E N D
What is a diesel engine? • It is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber. This is in contrast to sparkplug-ignition engines such as a gasoline engine which uses a sparkplug to ignite an air-fuel mixture.
Biodiesel-Not a new fuel • In 1895, Rudolf diesel designed the diesel cycle engine. • His first fuel was biodiesel. (peanut oil) • SupplantedbyPetro-diesel • Due to availability, distribution, consistent quality, pricing
What is biodiesel? • Biodiesel is a biodegradable, combustible liquid fuel derived from vegetable oils or animal fats that and is suitable for blending with diesel fuel for use in internal combustion diesel engines.
Why Biodiesel? • Fewer harmful emissions compared to petroleum diesel • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions (reduced contribution to global warming) • Less toxic than table salt • Biodegrades as fast as sugar • Sulfur free
Advantages Biodiesel • It’s renewable • Biodegradable • Nontoxic • Energy efficient • Engine friendly • Lubricates engine.
How is it made? • Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils, yellow grease, and tallow. The production turns oil and fats into biodiesel. The process is referred to as transesterification. About 100 pounds of oil and fat are reacted with 10 pounds of alcohol (usually methanol) in the presence of a catalyst (usually sodium hydroxide [NaOH] to form 100 pounds of biodiesel. Triglyceride: Fat or Oil molecule Biodiesel molecules
Common problems • Presence of water • Incorrect catalyst amount • Insufficient mixing • Not enough methanol
Petroleum (Liquid Fuel) Picture • We currently import over 50% of our petroleum needs - 70% by 2025. • Once roughly half the oil has been extracted, it becomes harder – and more expensive – to get at the remainder. • The key date is not when the oil runs out, but when production peaks, meaning supplies decline. The peak may come by about 2020. Proved Oil Reserves 2003
Engine mods for Biodiesel • Biodiesel blends can be used in any internal combustion diesel engine with no special modifications or extra machinery. There is one minor issue when using B100. Since B100 can degrade certain elastomers (seals) in engines, the rubber fuel hoses and fuel pump seals need to be replaced with compatible elastomers