kensfarm
Veteran Member
CowboyDoc.. I have to agree & disagree w/ you.. depending on clarifying "biodiesal fuel".. straight biodiesal vs biodiesal/diesal blend.. and yes.. it is and can be made from the same oil that you would use for french fries. I tried below to represent both views.. I'm not a fuel scientist.. so my info comes from what I've read.
Currently biodiesel is produced mainly from field crop oils and used widely in a range of diesel vehicles. The fuel produced in Hawaii by Pacific Biodiesel, Inc. is made totally from recycled cooking oil and used mostly in generators of all sizes, commercial diesel equipment, vehicles, and marine vessels.
Technically, biodiesel is Vegetable Oil Methyl Ester. It is formed by removing the glycerol molecule from vegetable oil in the form of glycerin (soap). Once the glycerin is removed from the oil, the remaining molecules are, to a diesel engine, similar to petroleum diesel fuel. There are some notable differences. The biodiesel molecules are very simple hydrocarbon chains, containing no sulfur, ring molecules or aromatics associated with fossil fuels. Biodiesel is made up of almost 10% oxygen, making it a naturally "oxygenated" fuel.
Three important components that vary the most in diesel fuel are cetane, weight and viscosity.
Cetane defines the susceptibility of the fuel to self-ignite. Acceptable cetane levels are between 40 and 45, but few fuel distributors advertise this since each batch may be different. Cetane influences both starting and combustion roughness on an engine. High altitudes and low temperatures call for a greater cetane number of the fuel.
The weight of the fuel or its gravity plays a role in the heat content of the fuel. Number one is a lighter grade and number two is heavier, or weighs more per gallon. Number one provides better starting in cold temperatures, but number two has better lubricating qualities and contains more heat units (BTUs) per volume.
The number one fuel is less dense so it becomes thinner when heated than the number two fuel. As the fuel temperature continues to rise, fuel begins to leak through the high-pressure parts of the injection pump causing it to pump less fuel, and that leakage results in a power loss of between one percent and seven percent.
The difference is biodiesal is a lighter fuel and has less BTU's per gallon. Less BTUs equals lower mileage and power. A gallon of soy-based biodiesel contains 132,902 BTUs.
The overall picture is fuel quality..
Biodiesel is a safe alternative fuel. Biodiesel has a higher flash point than regular diesel. It is classified as non-flammable by the NFPA, and is not required to carry a Hazardous Material label when being shipped.
Biodiesel is easier on engines. Biodiesel blended as low as a 2% rate with low sulfer or ultra-low sulfer petroleum diesel increases lubricity to traditional high sulfur diesel fuel levels. Field tests indicate that engine life is increased with biodiesel usage.
Biodiesel is "user-friendly." The use of biodiesel and biodiesel blends results in a noticeable change in exhaust odor. The reduction in smell and change of odor are easier on ship workers and pleasure craft boaters. In fact, it's been compared to the smell of French fries. Users also report no eye irritation. Since biodiesel is oxygenated, diesel engines have more complete combustion than when using petroleum fuel.
Currently biodiesel is produced mainly from field crop oils and used widely in a range of diesel vehicles. The fuel produced in Hawaii by Pacific Biodiesel, Inc. is made totally from recycled cooking oil and used mostly in generators of all sizes, commercial diesel equipment, vehicles, and marine vessels.
Technically, biodiesel is Vegetable Oil Methyl Ester. It is formed by removing the glycerol molecule from vegetable oil in the form of glycerin (soap). Once the glycerin is removed from the oil, the remaining molecules are, to a diesel engine, similar to petroleum diesel fuel. There are some notable differences. The biodiesel molecules are very simple hydrocarbon chains, containing no sulfur, ring molecules or aromatics associated with fossil fuels. Biodiesel is made up of almost 10% oxygen, making it a naturally "oxygenated" fuel.
Three important components that vary the most in diesel fuel are cetane, weight and viscosity.
Cetane defines the susceptibility of the fuel to self-ignite. Acceptable cetane levels are between 40 and 45, but few fuel distributors advertise this since each batch may be different. Cetane influences both starting and combustion roughness on an engine. High altitudes and low temperatures call for a greater cetane number of the fuel.
The weight of the fuel or its gravity plays a role in the heat content of the fuel. Number one is a lighter grade and number two is heavier, or weighs more per gallon. Number one provides better starting in cold temperatures, but number two has better lubricating qualities and contains more heat units (BTUs) per volume.
The number one fuel is less dense so it becomes thinner when heated than the number two fuel. As the fuel temperature continues to rise, fuel begins to leak through the high-pressure parts of the injection pump causing it to pump less fuel, and that leakage results in a power loss of between one percent and seven percent.
The difference is biodiesal is a lighter fuel and has less BTU's per gallon. Less BTUs equals lower mileage and power. A gallon of soy-based biodiesel contains 132,902 BTUs.
The overall picture is fuel quality..
Biodiesel is a safe alternative fuel. Biodiesel has a higher flash point than regular diesel. It is classified as non-flammable by the NFPA, and is not required to carry a Hazardous Material label when being shipped.
Biodiesel is easier on engines. Biodiesel blended as low as a 2% rate with low sulfer or ultra-low sulfer petroleum diesel increases lubricity to traditional high sulfur diesel fuel levels. Field tests indicate that engine life is increased with biodiesel usage.
Biodiesel is "user-friendly." The use of biodiesel and biodiesel blends results in a noticeable change in exhaust odor. The reduction in smell and change of odor are easier on ship workers and pleasure craft boaters. In fact, it's been compared to the smell of French fries. Users also report no eye irritation. Since biodiesel is oxygenated, diesel engines have more complete combustion than when using petroleum fuel.
