Who knew a couple of years ago that restaurant waste can be crafted into a fuel to run cars…? This is not the waste leftover by you in your dinner but the normal vegetable oil used in restaurants. This waste can be skillfully crafted into a fuel known as Biodiesel.
Chemical Makeup:
Biodiesel is usually derived from vegetable oils, like soy but it can also be made from animal fats. These fats or oils undergo a process known as transesterification. This process splits the inputs into two main parts such as alkyl esters and glycerin. Esters are then converted to the useful fuel and glycerin can be converted to soaps and other beauty products. The process can be used on both new and used or waste oil as both of them unveil the same results.
Promises a greener tomorrow:
The fuel produced after the transesterification process is both non-toxic and biodegradable. When burned it produces 60% less carbon dioxide than its predecessor petroleum based diesel. The reason for this is that the fuel is produced from atmospheric carbon dioxide via photosynthesis in plants.
No engine modifications needed:
People usually think that to use biodiesel in their truck they need to make some modification in the engine of the vehicle. This is simply not true and any vehicle which runs on a diesel engine can be powered with biodiesel without any modifications.
Cannot be used in all weather conditions:
The main setback for the fuel is that it cannot be used in all weather conditions. Biodiesel tends to turn a little gelatinous at low temperatures. To overcome this problem one has to use a mixture of petroleum based diesel and biodiesel this lowers the gelling point and it can be used in low temperatures without the fear of it turning to jelly in the engine overnight.
Gaining Popularity:
Biodiesel is not readily available as its petroleum counterpart, but is soon gaining popularity and more stations are coming up everyday. For now it will be better for you to have a look at the gauge before you set out on a journey. For more information on a biodiesel pump near you please click on the map above.
Via: Treehugger
