There is growing interest in the development of biodiesel fuel as more and more positive benefits are found for this alternative fuel source. It’s not that it’s just a good alternative to our reliance on imported oil but it is also been shown to have a positive impact on our own health and the environment as a whole.
The first positive benefit for biodiesel is the fact that it can be made from renewable resources. It was first created when scientists started doing research into the possibility of using corn and soybean oils in the production of an alternative fuel source. In the process they discovered that just about any kind of vegetable or animal oil that we use to cook with today can be processed into biodiesel fuel. And the best part is it can be oil that has already been used and recycled.
Used vegetable oils along with sewage are all being used to produce biodiesel these days. During the refining of the oil a process is added that extracts all the contaminants from the raw fuel transforming it into an excellent alternative fuel source. Many people who produce biodiesel in small processors in their backyards get most of their raw materials from business such as restaurants that produce large amounts of vegetable oil waste. The benefit of creating a fuel source from waste products is such that the world as a whole is a better place.
One of the unexpected benefits of biodiesel is its ability flush out and clean the internal parts of a diesel engine. Studies have shown that it is able to remove dirt and deposits from fuel injectors and the fuel filter. This keeps the engine running efficiently and cuts down on maintenance costs, particularly when it comes to replacing fuel injectors. In fact studies on engines that were converted from regular diesel have shown that using biodiesel cleans away the deposits and residue the regular fuel leaves behind, leading to better fuel economy.
Because it is also a naturally oxygenated fuel and contains very little sulfur and aromatics it is an extremely clean burning fuel. There is a significant reduction in particulate and carbon monoxide emissions as compared to regular petroleum based diesel fuel.
These are just a few of the reasons biodiesel will benefit our planet and the energy issues we are starting to face. It could well be the alternative fuel answer we need to explore as the world’s oil supplies begin to dwindle and the cost of energy continues to increase. There could come a day when we all produce our own fuel right in our backyards and gas pumps go the way of the dinosaur.
More: continued here