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Frequently Asked Questions
Many people are not sure about Biodiesel, and as many of us know, rumors often travel faster than the truth. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about Biodiesel; some the answers may surprise you.
Q. What is Biodiesel
A. BioDiesel is a clean burning, alternative fuel produced from renewable resources such as vegetable
oil or animal fats. It can be blended with petroleum diesel to create a Biodiesel blend that can be run
in diesel engines with little to no modifications. Biodiesel is biodegradable, nontoxic, and is almost
completely free of sulfur and aromatics.
Q. What should I know when switching from petroleum diesel to pure
B-100 Biodiesel?
A. 100% Biodiesel cleans your engine as it burns. Initially because of its solvent properties, the
sediments left by the petroleum-based diesel may clog your fuel filter. Also, vehicles produced
prior to 1994 that contain natural rubber seals may experience an increased rate of wear or failure.
Q. Who is using Biodiesel?
A. The National Biodiesel Board released the following Biodiesel sales volume estimates:
1999 - 500,000 gallons
2000 - 2 million gallons
2001 - 5 million gallons
2002 - 15 million gallons
2003 - 20 million gallons
2004 - 25 million gallons
2005 - 75 million gallons
Q. Will I lose engine performance by using Biodiesel?
A. Absolutely not! In fact, many independent tests have shown performance and fuel consumption to be
on par, if not better, than petroleum diesel. Biodiesel, even at very low blends, provides an amazing
amount of increased engine lubricity, which means less engine wear on equipment breakdowns.
Q. Just how safe is Biodiesel?
A. 100% Biodiesel biodegrades faster than sugar and the exhaust gasses from 100% contain no
benzene, formaldehyde, or sulfur. A more common blend of fuel such as 20% Biodiesel + 80% petro-
diesel has been shown to reduce total hydrocarbons by up to 30%, carbon monoxide up to 20% and
total particulate matter by up to 15%.
Q. What about the guy up the road who pure Biodiesel in his tractor and said it ruined it?
A. There are two major things to keep in mind when switching form petroleum based diesel to 100%
Biodiesel:
1. 100% is an extremely clean burning fuel, and as such, it has solvent properties that can and will
break free sediment left in the fuel system by petro-diesel. Care must be taken during the
transitional phase to insure that filters are kept clean. After the initial “change over” phase is
completed you may then resume changing filters according to the manufactures’
recommendations.
2. 100% has been shown to cause increased wear and failure in natural rubber fittings and
gaskets. While this isn’t much of an issue for equipment produced after 1994, owners need
to be aware that pure and high blends of Biodiesel will corrode natural rubber.
Q. Can I use Biodiesel in my equipment without making any modifications?
A. Yes! Lower level blends of Biodiesel such as 20% Biodiesel and lower can be used in almost all diesel
engines, generators, ect. The use of lower level blends does not require any engine modifications and
still provide the same engine performance as petro-diesel, without the harmful exhaust.
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