One of the exciting possibilities for greener motoring and better sustainability is the use of biodiesel. Biodiesel is technically a biofuel, but (obviously) it’s used in diesel engines, and it’s different from other types of biofuel, such as ethanol.
But what is biodiesel, how sustainable is it, and is it an option for you as you try to be more sustainable in your transport choices? Let’s have a closer look.
What Is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is more or less like regular fossil fuel diesel. You’d have to be a chemist to tell the difference. In fact, biodiesel is older than fossil fuel, as the original diesel engine invented by Rudolf Diesel himself could run on peanut oil-based fuel and mineral oil fuel. Herr Diesel also thought that plant-based fuels would be the best way to go– too bad that nobody listened to him until recently.
Biodiesel is different from fossil diesel because it has been made in a laboratory from other oil sources rather than oil that has come up from deep in the Earth’s surface. These sources can be plants (both the sorts familiar from the oil section in your supermarket and some others), animals or algae.
Where Does Biodiesel Come From?
Biodiesel is produced from oils, so the real question is where the oils come from. The good news is that a number of oil sources are out there. The bad news, however, is that all of them are slightly different chemically, so some manufacturers need more clarity about how different types will perform in their engines. These sources are known as feedstocks.
Biodiesel is sometimes made from oils harvested from plants (and algae) grown specifically for the purpose. It can also be made from various types of waste fat and oil. Some of the best-known purpose-grown feedstocks are the following:
- Soybean oil
- Canola (rapeseed) oil and the very similar colza oil
- Coconut oil
- · Palm oil (not the best from a sustainability perspective)
- Castor oil
- Corn oil
- Sunflower oil
- Rice bran oil
- Safflower oil
The big issue with these purpose-grown feedstocks is that they compete with other crops for land and water. This is a problem, as we need to feed the world (but not overfeed it, so perhaps that’s a way to reach a compromise). You’ve probably also noticed that most of those oils mentioned above are edible to people, so there’s direct competition between food and fuel. However, some crops can be grown on land that isn’t used for much else and doesn’t require the same inputs. These include:
- Jatropha oil
- Jojoba oil (yes, the one that gets used in cosmetics)
- Copaiba oil (this one comes from Brazil and is widely used over there as a biofuel)
Another exciting feedstock is algae. Several species of algae produce oils that are suitable to be made into biodiesel. Moreover, these algae grow very readily in wastewater, including sewage. This means that they don’t compete with food crops (and other human needs) for freshwater, which is a real plus in terms of sustainability.
However, the problem of the conflict between food and fuel for inputs can be solved creatively. There are abundant waste oil sources in the food production industry and the restaurant trade. This waste fat, oil and tallow is acceptable for use as a biodiesel feedstock. This means that something that would previously have gone to waste can now be put to productive use. For example, meat processing involves much of the fat being trimmed off before it goes to the market or is processed further because we don’t want to eat it. It’s now being collected to be made into biodiesel. What’s more, when omega-3 oils are extracted from fish oil, the bits that aren’t omega-3 can be used for making biodiesel.
The same thing happens with waste oil from the restaurant trade. Waste oil from frying is fine for making it into biodiesel (if you take the scrumps and chip bits out first). Plenty of schemes are already in place in the UK for collecting waste cooking fat and oil.
What Vehicles Can Use Biodiesel?
Obviously, if your car is petrol-powered, you can’t use biodiesel (look at bioethanol blends instead). However, if you usually fill your car’s tank with diesel, you can fill it with a biodiesel blend. The biodiesel blends are described with the B system, where B stands for biodiesel, and the number stands for the percentage of biodiesel in the mix. Thus, pure biodiesel is called B100, but B5 contains only 5%. All diesel vehicles can handle B5, and most will handle B7. However, when it comes to other blends, a specially designed engine is usually needed to handle the different chemical properties of biodiesel. Check with your vehicle manufacturer about what blend can be used in your particular make and model –. Still, it’s good to know that quite a few vehicles have been specifically made to take biodiesel, including some Fords, Jaguars and Range Rovers.
It’s also possible to modify an existing diesel engine to take biodiesel without voiding your vehicle’s warranty; however, ask questions before investing in this.
It doesn’t play nicely with older cars with rubber fuel hoses, as the biodiesel will erode quickly. However, in any vehicle manufactured after the early 1990s, this isn’t a problem, as rubber hoses were discontinued after this time. If you have an old classic and have already replaced the rubber hoses, etc., it will run fine on a biodiesel blend.
Trains and other large diesel engines can also use biodiesel.
How Green Is Biodiesel?
When choosing any form of transportation, it’s worth considering exactly how sustainable it is. A perfectly efficient and sustainable solution is out there to help us get from A to B, carrying everything we need. Still, at the moment, everything has its upsides and downsides. This is true of biodiesel, just like everything else.
In the time-honoured fashion, let’s get the bad news out of the way first. The downsides of biodiesel are as follows:
- Some of the oil used for making biodiesel comes from food sources such as corn, which means that fuel crops have to compete with food crops for water, land, energy inputs, pesticides, fertiliser, etc.
- Most of the existing diesel-powered fleet can’t run pure biodiesel (B100), so using biodiesel in an unmodified car still requires some fossil fuels in the mixture.
- Biodiesel gets thicker at lower temperatures, so engines don’t work correctly when things get chilly (as in some parts of the USA and Canada).
- ·If you’re a vegan, you may disapprove of where some fats and oils come from to produce the biodiesel, as animal fats from the food processing industry and the hospitality trade are often used.
- Biodiesel produces the same pollutants and particulate matter as regular diesel. However, remember that any carbon dioxide released to the atmosphere from the biodiesel (not the fossil fuels) isn’t adding new carbon, as the CO2 in any biological source was in the atmosphere some time ago (maybe about a year in the case of biodiesel that came from fat from a cattle beast that consumed calories from a plant that took in CO2… you get the picture).
- Biodiesel can be contaminated easily with water, so you have to be careful with it so you don’t end up eroding your car engine.
However, biodiesel has a number of advantages in terms of sustainability.
- Every little bit counts! Even if you use 5% biodiesel (B5), possibly in a regular diesel car, that’s 5% less fossil fuel.
- Because a B5 biodiesel blend can be used in a regular diesel vehicle, it’s easy to make the switch and become more sustainable. Some can use B7.
- Biodiesel is often made from waste fats and oils from the food industry and restaurants, which solves another problem.
- Biodiesel can also be made from algae that thrive on sewage, turning another waste product into a resource.
- Biodiesel uses the same distribution network and facilities (e.g., pumps and tanks) as fossil diesel, so the infrastructure for making the switch is already in place.
- Biodiesel has better lubricating properties, so it’s suitable for your car’s engine.
In the quest for greener alternatives, biodiesel emerges as a promising solution. While it has its challenges, the benefits it offers, especially in terms of sustainability, are undeniable. From utilising waste products to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, biodiesel is paving the way for a more eco-friendly future in transportation. As we continue to innovate and adapt, it’s essential to stay informed and make choices that benefit both us and our planet. Whether you’re considering biodiesel for your vehicle or just curious about its potential, it’s clear that this biofuel has a significant role to play in shaping a sustainable future.