Top 6 Advantages of Biodiesel in Six Minutes

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Wanna know what are the advantages of biodiesel in SIX minutes? If yes, then you are at the right place at the very right time. But before going ahead, let me give you a quick overview of fact that what is biodiesel anyway?

As the same suggests, Biodiesel is an alternative fuel source that is capable of replacing fossil fuel-made petrodiesel or simply diesel. By definition, Biodiesel is a kind of biofuel that is made from organic material waste such as vegetable oil or animal fat.

The primary focus behind the invention of biodiesel was to completely replace it with petrodiesel. However, there are plenty of other applications of biodiesel that we see in our day-to-day life. For example, we can use biodiesel for cooking, or cleaning oil spills, or even generating electricity, etc.

 

Top 6 Advantages of Biodiesel in SIX Minutes

If you think you can’t relate to the top 6 advantages of biodiesel over petroleum diesel, well, here is your chance to think again. Let’s dive right in…!!!

  • Biodiesel is Renewable
  • Easy to Use in Existing Engine
  • Easy to Blend with Petrodiesel
  • Biodiesel is Carbon Neutral
  • Safer than Petrodiesel
  • Create Jobs and Uplift Economy

 

Biodiesel is Renewable

biodiesel-renewable-resource
Image Source: Berkeley Lab News

Just because of the fact that biodiesel is made from vegetable oils and animal fats (collectively known as organic matter), it comes under the category of renewable energy resources.

By renewable, I mean the ingredients we use to make biodiesel gets renewed or restored by nature in a short interval of time. In other words, unlike petrodiesel, biodiesel will last forever as long as we have organic matters like plants and animals on earth.

 

Easy to Use in Existing Engines

biodiesel-car
Image Source: The Malaysian Reserve

One of the greatest advantages of using biodiesel is that there is no need to change or even modify the engine of your existing automobile. What I mean to say is that you don’t have to worry about anything.

You can use it directly in your existing vehicle, only and only if your vehicle is a diesel-powered one. In other words, you cannot use biodiesel in petrol engine vehicles. However, as long as your vehicle is a diesel-powered one, you are good to go…!!!

Well, yeah, in some cases, there has to be some modification done. As per the Pacific Biodiesel, Certain older vehicles built before 1993 may require the replacement of fuel lines that contain natural rubber, as biodiesel can cause these lines to swell or crack.

 

Easy to Blend with Petrodiesel

B20-biodiesel
Image Source: CStore Decisions

Yup, you heard me right. Not only you can use biodiesel in your existing diesel engine vehicle. You can also blend it with petrodiesel. There are so many ways to blend biodiesel with petrodiesel. In fact, you can also use 100% biodiesel. For example, as a fuel for your automobile, you can use 20% biodiesel and 80% petrodiesel.

Similarly, you can use 40% biodiesel and 60% petrodiesel. Just to mention, if you are using 20% biodiesel, we call it B20. Similarly, if 40% blending with petrodiesel, we call it B40. In fact, as per the available data, the more you use biodiesel, the more the life of your engine extends.

 

Biodiesel is Carbon Neutral

biodiesel-is-carbon-neutral
Image Source: WallpaperSafari

The principal reason behind the fact that the whole world wants to quit using fossil fuels for energy generation is because when they are burnt, they release a large number of greenhouse gases that primarily contribute to global warming, hence polluting our mother nature.

On the other hand, since biodiesel is 100% certified carbon-neutral, they have the least carbon footprint as compared to the other sources of non-renewables as well as renewables. Therefore, this is the time when we should think about switching to biodiesel instead of using petrodiesel.

In fact, as per the recent data, using biodiesel can reduce black smoke by up to 47%. Similarly, using biodiesel can reduce Carbon Monoxide, Unburnt Hydrocarbons, Speciated Hydrocarbons up to 48%, 67%, 50% respectively.

In addition, using biodiesel instead of petrodiesel can practically eliminate the emission of sulfates in the atmosphere. Sulfate is a toxic material that is one of the sole contributors to acid rain. Therefore, in order to protect yourself as well as your loved ones, I would simply request you to switch to biodiesel instead of using petroleum diesel.

 

Safer than Petrodiesel

safer-than-petrodiesel
Image: Adobe Stock

The next one in my list of top 6 benefits of using biodiesel is that it is less volatile as compared to petrodiesel. In other words, the ignition temperature of biodiesel is higher than that of petrodiesel.

As per ScienceDirect, the average flash point of biodiesel is somewhere around 150°C. On the other hand, the average flashpoint of petroleum diesel ranges between 55°C to 66°C. To sum up, biodiesel is safer to handle, store, and transport from one place to another.

Creates Jobs and Uplift Economy

biodiesel-sector-creates-job
Image Source: Contract Jobs

Just because of the fact that biodiesel is a homegrown source of energy, it exclusively helps in the upliftment of the rural as well as the national economy. On the other hand, using biodiesel instead of petroleum diesel can also help us to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels which we have to import from foreign countries.

Talking about jobs, the biodiesel sector creates an infinite number of job opportunities. Some of the notable sectors include Farming, Agriculture Engineers, Aquaculture Technicians, Genetic Engineers and Scientists, Microbiologists, Truck Filling Station Workers, Railcar Operators, Plant Operators, Harvesting Equipment Mechanics, and many more.

 

Some other Advantages of Biodiesel

Apart from the above-mentioned benefits or advantages, I am also mentioning some of a few here.

  • Improves air quality
  • High profit for Biodiesel producer
  • Biodegradable
  • Waste reduction
  • Pairs well with other renewables
  • Non-toxic
  • Widely available
  • Reduces landfill
  • Provides stability in Energy Sector, etc.

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I am a mechanical engineer by profession. Just because of my love for fundamental physics, I switched my career, and therefore I did my postgraduate degree in physics. Right now I am a loner (as ever) and a Physics blogger too. My sole future goal is to do a Ph.D. in theoretical physics, especially in the field of cosmology. Because in my view, every aspect of physics comes within the range of cosmology. And I love traveling, especially the Sole one.

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