What is biodiesel?
Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel produced from domestic, renewable resources. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in compressionignition (diesel) engines with no major modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.

Technical Definition:
EN14214 This is the standard for bio diesel now having recently been finalized by the European standards organization (CEN) and is broadly based on DIN51606. EN590 (actually EN590:2000) this describes physical properties that all diesel fuels must meet if it is to be sold within the EU and DIN51606 this is a German standard for Bio diesel and is considered to be the highest standard currently existing within the EU.

Is biodiesel used as a pure fuel or is it blended with petroleum diesel?
Biodiesel can be used as a pure fuel or blended with petroleum in any percentage. B20 (a blend of 20 percent biodiesel with 80 percent petroleum diesel) has demonstrated significant environmental benefits with a minimum increase in cost for fleet operations and other consumers.

How do biodiesel emissions compare to petroleum diesel?
Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act. The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine results in a substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter compared to emissions from diesel fuel. In addition, the exhaust emissions of sulfur oxides and sulfates (major components of acid rain) from biodiesel are essentially eliminated compared to diesel.
Of the major exhaust pollutants, both unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides are ozone or smog forming precursors. The use of biodiesel results in a substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons. Emissions of nitrogen oxides are either slightly reduced or slightly increased depending on the duty cycle of the engine and testing methods used. Based on engine testing, using the most stringent emissions testing protocols required for certification of fuels and fuel additives, the overall ozone (smog) forming potential of the hydrocarbon exhaust emissions from biodiesel is nearly 50 percent less than that measured for diesel fuel.

Can I use biodiesel in my existing diesel engine?
Presently it is recommended that diesel vehicles, post 1990 will have no performance or compatibility problems running on 100% Biodiesel, if unsure contact your vehicle manufacture for future information. In very cold winter months it is recommended that a blend is used min 50/50, from April onwards then use 100% Biodiesel. Amazingly Biodiesel  has a solvent effect that may release deposits accumulated on tank walls and pipes from previous diesel fuel usage. Theses deposits may end up in fuel filters initially, so fuel filters should be checked more frequently at first. Ensure that only fuel meeting the biodiesel specification (D 6751) is used.

Can biodiesel help mitigate “global warming”?
Biodiesel is the best greenhouse gas mitigation strategy for today’s medium and heavy road transportaion vehicles. A 1998 biodiesel lifecycle study, concluded biodiesel reduces net carbon dioxide emissions by 78 percent compared to petroleum diesel. This is due to biodiesel’s closed carbon cycle. The CO² released into the atmosphere when biodiesel is burned is recycled by growing plants, which are later processed into fuel.

Does biodiesel take more energy to make than it gives back?
No. Biodiesel actually has the highest “energy balance” of any transportation fuel. The DOE  lifecycle analysis shows for every unit of fossil energy it takes to make biodiesel, 3.2 units of energy are gained. This takes into account the planting, harvesting, fuel production and fuel transportation to the end user.

Is biodiesel better for human health than petroleum diesel?
Scientific research confirms that biodiesel exhaust has a less harmful impact on human health than petroleum diesel fuel. Pure biodiesel emissions have decreased levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitrited PAH compounds that have been identified as potential cancer causing compounds. Also, particulate matter, an emission linked to asthma and other diseases, is reduced by about 47 percent, and carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas, is reduced by about 48 percent.

Does biodiesel cost more than other alternative fuels?
The duty of 27p per liter to Customs & Excise in the UK payable by the refinery  is expected to help lower the cost of biodiesel until the end of 2007.

Do I need special storage facilities?
In general, the standard storage and handling procedures used for petroleum diesel can be used for biodiesel. The fuel should be stored in a clean, dry, dark environment. Acceptable storage tank materials include aluminum, steel, fluorinated polyethylene, fluorinated polypropylene and teflon. Copper, brass, lead, tin, and zinc should be
avoided. The DOE Biodiesel Handling/Use Guidelines can be found at
www.biodiesel.org.