Biodiesel Expansion Mitigates
Climate Change
Different cash crops are being researched as sources for the biodiesel expansion. But which ones would be Best when making biodiesel?
Efforts are being made all over the world to replace fossil fuel. We have belatedly realised that the non renewable energy is causing us far too serious problems and that we must develop more alternative energy resources. And this has to be done rather urgently.Making biodiesel is one way to reduce the dependency on fossil sources and many people are even interested in making biodiesel at home nowadays. How to Make BiodieselBiodiesel is by definition an energy rich
biofuel
made from vegetable or animal fat-based oil, chemically reacting with an alcohol to create diesel fuel. It is actually a rather simple biochemical reaction. A refining process is needed to remove
glycerine
from the substances as glycerine is harmful to engines. The green diesel fuel can then be used in standard diesel engines: there is usually no need of any modifications in diesel engines built after 1992.
The diesel fuel differs from vegetable and waste oils that are used for converted diesel engines.
Fossil diesel and biodiesel have similar properties, like high
viscosity
and flashing point. What this means in practical terms is that fuels having these properties don't clog the engine and are rather hard to ignite. The latter quality is making the fuel safer to transport. Biodiesel can be used alone, or blended with petro diesel. The amount of green diesel in fuel can be labelled based on the percentage of the amount, as when containing 10% it is labelled B10. So when being completely pure, it is labelled B100. Bio-based diesel can also be used as
heating oil.
Evaluation of the ProcessThe demand on biodiesel expansion is interesting but also challenging.
It is not always that emissions are lower compared with traditional fossil fuel even if it may sound like it should be. Sources for biodiesel are renewable and they bind carbon dioxide while growing, a circular renewable process compared with the linear non renewable process for fossil sources which only gives emissions. But there are still processes involved in the production and management of biofuel that involves energy usage and emissions that we must take into consideration. Even though biodiesel in itself works fine as an alternative fuel, we must look into
what cash crops to use and how and where
to cultivate them. Otherwise we can't know if the biodiesel production process is sustainable, if it contributes to mitigation of the green house effect or the opposite.
We must evaluate the whole production chain
from planting a seed to the final product.
Scarce ResourcesAs we know by now, we must develop more alternative fuels from
renewable energy
resources in meeting the increasing demand for energy and for phasing out fossil fuel. And as we also know, we must reduce our carbon footprints and lessen the impacts of the greenhouse effect. But even more important is to achieve food security for an expanding population. And one tricky fact is that when developing biofuel we usually need the same resources as when growing food. Resources which are already scarce and over-exploited: So when resources are scarce, what to do? Well, use them wisely and at the same time we have to create societies were we use much less energy and use more energy efficient products and practices. For instance, there are something we all could easily do, and that is to apply
"energy saving at home tips".
Biodiesel Feedstocks - with Pros and ConsRaw materials can be divided in several ways. Here is one: - Vegetable Oil Feedstock
- Waste Oils
- Animal Fats
- Marine Crops
- Halophytes -(crops adapted to a saline environment)
For my purpose I have made a division based on
alternative fuel sources
with more or less potential for being a sustainable option when making biodiesel. Be aware that research can improve, so the information here is not static. It is as I call it, about potentials. MORE AND MORE feedstock will be included. So keep coming back! Feedstock with More Potential:
Algae - Chinese Tallow Tree - Moringa Tree - Pongamia Pinnata - Yellowhorn Feedstock with Less Potential:
Camelina - Jatropha - Palm Oil - Rapeseed(Canola) - Safflower - Soybeans Sunflowers To make the biodiesel expansion sustainable and ethically acceptable we can't choose whatever feedstock that would work. We must choose raw materials that fit into the complex situation we have in the world today. All alternative fuel development must be part
of a more sustainable direction. Of necessity we must start walking in the new direction Right Now! There will be a lot of obstacles on the way, but we'll also find a lot of new opportunities. I am convinced we can make it - if working together. We can make the biodiesel expansion an option for the future, but also the contrary. It is our choice. Come and join the walk! ------------------------------------------------------------ Maybe you have some thoughts to share...
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Commercialization of Pongamia
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Pongamia is a legume tree that is beginning to be commercialized in Australia. Pongamia has two main sources of income, thru production of Diesel or Bio-...
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