Wednesday, May 28, 2008

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.

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