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What Is Biodiesel

Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil and animal fats, biodiesel is a renewable, clean-burning diesel replacement that can be used in existing diesel engines without modification. It is the nation’s first domestically produced, commercially available advanced biofuel.

A Technical Definition Fuel-grade biodiesel must be produced to strict industry specifications in order to ensure proper performance. Biodiesel must meet specifications for legal diesel motor fuel (ASTM D975) and also the ASTM definition for biodiesel itself (ASTM D6751). Raw vegetable oil cannot meet these diesel fuel specifications and therefore is not considered biodiesel.

The technical definition of biodiesel is as follows:

Biodiesel, n - a fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, designated B100, and meeting the requirements of ASTM D 6751.

Biodiesel Blend, n - a blend of biodiesel fuel meeting ASTM D 6751 with petroleum-based diesel fuel, designated BXX, where XX represents the volume percentage of biodiesel fuel in the blend.

Producing Biodiesel Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification whereby the glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil. The process leaves behind two products – methyl esters and glycerin.

Methyl esters is the chemical name for biodiesel and glycerin is used in a variety of products, including soap.

Growth of An Industry Biodiesel’s early growth was careful and deliberate, with a focus on sustainability for the industry. Biodiesel works seamlessly with existing infrastructure and vehicles, and the industry has spent significant time documenting and showcasing the fuel’s abilities. Today, more than 78 percent of diesel vehicles coming off production lines are approved for up to B20 use.

Current Production Biodiesel production spans across the US and has grown to more than 125 plants with the capacity to produce 3 billion gallons. In 2018, the US biodiesel industry produced 2.6 billion gallons of biodiesel. Production isn’t only about gallons produced, but also about the economic benefits to the US. The biodiesel industry supports nearly 60,000 jobs and generates billions of dollars in GDP, household income and tax revenues.

Biodiesel Availability Biodiesel is available nationwide and blends over 4 percent are required to be labeled at the pump. Look for the Black and Blue biodiesel sticker when filling up. Biodiesel can be purchased through distributors or at retail locations.

Sustainability New land is not required for biodiesel production. Instead, this advanced biofuel uses readily available, diverse resources. And, that’s not all. Biodiesel has several environmental benefits when compared to petroleum-based diesel fuel:

Reduces lifecycle greenhouse gases by 86 percent Lowers particulate matter by 47 percent, reduces smog and makes our air healthier to breathe Reduces hydrocarbon emissions by 67 percent For every unit of fossil energy it takes to produce biodiesel, 3.5 units of renewable energy are returned, the best of any U.S. fuel