Biodiesel Facts and Myths
Facts
- Biodiesel is recognized by every industry and government entity, including the EPA and the US Department of Transportation.
- Biodiesel is made by modifying the chemical structure of natural vegetable and animal oils.
- Biodiesel burns significantly cleaner then diesel fuel and is nearly carbon neutral and biodiesel is non-toxic
- Biodiesel has much higher lubricity than diesel fuel resulting in longer engine life and cleaner fuel injection components.
Myths
- "Biodiesel is recycled fryer oil." MYTH. Biodiesel can be made from any vegetable or animal oil but it has been chemically processed into a motor fuel.
- "Biodiesel requires a conversion." MYTH. This confusion is a result of the old practice of burning straight vegetable oil in older diesel engines, which does require a vehicle conversion. Biodiesel does not require a conversion and can be mixed in any proportion with petroleum diesel fuel.
- "Biodiesel is expensive." MYTH. Buying biodiesel at a fuel station costs approximately $4.95 per gallon (July 25, 2012) - roughly the same as the price of petroleum diesel fuel. But biodiesel can be produced by an individual using a BioPro™ processor, usually for approximately $1.00 per gallon! (Camp Blanding, a National Guard unit in Florida makes their biodiesel in a BioPro™ for $0.68 cents per gallon)
- "Biodiesel will void my warranty." MYTH. Many companies warrant their diesel engines for use with biodiesel only to a point, such as a 20% blend. But they are prohibited by the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act from voiding a warranty because a customer exceeds their stipulations, unless the higher blend of biodiesel were to directly cause the failure. By the same logic they can also void a warranty if a bad tank of petroleum diesel fuel directly causes a failure.
- "Biodiesel is a perfect fuel." MYTH. Biodiesel offers huge advantages but, like any fuel, has some limitations. it is affected by cold weather to a greater extent than diesel fuel #2, and it typically delivers 2-3% lower fuel milage.
Bottom line: If it runs on diesel, it will run on biodiesel.
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