Biodiesel for future

*Biodiesel

• Biodiesel is a fuel that has much the same characteristics as normal diesel oil, but as opposed to diesel it is not derived from petroleum but from vegetable oils or animal fat. Generally, vegetable oils are used such as sunflower oil, soy oil, rape oil or palm oil. Used oils may be used likewise very well indeed. To produce biodiesel from these oils, they are subjected to a chemical reaction, which is called transesterification. It is a chemical reaction that makes the glycerol present in the oil to be substituted by methanol, using a lye as a catalyst. Its result is a methyl ester. One of its examples is rape methyl ester (RME). A residue forms due to transesterification, called glycerine. This can be applied in various ways, one can think of such things as making soap.

*Why?

• Biodiesel's plus-points are obvious: It is biodegradable, it decreases soot-emission with ± 50%, it decreases emission of hydrocarbons and it is CO 2 -neutral. In addition to these environmental plus-points, it is safe indeed (its flashpoint is ± 170C º) and it is easy to mix with fossil diesel.

*Where?

• In several European countries, including Austria, Italy, Spain, Frace and Germany biodiesel is seriously applied, with France and Germany as absolute leaders. Over 150,000 cars run on biodiesel in Germany, for instance, and scattered over the country there are well over 1,200 service stations with a biodiesel pump. The reason of the biodiesel success in Germany is the fact that no excise is levied on biodiesel, which makes its price an average of 4-8 cents below that of normal diesel. In the Netherlands we are hopelessly trailing behind in the use of biodiesel. One of its reasons is the uncompromising attitude of the Dutch government towards biodiesel. An example is the fact that it does not intend to lift excises on biodiesel. Eventually they will come round in the Netherlands, mainly due to pressure from Europe and European legislation with regard to biofuels.

*How?

• Virtually anyone can make biodiesel by means of a very simple process, often compared to brewing beer. It makes that energy-independance is in store for everyone. Biodiesel development is far from over yet and each day new machines and methods are invented. Good sources to keep yourself abreast of things include the Internet sites http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel.html and http://biodieselcommunity.org .

At these sites one can find anything on biodiesel and the like, including excellent recipees and tips on e.g. titration, washing, drying etc.... You can find many magazines as well, such as "Biodiesel Magazine". Have fun!!

*It's so happy if you discuss with me about Biodiesel process, this major is my target and now I'm studying.