What is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a renewable, clean-burning diesel replacement that is reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil, creating jobs, and improving the environment.
WHAT FEEDSTOCKS MAKE BIODIESEL?
Biodiesel can be produced from natural feedstocks, such as vegetable oils and animal fats. The most common feedstocks used globally are soy bean oil, canola oil, palm oil, corn oil, animal fats, and used cooking oil.
HOW IS BIODIESEL MADE?
Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification that converts oils and fats into fatty acid methyl esters, also known as FAME.
HOW IS BIODIESEL USED?
Biodiesel can be used in its pure form or blended with on-road petroleum diesel and heating oil. It can be blended into its petroleum fuel equivalent to any desired ratio.
WHY CHOOSE BIODIESEL?
Biodiesel is good for the environment and our economy. It is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions when compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and is biodegradable; and since it is produced domestically, it decreases our dependency on imported fuel and contributes to our domestic economy. This renewable fuel source is also clean burning, which means it reduces the harmful greenhouse gas emissions normally produced by diesel or petroleum based fuel sources, such as heating oil.
WHY CHOOSE BIOHEAT?
Biodiesel blended into heating oil and other fuel sources, allows furnaces to burn cleaner and therefore last longer. Lower level of toxic emissions vs petroleum fuels makes bioheat the preferred home heating oil fuel.
Biodiesel has passed EPA’s Tier 1 and 2 health effects testing with flying colors. It reduces nitrous oxide in boilers and home heating equipment. Studies show that ultra-low sulfur heating oil and biodiesel blends yield these stunning results: greenhouse gases (CO2 equivalent emissions) are lower than those from natural gas.