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Just think of some reasons why you should consider biodiesel in your life and you’ll come up with many reasons why you should also think about learning to make homemade biodiesel. Make a concerted effort to keep this New Year’s resolution for a change! We cannot forget how gasoline prices ran up to a terrible spike a year or so ago. We would all like to take more control over our lives, in any way that we can and not feel that we are slaves to forces, organisations, governments or even countries beyond our reach.

While everyone else around us may appear to be selfish or consumed by their own issues, even if this is not the case, we should ensure that we individually take action to protect our planet. Individuals can make a difference and as our transportation methods account for a sizeable part of greenhouse gas emissions, if (as most people) you need a vehicle to get around, consider fuelling it with biodiesel or at least a blend.

Making biodiesel is a realistic option. You need to learn about transesterification. Fundamentally, you will need animal or vegetable oils, also known as triglycerides and work to remove the glycerine. A catalyst, which in this case is lye, helps to combine the remaining fatty acids to create the biodiesel.

A system allowing you to make bio diesel can be established at relatively low cost. You don’t need to be chemically inclined or to worry about burning the house down as you experiment! You can start out small, see how you get along and work up from there. It’s perfectly feasible for you to make biodiesel fuel for your vehicle and those of your family and save good amounts of money from your annual budget.

Some of the basic chemicals that you will need when making biodiesel fuel include methanol. The methanol needs to be almost pure for it to work. You might think the methanol is linked to global warming and it is in a certain way, but it’s used in very much smaller quantities. In terms of emissions, you will definitely be making a difference versus petroleum or petro diesel. The catalyst, lye, should be protected as it can absorb moisture from the atmosphere. Pick up caustic soda or potassium hydroxide and don’t breathe any fumes or get the mixture on your skin.

Start your initial experiments by using regular, over-the-counter canola oil or sunflower oil. Add to your list a blender, receptacles, an accurate scale, a certain type of container (#2 designation), a couple of funnels, a large bottle to use for settling, a thermometer and a bottle to be used for washing the mixture.

Now you have everything you need to start and can begin your journey toward efficiency! With so much to gain, not only ecologically, but also financially and politically, what could be the reason – or reasons, why it’s taking such an incredibly long period of time to make this extraordinary change for the better, for all of us, not just now, but for all of the future generations which will follow as well?

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Q. Does biodiesel harm an engine?
A. Biodiesel will work in a conventional petro diesel engine with no problems at all. Multiple agencies have tested this combination over millions of miles and in every circumstance. Biodiesel has been used within commercial haulage fleets and regional bus lines for many years with few problems.

Q. Is Biodiesel experimental?
A.The answer is no, it has been used in Europe in widespread fashion since the 80s and within the United States increasingly so over the last decade. In fact, biodiesel goes back to the 1930s when vegetable oil was first converted into fuel, being perfected during the 1980s.

Q. Does the government accept this alternative fuel?
A. The Clean Air Act, subject to the 1990 modification, recognises biodiesel as the only certified alternative fuel. Further, the EPA authenticates and certifies bio diesel fuel.

Q. Where can I get biodiesel?
A. There are now 14 major production facilities in the US and a number of distribution channels. Across the nation, hundreds and hundreds of small operations cater to locals. As diesel engine cars become more widespread, additional facilities will emerge.

Q. Can I just use conventional vegetable oil instead?
A. Absolutely not, vegetable oil must be converted through transesterification into biodiesel fuel first. Alcohol is used with a catalyst to extract the liquid used as biodiesel.

Q. Does it work in cold weather?
A. Biodiesel does have a tendency to gel in very cold conditions, just as conventional petro diesel. Employ the same precautions when the weather turns particularly cold.

Q. Is this fuel good for the environment?
A. Our planet is plagued by carbon emissions and it is good to know that biodiesel is essentially carbon neutral. Biodiesel is made from vegetable crops and these were previously known as “sinks” for carbon, so the fuel is considerably more advantageous from an environmental perspective than the highly toxic, carbon emitting petroleum we otherwise use.

Q. What about clogged filters?
A. As biodiesel is a solvent, it may act to dissolve some deposits which may have accumulated over time in your tank or within pipes. These deposits could then become trapped in filters and it is advisable to clean or change your filters when you first convert from conventional diesel to biodiesel, making way for a cleaner running, longer lasting engine.

Q. Is it okay to make biodiesel at home?
A. Many people have been successful at making homemade biodiesel. Generally, making biodiesel is not very difficult in and of itself, so long as you take certain safety precautions and make sure that you follow the necessary instructions. It is great for the environment!

Q. As interest in biodiesel increases, will this cause over-harvesting?
A. Biodiesel growth must also be sustainable and must be managed so that harvesting does not cause an imbalance in the availability of agricultural crops, especially as they may represent absorbers of carbon already in our atmosphere. This would be a challenge as things unfold.

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Biodiesel can be beneficial throughout our communities and could gain much greater adoption through a process of education. What are some of the top 10 reasons to think about the use of biodiesel?

1. Emissions.
According to the EPA, biodiesel can have considerable health benefits in comparison to its alternatives. In the case of carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas, biodiesel represents a 78% reduction. We should note that the EPA has very recently confirmed that greenhouse gases are indeed hazardous to us.

2. High BTU.
BTU, also known as British thermal units, rank energy output and we know that pure biodiesel has the most effective BTU measurement of all fuels. It is several times more effective than traditional gasoline when we compare the units of fossil fuel energy required to produce an equivalent amount.

3. Think about safety.
Biodiesel has a high combustion point and as such is much safer than traditional alternatives. In its purest form it is biodegradable and is almost completely non-toxic.

4. Promotes less waste.
As biodiesel can be derived from cooking oil thrown out by restaurants, a product created in this way would truly help to turn waste into usable energy. Very often, this waste oil finds its way into our lakes and waterways rather than being correctly disposed of.

5. Can be used without modification.
Biodiesel mixes without any modification with petro diesel. It can be used in any strength or in place of regular diesel. As such it is an option available right now to make your diesel engine vehicles more sustainable.

6. Promotes longer life.
Wouldn’t it be nice to get more life out of your engine – biodiesel employs additional lubricity to ease wear.

7. Help our energy security.
The raw ingredient, soy, is widely available and is one of the most popular domestic crops in the USA. If we can contain production costs within the country where biodiesel is produced, we can shelter our economies from crazy hikes associated with traditional energy forms.

8. Job security?
We have lost so many important jobs to the brutal downturn in the economy. We could direct money for new jobs toward biodiesel fuel production, rather than depleting our revenues, creating jobs overseas by buying petroleum offshore.

9. Benefit the regions.
Regional production of biodiesel can help repair local economies that have been severely damaged during the downturn. Crop producers and farmers can see a new style of return for their work, can feel some element of stability for the future and look for solid growth ahead.

10. It’s better for our health.
While widespread use of biodiesel fuel will certainly lead to fewer greenhouse gases in our environment, helping to reverse climate change and potential environmental damage, it will also emit fewer carcinogens and other cancer-causing components.

We have just seen a considerable number of reasons to justify thinking about making biodiesel for our transportation wants and needs. Create your own trend by mixing a few gallons of homemade biodiesel. You might just start something, but keep in mind, before you get started, always carefully review the “essential safety advice” from the professionals!

Scrapbooking Paper biodiesel, diesel, engine, environment, fuel

We know that we are all creatures of habit and if we can opt to take the easy route, we do. This is not to say that we simply do not care about issues that we seem to have no control over, or that may affect other people out of our sight or even generations in the future, but we just don’t seem to have as much focus when we are not directly affected. This can lead to apathy and inaction, yet through education we can come to terms with the fact that we really should be proactive and make changes for the greater good.

What is in it for me to switch over to the use of biodiesel fuel? There are a number of good reasons for doing so and the answers have added credibility now, even compared to only five or 10 years ago. There are now a number of ecological and economical benefits associated with biodiesel, which did not necessarily mean as much to us a number of years back.

Firstly, carbon emissions are now definitely the enemy of the peace. Today, it is very politically correct to be green. We may see government action to force a reduction in the use of conventional fuels, adding a premium to gasoline, for example. The government has also mandated stricter fuel economies and greenhouse gas emissions may well become hazardous pollutants. Biodiesel helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions associated with traditional fuels, by a factor of almost 80%.

Nowadays, homemade biodiesel fuels can use waste products such as leftover cooking oils, helping to cut down on the issues associated with waste disposal. Biodiesel may also be derived from vegetable products, such as soy, which is readily available within our agricultural communities. Turning to this fuel for our transportation means could provide a fantastic shot in the arm to these communities and farmers, as the crops could be used to full advantage.

Alternative fuels such as biodiesel should be considered for our vehicle transportation needs in much greater quantities, and if this occurs, we will not be so vulnerable to the ups and downs associated with oil production prices when manufactured in foreign lands. We now know what regular diesel here in the UK at £5.00 a gallon or $8.00 represents, but five or 10 years ago could not even imagine such a thing. Biodiesel can be made from domestically available sources and can help promote our energy security in no uncertain way.

The US automotive industry is going to change significantly over the next five years and we’re likely to see an influx of European style – smaller, more economical cars. In Europe, more than 50% of the vehicles run on diesel and as such are ready-made to accept biodiesel fuels. There will undoubtedly be a trend in the United States toward the adoption of these types of vehicles, giving further credibility to the thought of making biodiesel widely available through expanding distribution networks. When the next decade ends, biodiesel fuel will be a staple part of all our economies.

Scrapbooking Paper biodiesel, diesel, engine, environment, fuel

In this day and age, it seems that every one of us is turning into an environmentalist. It seems like it wasn’t that long ago when those who preached about sustainability were derided or at least were partially ignored. Some of them were called “tree huggers,” and as we had little to worry about back then and a somewhat devil may care attitude, we disregarded climate change issues almost entirely. Times have certainly changed and more especially in the last five years or so. Climate change is now big news, being a popular subject of the mainstream press and climate protection is likely to result in significant rafts of legislation in the near future.

Everybody wants to be green these days and we know that we have to cut down on the use of fossil fuels, coal, oil and gas that result in pollutant greenhouse gases and temperature change. Energy is so much a part of our lives and our existence is so complicated, yet we are still mostly unaware of the size of our individual carbon footprints.

The way that we get around – our means of transportation, are for the most part principal emitters of carbon, be they considered individually or as a group. Gasoline and conventional diesel fuel are very expensive commodities and as we mostly rely on foreign sources for these fuels, external influences can directly affect availability, pricing and our very economic security.

It seems that change will be slow to come. We have got to learn how to change our habits and to wean ourselves off our reliance on these fossil fuels, even though our very infrastructure relies so heavily on the sourcing, generation and distribution of these fuels. Unfortunately, the oil industry has a strong political lobbying background and any alternative options face a significant challenge in trying to bring their message to an unaware public.

Biodiesel fuel is an attractive alternative, to say the least. It is produced by mixing vegetable oil or animal fats with methanol and a process of separation derives this alternative fuel. In the United States, biodiesel fuel can be derived from soybean products, with plentiful availability.

Biodiesel is essentially carbon neutral and has very low sulphur rates, especially compared to its alternatives. It can be used in conventional diesel engines without any issues at all and can be mixed in various solutions with petro diesel if required. Such an alternative is not available on a widespread basis at this time, as the infrastructure is simply not in place and distribution solutions undeveloped. We’re becoming more and more aware and interested in hybrid vehicles, and we’re also generating a buzz around biodiesel as an excellent alternative option.

You may be able to consider homemade biodiesel within your household as it is within the reach of most. For some, making biodiesel is more than a labour of love and thousands of people consider it their contribution in the war against carbon emissions. Although making biodiesel can be very rewarding, personally and financially, keep in mind that if you do decide to try making it for yourself, always carefully review what the experts call, “essential safety advice,” before you begin!

Scrapbooking Paper biodiesel, diesel, engine, environment, fuel

The auto industry has really been under the gun for the last 10 years or so due to complex, external forces. Certain sectors of the industry had been slow to catch up with trends through the 80s and 90s, and had become too reliant on multiple vehicle ranges and inefficient practices. Due to foreign competition, an increasing fuel price, more stringent regulation, environmental considerations and finally an economic downturn, the industry has been left reeling.

In 1990, the revision to the Clean Air Act specified that fuels become more sustainable and that manufacturers begin replacing petro diesel engines with low sulphur alternatives. While certain states in the US had restricted diesel engine vehicle sales, this is likely to lift as the pollution associated with diesel slows. There are other factors to take into consideration and we saw during the terrible events of 2001 how vulnerable we can be to foreign interests and how we rely on such countries for fuel needs. We must look for alternative fuel sources to satisfy our economic, environmental and energy security requirements.

In modern times, diesel engines and their internal components are much more able to cope with low sulphur diesel and biodiesel fuels. These days, biodiesel fuel is starting to gain popular acceptance and production has grown by 700% over the outgoing decade.

Following this recession, the auto industry in the US has significantly changed. Chrysler, one of the big three, is now owned by Fiat of Europe and it is likely that we will see vehicles in the US based on European platforms and much more efficient than of old. Diesel engine cars are very much in evidence in European countries and there is no reason to assume that we will not see a pick-up in sales there as well. This would lead to biodiesel becoming more and more important. While prices may be equitable as compared to conventional diesel, vehicles which operate pure biodiesel or a blend are much better for both the health of our global climate and the people.

Biodiesel is not an experimental fuel as some believe. It has a history going back to the 1930s and has been fully certified by the Environmental Protection Agency. Auto manufacturers welcome the use of biodiesel in their diesel engine vehicles as long as the biodiesel is manufactured to internationally accepted standards, and its use will not void an engine warranty, for example. Indeed, biodiesel has a higher lubricity than petro diesel and will help to ensure the longevity of your engine.

While distribution stations are few and far between, the fuel is yet to gain widespread acceptance. Entrepreneurs should consider production and think about making biodiesel fuel commercially available for all of us. Those who start off making homemade biodiesel could move up to the production of the fuel in their local regions. It is possible to obtain certification from the EPA once you have mastered the task of producing the fuel reliably, and to progress by selling it to an increasingly interested public. Biodiesel is a superb alternative fuel, and it’s certainly an option which could radically change our impact on the Earth, perhaps more quickly than we might realise.

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Despite what by any standards was a setback at Copenhagen, there seems little doubt that a considerable amount of attention is going to be focused on the need for us all to become more sustainable during the new decade. There had been much hope for lasting accord in Denmark, as nations met to discuss a successor to the original Kyoto Protocol. Once again though, politics and domestic interests came to the fore, even though individual countries did promise to take concerted action.

Each week seems to bring forward additional evidence pointing to the contribution of greenhouse gas emissions to environmental damage. Over 300 years we have given little regard to the consequences of energy production and use or our reliance on fossil fuels. It seems likely that unless we reduce this reliance, considerable harm will ensue.

The lead is being taken in Europe, where the UK is implementing a trading scheme to force the largest polluters to buy licenses from the government allowing them to emit additional carbon. In these cases, if the companies do not act efficiently, they will incur penalties. Should they not, they will incur penalties. This is just an example of what governments may do as they force our attention toward sustainability.

A large part of the pollution in question can be attributed to transportation methods and our reliance on petroleum and petro diesel to transport our vehicles. Therefore, biodiesel fuel is, as such, destined to become a much more palatable alternative, as it has been shown to considerably reduce carbon dioxide related emissions when compared to conventional fuels.

In the United States, the EPA has ruled greenhouse gases to be hazardous, under the auspices of the Clean Air Act. We can now expect legislation and existing powers to be wielded, forcing emissions to be curtailed from these vehicles.

Biodiesel is emerging as a workable alternative as the solution has holistic benefits as well, and as such we are likely to see more facilities making biodiesel, more places to buy the product and many more people opting to use biodiesel for their diesel engine cars and trucks. Within Petro diesel engines, biodiesel may be used without any further modifications and can be used in a variety of different strengths.

Biodiesel has been around for a considerable period of time but has not retained much interest as conventional petroleum or petro diesel was relatively cheap and we were not sufficiently aware of the damage caused by carbon emissions. That was the past, but this is now and as society continues to demand that we all become more sustainable, bio fuel advocates should ensure that this fuel becomes part of our talking points and alternatives. People now need to move from the process of making homemade biodiesel to demanding that commercially made options are widely available all around them.

We now know that if we all make a concerted effort individually toward real change, whether in small things or on a large scale, anything is possible when it comes to global environmental sustainability, for us, and for our future generations.

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It is difficult to watch the violence that we see surrounding political summits discussing climate change and it makes us realise just how much tension is in the air surrounding this subject. Now we are coming to understand how unsustainable our lives are. Nobody can justify this kind of violence, and it makes us think how these individuals can be so angry and driven, but then when we look at all the material that scientists now give us and realise that our crazy lifestyles really are alien to the sustainable future of our planet. Most of us realise that we now need to aggressively cut down on our energy use, both individually and collectively, and to take a major element of responsibility for what we do. Greenhouse gases are building up in our atmosphere due to our use of those traditional fossil fuels – gas, coal and oil, raising our Earth’s temperature and threatening considerable harm to future generations unless we act quickly.

As always, political developments are slow and we are often frustrated by the inability of our political leaders to make headway. Recent and crucial talks in Copenhagen resulted in only moderate agreement and few, tangible results. As individuals, we all know that we can make a difference if we take action and really focus on how we use transportation on a daily basis. We have been told for years to try and carpool, to use public transportation, to use bicycles or even to walk to work. If environmental reasons are not enough to cause us to constrain our use, we should remember the events of 2008 when gasoline prices spiked considerably.

Our cars, trucks and buses are huge polluters of the environment and the automotive industry in the United States in particular is slow to shrug off the vestiges of an era when gas guzzlers were totally acceptable. It used to be okay to drive a car that was way too big, cumbersome and inefficient for our actual needs and as much as anything else, when gas was only 50 or 60 cents per gallon.

It seems that biodiesel fuel is a much brighter option for the future. The fuel is derived from agricultural products which are generally widely available. The product is made with leftover fat or vegetable oil and mixed with methanol for separation. If you are suitably inclined, making biodiesel at home is a good option. As a rule of thumb, homemade biodiesel in undiluted form can be used in your diesel engine vehicle with no additional effort, but many vehicles use a blend of conventional petrodiesel and biodiesel, called B20, B40, etc.

Biodiesel may not yet have “arrived” in terms of popular culture, but as our desire to cut back on consumption, to explore alternative hybrid vehicles and to generally live greener lives increases, we’re sure to see more emphasis on this renewable form of energy. When this special fuel does eventually become widely available to people all around the world, we will have a much better chance at slowing the incredible rate of global ecological change.

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Biodiesel is still relatively unknown, and due to this lack of education many myths, inconsistencies and “old wives tales” have emerged. It’s important to understand that biodiesel is not an experimental fuel, the subject of inconsistencies or likely to lead to failure or damage to your engine, and we should remember that biodiesel fuel has been around for over 80 years since it was first revealed.

Independent studies show that biodiesel performs equally as well as petro diesel, yet represents a significant benefit to both the health of the population and the environment as a whole. A large number of tests have taken place and they all point to the same thing. US Departments of Energy, Agriculture and the EPA have all analysed, tested and returned positive feedback.

The Clean Air Act, signed in 1990, has recently been the subject of some publicity, as the EPA, using powers vested in the body by the Act, has deemed greenhouse gases to be a hazard to human health. We are now likely to see big consequences for traditional energy sources and fuels and those that emit high levels of carbon. We should know that biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to qualify and pass under the auspices of the Clean Air Act.

Performance related tests have been conducted over more than 50,000,000 miles and have shown that biodiesel is comparable to petro diesel in all types of diesel engined vehicles. It must be noted that biodiesel can be used in regular diesel engines with no modification whatsoever. It can either be used neat or blended with regular diesel. Biodiesel gives better lubricity and can result in longer life and less wear within the engine.

In terms of pure energy performance, this product scores highest among any alternative fuels currently available.

For those who live in colder climes, in the northern parts of the United States or Canada, for example, cold weather is a big consideration. Biodiesel will also react to those cold extremes that can cause issues with conventional diesel engines, but the same preparation methods should be used when cold weather threatens, with no additional considerations. As normal, fuel heating or indoor storage are recommended.

Some people believe that biodiesel can cause filtration problems, but this is only likely when the fuel is first added to a regular diesel engine. As biodiesel is a solvent, it may help to dislodge deposits which exist in pipes or on tank walls. Consequently, the fuel filter should be replaced the first-time biodiesel is used and there should be no issues from then on.

Even though making biodiesel is a little bit more expensive than purchasing conventional fuel, there is definitely a worthwhile increase in fuel quality and overall performance. You can expect longer engine life as a consequence. As you increase the blend of biodiesel, carbon emissions are reduced more and more. If proper precautions are taken when making homemade biodiesel, the fuel can represent a great way to reduce the all-important carbon footprint. Take the leap, and make a change for the better by helping the environment, for this generation, and for all the generations that follow!

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It’s entirely possible that making biodiesel may be a new concept to you. Maybe you will have seen one of those soy powered buses around the place, peaking your interest, or you might just be fed up with those horrible prices at the petrol station. Have you calculated the size of your carbon footprint yet? Each one of us is pausing to consider how we contribute in one way or the other to the threat of global warming and as we get increasingly more frustrated at the site of politicians bickering and taking no action, we must step in.

Some people think that they cannot make biodiesel fuel cost effectively or safely, but they are incorrect. Thousands of people can testify to the fuel’s efficiency as they use it during their daily lives. So long as you have a modicum of common sense and take some time to understand the process, you will be able to proceed perfectly well. You do not need a degree in chemistry and will be able to find the ingredients required rather easily.

It’s essential to remember that you should beware of using any overly simplistic advice or a simply written ‘how to,’ like this one that follows, and before actually attempting to make biodiesel, you’ll need to have exacting information of the process itself and all safety requirements:

Making homemade biodiesel requires you to engage in a process called transesterification. You will be using a catalyst (lye) to remove glycerine from vegetable or animal oils or fats and you will effectively be extracting the oil that you can use in your diesel engine.

Use potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, caustic soda and pick up some methanol as well. Note that you will need to keep the lye and the methanol in water tight containers and you should be aiming to use as pure a product as you can.

Measure out 200 mL of methanol into a sturdy plastic container and then add the lye, or caustic soda. All containers, including the plastic bottle should be tightly closed. Shake the container a few times until everything is dissolved.

Preheat the soy or vegetable oil to about 130°F and pour it into a blender. Add the mixture, close and blend for 30 minutes. The resulting mixture should be decanted into a large and strong bottle with a tight lid. You should let this settle for up to 24 hours and will note that the glycerine, a dark colour, settles at the bottom. When this is the case, extract the biodiesel, essentially the top layer into a clean jar, being careful not to get any of the glycerine layer mixed in.

Next you will need to wash your resultant mixture to remove the remaining imperfections by adding clean water, then letting it settle for about four hours or so, and finally allowing the water to drain through a hole in the bottom of your container that you will have made earlier on.

You may have to repeat the process, but when the product is clear, the water will have evaporated and you will have made your first batch of biodiesel fuel! Now that you know that making biodiesel is possible, look into finding more detailed information on the process and get some essential safety advice, before you begin!

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