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Trucks, buses, and farm equipment typically run on nonrenewable diesel fuel. However, they may be converted without modification to run on biodiesel fuel that is a mix of vegetable oils, fats, greases, or soybeans with less petroleum. Biodiesel is renewable energy, biodegradable, cost efficient, non-toxic, non-sulfuric, and produces less pollution than diesel fuel.

Regular diesel fuel contains sulfur, which damages the environment as it is burned. Environmental laws require the amount of diesel sulfur to be severely reduced over the next few years. Petroleum diesel fuel does not work well without sulfur, so biodiesel is added in ratios of 2% (B2), 5% (B5), or 20% (B20). One-hundred percent (B100) biodiesel can also be used. It can also be used as pure biodiesel (B100). Biodiesel may be stored and transported, but B100 (pure) biodiesel must be protected from cold weather. Special anti-freeze must be added. B2 and B5 biodiesel blends have virtually no impact on cold flow.

A 1998 biodiesel U.S. DOE and Department of Agriculture lifecycle study concluded that biodiesel reduces net carbon dioxide emissions by 78% compared to petroleum diesel. And the CO2 released into the atmosphere when biodiesel is burned is recycled by growing plants, which are later processed into fuel.

Biodiesel can also be used to power railroad and aircraft, as well as used for heating oil. The British businessman, Richard Branson (Virgin Airlines) billed his Virgin Voyager train as “the world’s first biodiesel train.” The train was converted to run on 80% petrodiesel and 20% biodiesel. Theoretically it saved 14% on direct emissions. Similarly, a state-owned short-line railroad in Eastern Washington will run on biodiesel made from cranola grown in agricultural areas along the short-line route.

A test flight was performed by a Czech Aircraft completely powered on biofuel. The world's first biofuel-powered commercial aircraft, the “BioJet,” flew from London to Amsterdam in 2008. It was touted as a step toward “cleaner flying.”

Biodiesel used as a heating fuel in domestic and commercial boilers produces “bioheat.” Furnaces can burn biodiesel without any conversion necessary, providing they do no have any rubber parts or varnishes left behind from burning petrodiesel.



Jason Grace
on behalf of the
BascoTec Internet Limited
Technologie Park 13
33100 Paderborn
Germany

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