The remaining elements of the cost of diesel fuel are government taxes and the expense of marketing and distribution. A ten percent excise tax is levied onto all fuel products that are manufactured in the country. Although foreign fuel avoids this, it is generally cheaper to buy locally refined fuel as import taxes generally translate to higher unit price. Marketing and distribution only makes up five percent of total diesel fuel cost, but this can often be the most volatile factor affecting the value of diesel fuel.

Origins of Increase

Basically, the price of everything is dependent on supply and demand. If supply is low and demand is high, prices will go up. If supply is plentiful, the price will stay steady, and may even decrease when demand wanes.

Crude oil supply is dependent on oil producing countries, so anything that disrupts their production activities, like wars or economic embargoes, will drive the price of both world crude and diesel up. Refining costs are generally pretty stable, but both local and foreign companies compete for refined fuel. If the demand of foreign countries for the diesel produced by local refineries increases, this can ultimately result in elevated fuel costs.

The most unstable factor that affects diesel fuel is undoubtedly local marketing and distribution. Diesel fuel is in such high and constant demand that fuel stockpiles are generally pretty shallow. This means that if there is a sudden spike in fuel consumption, the warehoused supply will not be enough and this will drive the price of fuel up. Another factor is distance; consumers close to refineries tend to pay less because they avoid transportation costs. Local competition also plays an important role in regulating fuel prices.

Control Stems from Understanding

World supply and demand, international politics, economic pressures, all of these play interrelated roles in the cost of fuel. Though they seem beyond the comprehension of the non-economist layman, it all really boils down to supply and demand, and this is something anyone can understand. Saving fuel and lowering consumption is not only good for the environment; it decreases demand, and ultimately, cost. Programs which promote peace and goodwill among nations do not only make a better world; they result in less disruption of supply lines, and again, decrease fuel costs.

The factors that affect diesel fuel prices seem complex, but an understanding of the basic principles can empower the individual consumer. Unsurprisingly, it would seem that doing the right thing really is the right thing to do. So what can you do about rising diesel fuel prices? You could try to make biodiesel fuel at home now :).

Understanding the Increase in Diesel Fuel Prices

It was only in recent years that diesel fuel prices soared above gas prices. These two fuel categories used to have different peak seasons, with gasoline prices enjoying greater primacy in pricing over longer months. Gasoline then had the biggest gap in prices from diesel fuel during the summer months, when demand for gasoline peaked as a result of families taking long drives across states. Meanwhile, diesel fuels scored higher prices during the winter months, when the demand for distilled heating oils used at home increases as well. This is because distilled heating oil and diesel fuels are refined in the same facility using the same process, causing the demand for diesel fuel and distilled heating oil to act in a parallel manner.

The increase in the base price levels of both gasoline and diesel fuel has been primarily driven by the worldwide increase in crude oil prices. Crude oil is the basic ingredient from where different forms of fuels are derived from.

However, there are three particular reasons why the demand for diesel fuel have increased over time, the first being increasing demand, the second being the slackening demand for gasoline, and third being new environmental restrictions on gasoline.

First, there has been an increasing demand all over the world for diesel because of the increase in number of diesel-powered engines. In years when gasoline prices soared over diesel prices, car manufacturers produced cheaper diesel-powered vehicles in order to capture the market of consumers who wanted to save on gasoline prices. However, the fact that these diesel-powered vehicles have outsold gasoline-powered ones has obviously caused more people demanding diesel fuel to run their engines. This trend is true not only in the United States, but also in China, Europe, and India. With a limited supply of diesel fuel produced annually, increases in demand causes the price to distort upward.

In addition, the relative increase of prices of diesel fuel products have made gas prices appear much cheaper, especially with less people choosing to buy gasoline. Increasing consumption of diesel fuel has driven up its prices, whereas a near steady to decreasing consumption of gasoline has led to its price to remain stable, if not decreasing as well over time. This increases the relative price gap between the two.

Lastly, government legislation has caused the regulation that requires the reduction of sulphur content in diesel from 500 million parts per gallon to 15 parts per gallon. The process of reducing sulphur in diesel to this extent will cause greater expense in refining and producing retail-ready diesel fuel for consumption. In the year 2006, the goal was to have 80% of motorist traffic complying with this ordinance; by 2010, 100% of diesel available in the market must comply. As with all industries, the cost of additional stages of processing will be levied on the final retail prices of diesel fuels, causing a greater increase in prices above the already significant impact that high demand has on it.

When looking at diesel prices, it is important to appreciate what drives the increases in prices, and even the standards for when people say prices have increased. For the latter, the relative increase in diesel prices in conjunction to the relative stability or decrease of gasoline prices has increased the perception of more expensive diesel prices. The drivers for increases in diesel fuel prices, however, remain to be that of increasing demand for the limited supply of diesel fuel, as well as costly processing of diesel in order for it to comply with environmental standards.

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+ Make Biodisel at Home and Forget about High Diesel Fuel Prices

The Basic Fact Sheet on Diesel Fuel Prices

As consumers, the basic basket of goods that we often purchase in the course of everyday involves diesel and other fuel products, making us susceptible to the impact of diesel fuel prices. Diesel fuel, gasoline, and oil are used not only in running cars and other transport vehicles, but also are used for cooking, heating the home, and powering diesel-powered equipment like snow-blowers, lawn-mowers, and the like. A huge chunk of expenditure goes to purchasing fuel to run these vital activities, which would justify trying to understand as much as one can about how it is priced and where the product itself is from.

To start with, diesel fuel is one of the refined versions derived from basic crude oil. Other forms of crude oil that results from refining include gasoline and distillate heating oil. This fuel type was named after Rudolf Diesel, the German engineer who created ignition engines that make use of diesel fuel.

Diesel petroleum is in fact a distillate of crude oil. While there are many types of distillates that can be derived from crude oil, Number 2 distillate is what is distributed for use in vehicles and equipment in many countries; it is also the same oil base used for distillate heating oils used to heat buildings and run industrial plants.

The chain of processes that create the value inherent in diesel fuel begins from the moment crude oil is purchased. Crude oil, as mentioned previously, is the base ingredient from where diesel fuel is derived. This base ingredient is traded internationally, with price determined by supply and demand dynamics. Crude oil is primarily produced by oil-exporting countries, all of which often belong to big oil cartels that dominate the supply dynamics in the market.

The demand for energy is not limited to the United States, but expands across Europe, China, and India. The thirst for energy for consumption occurs both in the level of industry, as well as individual consumers. On the consumer level, this means that the strong preference for diesel-powered vehicles has led to the need for diesel fuel in order to maintain the operations of these vehicles. In the industry level, expanding economies like China and India, and more stable economies like European ones, all rely on the supply of diesel fuel to run many of their transport sectors and even many of their industries. The high demand from both sectors has driven the prices of diesel fuel up: with limited supply, people use money in order to gain preferential access to the resource.

In addition, governments play a role in determining how diesel fuels arrive at the point of mass consumption. Governments levy hefty taxes on oil refining and distribution companies, many of which already run the regular gas pumping stations. Also, governments have required the reduction of sulphur content in diesel fuel, creating an expensive additional stage in the refining process to reduce sulphur. The additional burden of tax, the cost of operating distribution through gas pumping stations, and the cost of building infrastructure to enable them to comply with government ordinances have driven diesel prices to higher levels even if production costs considerations were ignored.

Knowing these drivers, and just what this resource is all about, allows consumers to better appreciate the dynamics of the energy industry. They will also be able to use their common knowledge of market dynamics in order to predict or protect themselves from diesel fuel prices inflation.

Suggested Reading:

+ Make Biodiesel from Home

+ Procedure to Make Biodiesel Fuel from Used Motor Oil

What about Waste Vegetable Oil for Biodiesel Fuel?

You do not want to blame your wife, since she is not at fault. Can you do anything to curb the expenses of essentials that are shooting up through the roof? To compound the problem prices of fuel too has gone up. May of you have also read about alternative fuels and are thinking about switching over to the same in an effort to reduce your monthly expenses and yet use your car.

You have no doubt heard about biodiesel fuels but have you heard about waste vegetable oil fuel? You might be having doubts, but there are many waste vegetable oils lying in your kitchen that can actually be used to produce alternative fuel. For the doubting folks amongst you, these vegetables can be used as a source for making alternative fuel. Just by adding lye and methanol in the used vegetable oil you can make biodiesel. The used vegetable oil is generally quite thick but adding methanol and lye into it makes it thinner in consistency and makes it compatible to biodiesel which is used in many cars nowadays as an alternative fuel.

It is therefore recommended that you do not throw away the used vegetable oil. Instead keep it in a clean container and store it properly. You can also take the used vegetable oils from your kitchen and add the same to yours. When you have gathered a good amount of the same, you can use it to make biodiesel. Just do a brief and concise research on the net and you will find many sites that will provide you with necessary instructions for converting that stored and used vegetable oil to biodiesel.

Suggested Reading:
+ WVO for Sale
+ How to make Biodiesel from Home?

More about Biodiesel Fuel from Algae

It’s high time you accepted the reality and there is no need shunning away from the same. There are many families that are cutting down on their expenses on various things including some essentials too, so that they can save some money for fulfilling their spiraling fuel costs. Commuting is something that they cannot avoid. They have to go to their place of work so that they are able to bring home their pay packet at the end of the month.

If spending extra money on diesel means cutting down on some essentials, so be it. However these people need not worry and help will soon be at hand in the form of alternative fuels. Escalating fuel prices have to be counteracted upon and this is being done with cheap fuels like biodiesel fuel. While there are schools of thought that believe that biodiesel fuel produced from soybeans and corn are the best answer, the truth is that biodiesel fuels from algae are the best bet.

A look at the statistics will reveal the truth. An acre of soybeans will help to produce just 50 gallons of biodiesel and it is much less for corn, which produces just 20 gallons of biodiesel per acre. Compare this with algae which helps produce 10,000 gallons of biodiesel and you will understand why this is the preferred choice. This is the prime reason why oil-manufacturing companies that produce biodiesel are looking towards algae to meet their production needs.

Does Waste Oil for Biodiesel Really Work?

Have you ever given a though about the world? Do you know about global warming and pollution and have you ever tried to figure out a way so that you can combat it effectively? Surely, you must have read about the million of tonnes of greenhouse gases that are produced every year due to the burning of diesel in cars and trucks. There is an alternative way you can save your planet and also lighten the load on your purse.

Usage of Waste vegetable oil (WVO) is one way to do this and the same can be used as an alternative source of fuel that can be used for both heating and also for transportation. Natural fuels or fossil fuels are limited and one day their supply will be exhausted, hence it is better is we found out alternative fuels before it becomes too late. People often wonder if waste oil for biodiesel really works or whether this is just another myth.

Scientists all over the world are using waste oil to manufacture biodiesel and this has been proved as the best and the cheapest form of alternative fuel. Apart from the low costs there are many other benefits that this alternative fuel provides one with. Some of them are reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases and reduction of air pollution. It is high time that you too decided and switched over to this new and alternative fuel to ensure that the future generations live in a healthy atmosphere and do now face scarcity of fuel.

Suggested Reading:
+ make Biodiesel from Motor Oil
+ Waste Vegetable oil for Biodiesel fuel

Different Types of Biodiesel Car Kits

There are many different types of biodiesel car kits in the market and they are selling like hot cakes. It is not amazing to see this splurge in sales of these kits since people are left with no other alternatives. This rising fuel prices are forcing them to look towards alternative fuels and biodiesel is one of the best competitors, thanks to its ease of manufacture, relatively low costs of raw materials, resulting in a low priced fuel which is greenhouse friendly and pollution free.

The trend is picking up and most car manufacturers are coming out with their own version of cars that run on biodiesel. It costs money to purchase a new car and chances are that you might have purchased a new one just a few months back. Does this mean that you either have to wait or spend money needlessly on a new car? This is the line of thought some manufacturers were thinking when they started producing biodiesel car kits.

These biodiesel car kits permit you to turn your diesel car into one that runs on biodiesel. These kits are not costly and they are easy to maintain. However, it is recommended that you take the services of a competent and professional mechanic to install the same. Within a few months of use you will find that this special kit has paid for itself. It goes without saying that you have also played your part in curbing pollution.

Suggested Reading:
+ Biodiesel from Used Motor Oil

Biodiesel Fuel Economy the Key for Future Cars

As the prices of diesel along with other petroleum products keep on rising higher and higher, people all over the world are searching for alternative fuels. As it is the prices of essential commodities and other goods too have gone up and an increase in the price of fuel is like the proverbial last straw. Made from a variety of sources like corn, maize, algae etc. biodiesel fuel is the only hope for the current generation and has opened the doorway for research into other types of alternative fuels for your cars.

You might not accept it, but even if the prices of natural biodiesel fuel did not go up, there would be a date in the future when all reserves of this natural biodiesel fuel will get exhausted. One can be economical with other essentials, but there is a way that one can be economical with biodiesel fuel. Improvements in science and technology might bring about engines that are more fuel-efficient than the current ones, but the fact remains that they too will consume fuel.

That is the bottom line. One must thank the escalating prices because it is for the same that research about alternative fuels and biodiesel fuel economy is being conducted on a war footing. Things are moving at a fast pace and it shall not be long before the entire world embraces biodiesel fuels as the means of driving different types of fuel fuelled devices. Till date biodiesel fuel are the most economic of fuels available.

Suggested Reading:
+ Biodiesel Car Kits

Biodiesel as an Alternative Fuel Cars and Do They Work?

People are having second thoughts before they go about converting their car so that it can run on biodiesel. However, one just cannot deny the fact that the fuel of the future looks to be biodiesel fuel. As it is, the world has a limited amount of natural fuel and the way the same is being used; the day is not far off that the natural oil resources of the world will get exhausted.

Once that happens there will be no alternative left apart from moving around on one’s foot or using alternative fuel. Scientists are researching many other different means like electricity and solar cells among others, but they have their inherent problems. Solar energy driven cars require that there is sufficient natural light, a rare commodity during certain months of the year… and what about driving at night? Most of the power plants run on normal fuel and they too will have to look for alternative means for producing power.

If there is no power, how can one run their electricity driven cars? These problems leave us with just one answer and that is using biodiesel as an alternative fuel cars. Tests with this biodiesel fuel have been successful and they are cheap. Once mass production of this biodiesel fuel of the same starts all over the world, prices will go down further. There is no doubt that this alternative means of fuel is the best answer to the dwindling supplies of natural fuels.

Suggested Reading:
+ Biodiesel Fuel and Hydrogen Fuel Compared
+ How to Make Biodiesel at Home??

Biodiesel Fuel and Hydrogen Fuel Compared

If you are one of those that is feeling devastated because of the rising costs of fuel, you must have been checking out the net for alternative types of fuels. The two most popular fuels that are prevalent today, apart from the fuels like gasoline, diesel, propane and some others that are commonly uses, are biodiesel and hydrogen fuels. Ask anyone who is thinking of converting their car for being adaptable to alternative fuels and you will find them answering about biodiesel fuel and hydrogen fuel.

In fact there are many fuel producing organizations that are slowly converting their plants in order to manufacture and cater to the fuel needs of the future. The end user need not be concerned too much. There are various conversion fuel kits available on the net and in shops that sell car hardware where they can find conversion fuel kits that will permit their car to run on either hydrogen fuel or biodiesel.

There are some people who go in for hydrogen based fuels because they have been conned by ads of special converters for this fuel. Most readers are led to believe that if they use this converter fuel cell, their car will run on water. This is not true and one should always read the fine print before purchasing such products. These converters require that you mix a fixed proportion of water along with the normal diesel. This means that you are still dependant on diesel. This is not the case with biodiesel.

Suggested Reading:
+ Biodiesel as an Alternative Fuel Cars and Do They Work?

Which are the Best Biodiesel Fuel Companies?

This is not a small scale or cottage industry that they can be compared to each other. Most of the organizations which manufacture biodiesel fuel are quite good enough and each one of them can, arguably, considered to be as good as the other. There are a number of companies manufacturing biodiesel and one of them is Nova Energy. You might have heard many people asking which are the best biodiesel fuel companies, but ask them more about this product and you will find an empty stare on their face.

As most of you are aware, the prices of petroleum related products that include gasoline and diesel are shooting up like never before. Add to that the international money crunch and you will understand why more and more people are opting I for biodiesel. This biodiesel fuel is composed on non-petroleum products and is manufactured by using diversified and renewable assets like vegetable oils, animal fats and corn.

This can be used and an alternative to standard petroleum products. Being unlike petroleum in its composition, biodiesel can be merged along with diesel in whatever proportions as required. It is because of this reason that biodiesel is favored by most oil companies. That day is fast approaching when everyone will be using this alternative form of fuel for his or her day-to-day needs. It goes without stating that biodiesel is quite cheap and is set to replace diesel, as we know it, as the preferred choice of fuel.

If you are a biodiesel fuel user and you know great biodiesel company near you, you could share it to us here so other people could recognize that and start buying biodiesel fuel at that biodiesel fuel company.

Suggested Reading:
Make Biodiesel at Home
Simple Process to make Biodiesel

How to Make Biodiesel from Used Motor Oil

Could I use Used Motor Oil to make biodiesel at home? The answer is yes, I found that answer from the article below which share to us on how to make biodiesel from used motor oil or another wasted oil. You could read it by yourself and you could know then is it feasible or not to do in your home.

Biodiesel From Used Motor Oil
By Munyaradzi Chinongoza

These days the state of our environment is forcing people and manufacturing companies to do what they can to protect it. There are many ways to protect the environment such as recycling, using less energy, creating less pollution and whatever else you can think of.

There is a Japanese environmental equipment manufacturer and supplier called Fuji Energy Co. who have created a compact processing device used to transform used engine oil or other waste oils into fuel oil.

What this device does is it mixes already used engine oil and Type A fuel in a 40 to 60 ratio, heats it up to 60 degrees Celsius and then it takes away the solids using a centrifuge. After this process, the oil goes through a precision filter roughly six or seven times, which breaks it down to micron-sized units. When these units are emulsified, you then get an alternative fuel for boilers with basically the same composition as Type A fuel oil.

There has already been a model of this processing device built by the company Fuji Energy and they are testing it at a hot bath facility in Ehime Prefecture. The company states that the device gets rid of exhaust gas regulations. This machine can process around 100 liters of oil a day and costs around US $8.70 a month to operate.

The compact version which is priced at $48 000 is 80 x 80 x 130 centimetres and can be installed beside and connected to a Type A fuel oil boiler. Fuji Energy is trying to ship fifty of these a year to transportation companies and food factories, using the selling point that this device has the ability to reduce fuel expenses by 30%.

Companies keep creating new unimaginable ways to help the environment hopefully soon all companies will take part and use these devices to help save the environment and make our planet a better place.

If you need more FREE information on biodiesel from used motor oil, please visit our website: http://www.BiodieselCorner.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Munyaradzi_Chinongoza

If you found that the info on how to make biodiesel from used motor oil above is correct or not, you could leave any comment here and share your thought or your experience if any to another people worldwide.

Biodiesel 101

"A Biodiesel Primer: Biodiesel explained: how is it made for commercial use - and how can you get it into your fleet?

Jack Lee, CEO of 4Refuel [http://www.4Refuel.com], Western Canada's largest biodiesel refueller, answers these burning biodiesel questions in a great interview on Shaw's Urban Rush.

Learn about biodiesel. Learn how to lower your greenhouse gas emissions. "

Suggested reading:

+ How to Make Biodiesel

+ How to Make Biodiesel Video

+ What is Biodiesel and Why We Need it?

How to Make Biodiesel Video

I just watch a great how to make biodiesel video in YouTube.com and I want to share it to you here. I hope it could help you to make your own biodiesel at home and start to fill your diesel car with your own biodiesel fuel made from your own kitchen :).

After you watch the how to make biodiesel video below, please leave your feedback about the video content, is it feasible to do at home or not. Or may be you have experience on making homemade biodiesel which better than everyone does, you could share it here.

Here is the How to make biodiesel video:

"The whole chain from seed to diesel", "Plant breeders in Canada, where rapeseed had been grown (mainly in Saskatchewan) since 1936, worked to improve the quality of the plant. In 1968 Dr Baldur Stefansson of the University of Manitoba used selective breeding to develop a variety of rapeseed low in erucic acid. In 1974 another variety was produced low in both erucic acid and glucosinolates; it was named Canola, from Canadian oil, low acid."

Manufacturing Biodiesel

The alternative fuel biodiesel is created from vegetable oil and animal fats. There are three main processes of manufacturing biodiesel. Based Catalyzed Reaction process is widely used these days. There are benefits to it. It can be done in low temperature and low pressure, its conversion rate is near perfect, there is no intermediate compound in the process and the process can be completed with regular equipments.

In this article we are going to briefly discuss the seven steps involved to complete the process.

The first step is to mix the alcohol with sodium hydroxide, also known a caustic soda. This dissolves in the alcohol when mixed with a mixture.

The mix is poured into a closed vessel and oil or fat is added. The reaction takes place in a closed environment to cut down the loss of alcohol. The temperature is kept a little over the boiling point of alcohol. Some extra alcohol is used to ensure the total conversion.

The reaction completes and glycerin and biodiesel in created. With the help of a centrifuge, these two items are quickly separated.

A process called flash evaporation is used to remove the extra alcohol from both products. It can be done by distillation as well.

Glycerin has sodium hydroxide and soap as bi product. These are removed and stored. Salt created at this process are used as fertilizer.

After removing biodiesel from glycerin, it is washed by warm water to clean caustic soda and soap, then dried before storage.

Before using as commercial biodiesel fuel is tested by sophisticated analytical equipment

Suggested Reading: Biodiesel Fuel Company

What is Biodiesel and Why We Need it?

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel mainly produced from vegetable oil an animal fats. It is a renewable substitute of regular fuel. As a replacement of petroleum fuel it is much cleaner alternative. Its physical components are much similar to regular diesel fuel. In this article, you will find in detail what biodiesel is and why it is better than regular diesel fuel.

As mentioned before, renewable sources are used to create biodiesel. Sources like new or used vegetable oil and animal fats. These sources are not toxic and can be broken down by living organisms using a special process. To complete the process an alcohol, mostly methanol is used to create a chemical reaction with these oils and fats. After the reaction, we get a new liquid substance called fatty acid methyl esters. We call it biodiesel when we use it as fuel. In short, this is how we create biodiesel.

We mainly use biodiesel as fuel. It can be used directly or can be mixed with petroleum to use as fuel. This leads us to the question is there any benefit of using it instead of regular furl. The answer is yes. Scientific research confirmed that the use of biodiesel has a less harmful impact on human body. When regular fuel is used, out of all the chemicals that are emitted there are two major components responsible for cancer in human body. Biodiesel reduce the emission of those components by at least 13%.

Biodiesel has lots of positive impacts on human body and environment. It is time we use this alternative fuel much higher scale.

Homemade Biodiesel

Many people know that biodiesel is quiet popular in many countries, but they do not realize that we could making biodiesel at home, because its not impossible (If we know its knowledge). Peoples who have done on making biodiesel fuel at home called this Homemade biodiesel. Its called homemade biodiesel because we could make it by our own hand even in our home kitchen!.

You could Follow the simple instruction on how to make homemade biodiesel from the series of making biodiesel fuel at home by Alex Kac. I have not yet finished to repost the making homemade biodiesel series here.Just follow that post and find the complete instruction on the bottom of the post.

After did a little browsing in my favorite online video, Youtbe.com, to find homemade biodiesel video, I've found one great and really informative video made by Black7Mgk and his Dad, which talk about making homemade biodiesel with BioLyle. Its really informative to me and I want to share it to you.
And here is the video;

Making Homemade Biodiesel With BioLyle

"I made this video with my dad, BioLyle some time back. Although the methods are rather crude and not always the safest, I hope you enjoy it and find it edumacating. Please check out biolyle.com for lots of information on biodiesel or to buy an automated processor or sign up for a workshop.

- Matiah"

I hope it could help you to know more information about Homemade Biodiesel.

Biodiesel from Algae Video

Just watch a great video about algae biodiesel from CNET. This is great to our future, if we could make biodiesel from Algae. Please share your opinion about this video after you watch it.

Algae Biodiesel


"The technology website CNET.com mentioned Algae Biodiesel in a short segment. Considering that Algae grows quickly, is carbon neutral and the fuel (biodiesel) being produced will run in the most efficient internal combusion engines we currently use, this could well be the best alternative to petroleum."

Suggested Reading:
+ Waste Oil Biodiesel

Making Biodiesel at Home is Not Impossible

Making biodiesel at home is not impossible, its not complicated either. In fact it is a simple and fun process. Anyone can do it. You can do it in your kitchen if you want. Using used cooking oil has extra benefits. It will be very cost effective. By recycling that used oil, which would otherwise end up in the sewers, you are doing something good for the environment. On top of everything, biodiesel is the most environment friendly fuel. The only argument that can go against Making biodiesel at home is that it can be difficult to maintain the standards set by the regulatory agencies while you make it at home.

In this article you are going to briefly learn the process of making biodiesel at home.

At first, you have to filter the oil to get rid of anything that might floating in it, like leftover food etc.

Then hit up the oil to remove the water in it. With the help of a settling tank you can remove the water from it.

Now you have to measure the oil precisely. Measurement has to be precise so that the ingredients mixed in the next steps are in right proportions.

Next step is to mix pure methanol.

Then mix pure sulfuric acid.

Stir the mixture while heating it. Let it cool off afterwards.

If any part of this mixture seems to turn solid during the cooling off period, reheat that part. Then add methoxide mixture and stir it again.

It is wise to start at a smaller scale. Once you know the process, you can then scale it up.

The tips on Making biodiesel at home above only a simple process which I could share to you. for the complete and easy steps to make biodiesel at home, please read the series of Simple Process to Make Biodiesel Fuel - Foolproof Method from Aleks Kac - 1

Pros and Cons of Using Biodiesel

If you watch the news on television, read newspapers or at least take part in conversations with other people, you already know about the rising price of the gas. No matter what your occupation or interest is, education, economics, entertainment, politics, gas is the only commodity that can be a part of your conversation. These conversations always turn into possible alternatives. Biodiesel is the most feasible alternative at present. It is the non toxic, renewable alternative fuel that is made from vegetable oil or animal fat.

In this article we are going to talk about the pros and cons of using this alternative fuel.

Pros of using biodiesel
1.Biodiesel is environmentally friendly. It has low emission, biodegradable and renewable.
2.It is a good way to reduce dependency on foreign oil. Us and many other countries are dependent on politically volatile countries for oil. Increasing use of biodiesel can reduce that.
3.It can decrease the engine wear by lubricating the engine
4.It can be used in any vehicle that has a diesel engine without any engine modification
5.Biodiesel is much safer to use than the conventional diesel fuel.

Cons-
1. Biodiesel increase the emission of nitrogen oxide which is the main reason of fog creation.

2. Older vehicle may not be able to run on biodiesel. It can clog the fuel tank.

3. Biodiesel is not cost effective, at least not yet comparing to regular petroleum based fuel.

Everything good comes with a drawback. Without a doubt biodiesel has its own drawbacks. But it is still the best fuel alternative that exist.

Benefits of Using Biodiesel

Biodiesel is the alternative fuel created from nontoxic components like vegetable oil and animal fats. Since it is a substitute for regular fuel, increasing the use of biodiesel can increase energy security, reduce the harmful effect of regular diesel fuel on human health and environment. The usage of this fuel substitute is much safer than regular fuel. In this article, we are going to discuss some major benefits this alternative fuel can bring to our lives.

Biodiesel became the most environment friendly fuel substitute from early 2000. The Environmental Protection Agency of US set a two-tier test to check the impact of emission of fuel on human health. Biodiesel passed this test with flying colors which proves it has significantly reduced the threat on human health.

Prices of agricultural products are downwards, while the gas price is going up everyday. This is the perfect opportunity to use the surplus vegetable oil to boost energy security. The conventional equipment and production capacity currently exists is sufficient to manufacture biodiesel.

Since vegetable oil is one of the main sources of bio diesel production, it can put extra money in our agricultural sector. Gas is a product that is used in both urban and rural areas. By increasing demand for renewable biodiesel, it is easy to create an economic balance between both parts.

Biodiesel is not only cleaner and safer for health and environment; its benefits are much bigger. Few years down the road, the choices available to the drivers worldwide can be lot different.

More on Biodiesel Fuel

There has been a lot of discussions lately about biodiesel fuel and why it is so much superior than regular diesel fuel. Biodiesel fuel is made up of animal fat and vegetable oil. It is one of the cleanest types of fuel available in the fuel market today and that is why it has become so popular. It has been called the fuel of the future and if studies and reports are any indication it will probably surpass all the hopes that environmentalists have been counting on.

Because it is made up of natural materials, it has fast become the fuel of choice. If it is used in it’s purest form then only vehicles that are strictly diesel will be able to run it. But blend it with some petroleum and any type of vehicle can burn this fuel. Biodiesel fuel gives off no emissions so it is one of the very best types of fuels for today as well as tomorrow. Not only will it cause less harm on the environment for today, but because there are no lasting effects the drivers of today won’t be polluting up the world of tomorrow with left over emission.

All of the biodiesel fuel is made up from materials that can be found close to him. This helps keep costs way down. So not only is it more efficient that regular diesel fuel, but it is also most cost efficient as well. Due to rising gas prices and rising diesel prices in our economy this is very good news for any car owner.

The Advantages of Using Biodiesel Fuel

With today’s ever increasing concerns about the environment, more and more people are looking at ways on how they can help protect the environment. One area that has become very popular is in the fuel market. By switching over to biodiesel fuel, consumers can not only save money, but they can also use a product that has been proven to be safe on our environment. Not only does this safeness pertain to the present, but it also helps out future generations as well.

If consumers were to keep going at the rate they were going they would be quickly destroying the environment for themselves as well as for future generations as well. But by using biodiesel they can effectively help the world for today and tomorrow.

Biodiesel fuel is made up of primarily animal fat and vegetable oils. So it’s an extremely clean fuel to run. Used on it’s own it can only be used in diesel vehicles, but combined with other products such as petroleum, then any other vehicles could use it as well. It doesn’t give off any emissions what so ever so therefore is the cleanest type of fuel to run.

Using biodiesel fuel or biodiesel automobile fuel has numerous advantages. It can be a cost effective means of fuel for the farming community, all the components of the fuel are gathered locally which cuts down on cost prices and we already know the benefits to the environment.

This type of fuel has been dubbed the fuel of the future. And if the trend of reaching for a cleaner environment continues then your going to see it’s popularity grow in leaps and bounds over the next few years. If you have an experience using biodiesel and found many advantages of using biodiesel fuel, then please share it here so another people know about that.

How to Make Biodiesel Fuel? Learn from These Mixing Biodiesel Videos

So many people who love diesel try to move to biodiesel fuel. They said that biodiesel fuel more environment friendly than the old diesel fuel from petroleum oil. Another said that they want to safe the world by using fuel from reversible sources :). They could buy biodiesel fuel from any biodiesel stations, but they do not know that they could make it by their self if they know how to do it.

If you one of them which want to knowhow to make biodiesel fuel, then these 2 videos will help you:

1. Making BiodieselVideo Part 1:


2. Making Biodiesel Fuel Part 2


The videos Above shows you how to make biodiesel with and some of the bio diesel equipment that you will need to make a small batch of biodiesel with the help of Graydon Blair. For all your biodiesel equipment needs be sure to check out http://www.utahbiodieselsupply.com

Biodiesel Automobile Fuel

Because the problems in the country are growing in terms of the environment, more and more people are looking at ways to try to save the environment. And one of these ways that they have chosen to do this is through the use of biodiesel automobile fuel. Biodiesel automobile fuel is a great alternative to regular diesel fuel because it is a lot more cleaner and more environmentally friendly.

Biodiesel automobile fuel is made up primarily of vegetable oils and animal fat. It is a clean burning fuel and doesn’t create as many emissions as the rational diesel fuels do. It can be blended with petroleum which will ensure that most vehicles can burn it. But using the biodiesel automobile fuel in it’s purest form will make it so that only diesel vehicles can run it.

This type of fuel is so safe and free of toxins that it has been determined that table salt has more toxins in it then this does. Because it is so environmentally friendly, more and more people are choosing to invest in this type of fuel. One of the best types of machines that can use this type of fuel is farm tractors and farming equipment.

One of the best things about using biodiesel automobile fuel as your fuel of choice is the fact that it does not send out harmful emissions. It does not hurt the environment as we know it and it will also make the environment safer for future generations. This can not be said for traditional diesel fuels so therefore the more people that utilize this type of fuel, the safer our environment will become now and in the future.

WVO For Sale in Houston

I have found interesting place to find WVO for sale online. But before you go to the WVO for sale listing, it's better to know first what is WVO?WVO is comes from Waste Vegetable Oil. This kind of oil is use to made Biodiesel Fuel. Using WVO to made biodiesel fuel is more cheap rather than using pure vegetable oil.

For more detail info about this Waste vegetable Oil, you could read them from Wikipedia,Vegetable oil used as fuel:"Many vegetable oils have similar fuel properties to diesel fuel, except for higher viscosity and lower oxidative stability. If these differences can be overcome, vegetable oil may substitute for #2 Diesel fuel, most significantly as engine fuel or home heating oil.For engines designed to burn #2 diesel fuel, the viscosity of vegetable oil must be lowered to allow for proper atomization of fuel, otherwise incomplete combustion and carbon build up will ultimately damage the engine. Many enthusiasts refer to vegetable oil used as fuel as waste vegetable oil (WVO) if it is oil that was discarded from a restaurant or straight vegetable oil (SVO) or pure plant oil (PPO) to distinguish it from biodiesel."

If you live in Houston you could get WVO for sale from this active WVO site:GoodGrease.Com. Here are the WVO for Sale Listing Details:
1000 MT WVO for sale:

We are a WVO company located in Houston, TX. We are looking to supply bio-diesel companies with up to 5,000 MT of WVO per month. The price per MT starts at $2.50 Per MT. Please don't hesitate to respond with any questions.

You could find another WVO for sale at another City by browsing their Classified Ads. You could ask or post your comment there if you found one interesting ads.

Simple Process to Make Biodiesel Fuel - Foolproof Method from Aleks Kac - 2

This is the second series of the simple making biodiesel from Aleks Kac. Before you read this section please read the introduction part of this simple biodiesel process.

This second foolproof biodiesel process will talk about equipment which need for the making biodiesel. And here are the partial series of the method focused on Equipment:

You don't need a special processor for the Foolproof method. Generally, a bottom-drained reactor vessel is best, closed on top. Tall, narrow containers work better than wide, shallow ones. Use a circulating pump for mixing rather than a mechanical stirrer. The pump should take the mixture from near the bottom of the reactor and return it via the top, to splash down on the surface. For a 35-litre reactor, a 100-W washing-machine pump will do, along with a 1.5kW washing-machine immersion heater to heat the mixture (get a heater that's coated with stainless steel). You could use a thermostat to control the temperature, but they're expensive: just use a thermometer and switch on the heater as required.

Ordinary iron and steel implements and containers will eventually corrode because of the acid used in this process. However, you can still use the usual 55-gal (200-litre) drum. The proportion of acid used in this process is very low -- you should be able to use an uncoated drum for a year or more before the rust gets out of control. I use a polypropylene plastic reaction vessel. Any plastic that won't deform at 100 deg C (212 deg F) or a bit more is fine. Stainless steel is also fine. Use an immersion heater with plastic containers. With steel containers you can use propane heaters to heat the oil, then switch to an immersion heater before adding the methanol.

And I  Will continue to the next step on making biodiesel at home using foolproof method of Aleks Kac.

Reference:http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_aleksnew.html
Note:I have got a permission from the owner of this article to copy and published here for educational purpose.

How to Make Biodiesel Fuel at Home?

I found great videos about making biodiesel fuel at home. Please watch the video below:

Tom Carpenter explains how he filters vegetable oil to make biodiesel fuel.

Biodiesel Fuel Costs and Approaches to Reduce It

People might think that since biodiesel is made from waste oil, biodiesel fuel costs are not high. The answer is both yes and no. the production of biodiesel may even pose a serious threat to the environment because the production is not concerning waste oil anymore. The production of biodiesel needs feedstock and there are many countries that make farmlands at the expense of rainforests.

Biodiesel is a type of fuel that is used in diesel powered vehicles. It cannot be used 100% but it is used in blends which are categorized by the B Factor, which has something to do with the blend. If a biodiesel blend is 20%, then it is called B20.

A board called the Energy Information Administration has introduced a process that will help guide producers of biodiesel become more effective in terms of management of biodiesel fuel costs. The main component in determining the biodiesel fuel costs is the feedstock cost. The feedstock is the main source if the oil that is converted into a biodiesel fuel. It has been said the yellow grease is the cheapest source of biodiesel fuel but the production of this source is limited. Typically, yellow grease’s main function is an additive to animal feeds.

Another feedstock used for the production of biodiesel fuel is soybean oil and it also plays a crucial role in biodiesel fuel costs. This is being addressed by forecasting the amount of soybean oil that will be used in the production of biodiesel year in and year out. However, we should all be aware that the more farmlands we create, the more hazard we will create for the environment if the farmlands used are sacrificing rainforests.

Uses of Biodiesel Automobile Fuel

Biodiesel Automobile Fuel has gained its practical use and popularity since its conception in 1937 by G. Chavannes. It is now used worldwide in major transportation vehicles such as trucks, buses, and trains. Biodiesel in itself is cost effective and it has found its way even in factories and home heaters.

Biodiesel is made of animal and plant oils. This is then mixed with alcohol or glycerol and this is converted to what is known as Biodiesel Automobile Fuel. It has many blends and the way they are categorized are through the letter “B” followed by the percentage of the blend against the pure petroleum diesel. For example, a B5 Biodiesel Automobile Fuel it comprises 5% of the blend. Biodiesel Automobile Fuel, though, is facing challenges since there are limited sources of feed stocks. It is now an issue that farmlands are being created at the expense of rainforests.

Used mainly in transportation vehicles, Biodiesel Automobile Fuel is only applicable for cars that have diesel engines. The issue with the usage of biodiesel is that it burns faster and cleaner and there is a need to clean the vehicle’s filters more often. This is especially so if the biodiesel fuel is used in its 100% form known as B100.

Biodiesel automobile fuel is also used in railroad trains and buses. As long as the vehicle engine supports biodiesel, it should never be an issue. It is noted that that the world’s first biodiesel train was the Thames Voyager, which ran in biodiesel fuel B20. Biodiesel fuel can also be used in aircrafts.

Biodiesel Fuel Pumps in the World

Since the advent of biodiesel fuel, hundreds of Biodiesel Fuel Pumping stations have incorporated this in their sales. Marketed as Premium Diesel , the production itself has ballooned to 1 billion gallons per year in the United States in 2006. Biodiesel is a form of fuel that is made primarily of vegetable and animal oil. This made out of a process called transesterification. Biodiesel is blended with the common diesel and every type of blend is known based on its percentage. The “B” factor is just a letter prefixed in the actual percentage of the blend.

In Australia, majority of trains and buses use a B5 blend in biodiesel fuel pumps. There are recent talks that the blend will be increased to 20% soon but this will cause more expense since not all diesel machines and vehicles are designed to use higher blends of biodiesel fuel. Australia opened its first biodiesel pump in February of 2005. This was opened in Sydney and was then expanded in 2006.

In Canada, Quebec is known for its heavy usage of pure biodiesel in its shuttle buses. In Nova Scotia, biodiesel fuel pumps abound as biodiesel is not only used in vehicles but also in home heaters and public transportation.

There are many more countries that have opened biodiesel fuel pumps such as Malaysia, India, China, Germany, and others. More and more countries are seeing the benefits of biodiesel and the cost they will save if they start using blended versions of biodiesel fuel not only in transportation but also in home heaters and factory machines.

Can Biodiesel Turbine Fuel Kerosene Be Used in Aircrafts?

A cheap and efficient fuel that will propel a jet or a plane has already been in constant question ever since eternity. Until now, people do not know if a plane can be propelled by using biodiesel turbine fuel kerosene. The reason for this is the amount of petroleum based fuel that may be saved if biodiesel turbine fuel kerosene is used. The amount of diesel or fuel used by aircrafts are gigantic in comparison to normal vehicles such as trucks, cars, and buses. It is therefore necessary to find alternative means of supporting aircraft fuel needs without having to depend on petroleum and one of the most promising alternative is the biodiesel turbine fuel kerosene.

Biodiesel turbine fuel kerosene is a combination of mineral diesel that came from animal and plant fats. It is called fatty acid methyl or in short, FAME. This is because the raw material used for biodiesel fuel is blended with methyl or glycerol. Biodiesel is not commonly used in its pure for, but in blends with pure petroleum diesel. The names if the biodiesel blends are aptly called based on the percentage of the blend. If a blend is made up of 20% biodiesel fuel and 80% petroleum diesel, it is called B20. If the percentage is 40%, it is called B40, and so on.

Accordingly, biodiesel is effective when used in aircrafts. However, diesel that is made f petroleum is much more reliable in performance than biodiesel fuel. Obviously, no one will take the risk to put the lives of the pilot and the aircraft passengers at risk. As of the moment, biodiesel turbine fuel kerosene cannot be used for aircrafts fully. Not yet.

Simple Process to Make Biodiesel Fuel - Foolproof Method from Aleks Kac - 1

Here I will give you some series of foolproof method to make biodiesel fuel which originally written by Aleks Kac. This guy from Slovenija will share you a basic to advance method to make biodiesel fuel at home. You could make your own biodiesel fuel in your living room!.

In this first series of the making biodiesel at home method will share you with the introduction.

This is a FOOLPROOF way to make biodiesel. No titration is required, and no extra equipment or special equipment -- a thermometer's handy, but NO pH meter!

This is a two-stage procedure, acid first-stage, base second-stage. It is based on the highest free fatty acid (FFA) content found in used cooking oil, but it can be used with any waste vegetable/animal oil or fat, whether or not it has a high FFA content. The process increases yields dramatically. Use it as your standard method.
Introduction

To make biodiesel fuel efficiently from used vegetable oils and animal fats we have to avoid one major problem: soap formation. Soap is formed during base-catalyzed transesterification (using lye) when sodium ions combine with free fatty acids present in used (and some virgin) vegetable oils and animal fats. The soaps diminish the yield because they bond the methyl esters to water. The bonded esters get washed out at the washing stage but make water separation more difficult and increase water consumption. This process takes care of the free fatty acids.

In one early test I used a mixture of 50% heavily used cooking oil and 50% pork lard. The result was a pure product with absolutely no trace of soap! The biodiesel looked nice, and smelt nice, as if made from virgin oil.

Aleks (background) and friend Matevz making biodiesel in Matevz's living room.
This is a simple procedure. The first-stage process is not transesterification, but pure and simple ESTERIFICATION. Esterification is followed by transesterification, but under acid conditions it's much slower than under caustic conditions and it won't do a complete oil-to-methyl ester conversion as the reaction is much more equilibrium-sensitive. Without methanol recovery, the alcohol overdose required would make the price of your fuel jump, and even with recovery it would still be much more expensive. Hence the second base-stage.

For the first stage you'll form a compound out of an acid and an alcohol. The alcohol is still methanol, but instead of using lye (sodium hydroxide), the CATALYST in this reaction is sulphuric acid ("battery acid"). It needs 95% sulphuric acid (battery acid is around 50%). Sulphuric acid is one of the commonest chemicals on Earth, just like lye. More concentrated sulphuric acid -- 98% and above -- costs more, but 95% works just fine if you follow these directions. Other acids won't work: it must be sulphuric acid. The second stage uses lye, as usual -- but it only uses about half as much as other methods.

The sulfate ion in the sulphuric acid combines with the sodium ion in the lye during the second-stage reaction to form sodium sulphate, which is a water-soluble salt and is removed in the wash. No sulphur remains in the biodiesel fuel product.

Will continue to the next step on making biodiesel at home using foolproof method of Aleks Kac.

Update: Please read the second step of making biodiesel process here.

Reference:http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_aleksnew.html
Note:I have got a permission from the owner of this article to copy and published here for educational purpose.

Modify Your Car now To Work with Biofuel

How to Modify a Car Engine to Use Biofuel

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
You can modify any diesel engine to accept and burn vegetable oil (bio diesel). This clean burning substance not only saves the environment, but can also save you money. Many smaller restaurants must pay someone to dispose of their oil... and will be happy to provide you with all the fuel you need for free!

Steps

1. Begin with a vehicle that burns diesel.
   
2. Purchase a biofuel conversion kit that is appropriate to your engine size.
   
3. Purchase auxiliary fuel tanks if necessary.
   
4. Install the kit.
   
5. Put Bio-diesel fuel in your tank.
   
6. Enjoy saving money and improving the environment at the same time.
   

Tips

• Please remember this only works in Diesel run Engines only!
  
• Did you know that Bio-Diesel is a genuine clean-burning substance?
  

Warnings

• Do not put Bio-Diesel (or any diesel fuel) in a gasoline-run engine!
  

Things You'll Need

• Bio Fuel Conversion kit
  
• Source of Vegetable Oil
  
• Mechanic tools / shop
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Build a Single Tank Biodiesel Processor
  
• How to Start Using Biodiesel Fuel
  
• How to Keep a Turbo Diesel Engine on Boost Whilst Accelerating
  
• How to Drive a Turbo Diesel Car With Manual Transmission Efficiently
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Modify a Car Engine to Use Biofuel. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.