29th
May
2008
Biodiesel can extend the life of your engine whether it is in your diesel equipped auto, truck, tractor, bus or highway rig. Biodiesel can increase the longevity of your engine by up to 100 %. Costs are reduced – whether it be for maintenance or vehicle replacement. The engine last longer , breaks down less frequently resulting in longer vehicle life spans , greater reliability and overall less vehicle costs – again be it diesel equipped auto , car, truck ,tractor or highway rig.How can this be so? The improved lubrication properties of biodiesel over regular vehicle diesel fuel results in increased parts longevity by up to 100 %. As a result commercial vehicles may be used for decades as well as travel millions of miles. Increased engine longevity translates into reduced maintenance costs, longer life spans and overall increases in reliability.Biodiesel is a renewable fuel derived from vegetable oils, animal fats and cooking oils that are processed so that it can be added to diesel fuel as an additive. You cannot just mash up these fats and mix them with your diesel fuel. It is not as if any old Alvero character can make biodiesel in his garage at home. If the biodiesel is not prepared properly in a qualified industrial process – the contaminants of water, glycerols and other trace elements can well clog up your fuel injectors or even an expensive injection pump. Properly done biodiesel is a safe and beneficial fuel additive – now being routinely recommended and touted by major vehicle and diesel engine manufacturers.Prepared properly in a commercial setting. and bought commercially you can be assured that not only will the biodiesel will be safe for your engine to use – but will even give the benefits of much greater engine life , enhanced reliability and lower maintenance costs overall.Biodiesel is added to the regular diesel fuel. The percentage added depends on the climate the vehicles or autos will be used in. In warmer climates – such as tropical or
Florida type climates – a percentage mixture of up to 20 % can be used. A 20 % biodiesel percentage in a truck driven up North to
Edmonton
Canada in the cold of winter will thicken up in the cold
Alberta winter weather.In such a cold winter temperature a biodiesel mixture ratio of 5 % would probably be used. To increase the blends of biodiesel used commercial vehicles such as trucks and busses can have fuel heaters installed – either inline fuel heaters of fuel tank heaters.Why go to all this trouble for biodiesel ? First of all biodiesel is a renewable resource – crops such as soybean oil or canola can be used instead of scarcer and more expensive petroleum oil based products. Using biodiesel doe mean that we use less regular diesel, however the percentages of biodiesel use are relatively small. For example most diesel manufacturers recommend only 5 biodiesel (B5 mixed wit 95 % regular diesel. Of course again in colder climates such as
Edmonton Alberta the percentages may be eve less. Biodiesel is also good for reducing emissions and pollution levels of sulphur, carbon monoxide as well as overall tailpipe smog pollutants.However as with most good things in life there are disadvantages to the use of biodiesel as a vehicle fuel additive. First biodiesel has slightly less energy than regular diesel fuel, so that the larger the percentage content of the Biodisel in the fuel – the less power the engine will have to deliver. Fortunately at the low percentages of biodiesel being used as a fuel additive this is not a major issue.In addition biodiesel spoils with time. If the biodiesel is too be stored for a long period of time – then additional additives must be added.As a result of its benefits to reducing petroleum oil use and increasing engine life and reliability biodiesel has a bright and emerging future in our transportation and automotive industries.The use of biodiesel – an alternative renewable fuel, is fast on its way up.
posted in BioDiesel |
29th
May
2008
Anyone who is tired of skyrocketing gas prices should learn to use water as fuel. As far fetched as it sounds, there are actually several blueprints available that will show you exactly how to run a car on water and how to do so safely and with very little investment.Scientists have been working on a way to use water for gas for several years. Some have actually been driving their own water powered cars for some time now. For some reason, the government hasn’t gotten on board in this development, but rather has opted for pushing the electric, or hybrid cars instead. If you’ve got an extra $30,000 to $50,000 to spend on a hybrid that’s great! Most of us don’t! Blueprints for converting our current cars to run on water are available all over the internet. Prices for these plans run from around $100 down to about $45. There may be some even lower as competition is beginning to build.With the plans you will learn that you won’t get to use water as fuel in 100% capacity. You will still need gas, but these methods will increase your mileage by as much as 200%! It will also burn much cleaner which is a plus for the environment. You will get plans to build the conversion kit yourself. It is not difficult and all of the necessary parts are easily available at the hardware store. The total costs for parts should be under $50.The experts say this is 100% safe for all cars and trucks. Many of the websites about running your car with water have great videos that cover the safety issue in detail.This morning I spent $85 to fill my tank. That was the last straw for me as I still had over a quarter tank when I pulled into the station. I’m a slow learner, maybe one with too much optimism that oil prices will soon drop. Obviously, I’m wrong about that! The only answer I can see is to begin to run my car with water.
posted in BioDiesel |
26th
May
2008
You may be surprised to find out that the United States consumes a quarter of the world’s oil supply but only carries three percent of the world’s oil reserves on its own territory. As a result,
America is forced to import over 60% of the oil our country needs, relying more and more on foreign countries, particularly in the
Middle East, to support our oil dependency.Many experts are under the impression that the introduction and popularity of hybrid vehicles in the
US will lessen our dependency on overseas oil. Powered jointly by gasoline and electric engines, hybrids use much less gasoline than conventional vehicles and therefore use less oil. Over 11 million barrels of oil are imported into the
US each day and although most of it is contributed to industry, the running of vehicles still uses quite a bit of oil and hybrids provide a way to limit that amount.Because the market reacted so well towards the introduction of hybrid vehicles, it is predicted that more Americans will buy the fuel-efficient automobiles, which also lower gasoline costs and are better for the environment. Many hybrid buyers are also gaining incentives, offered by the government, and have been spreading the word about the benefits of hybrid vehicles to their friends and familiesThough
US oil dependency will be affected by the sales of hybrids, it is unlikely that it will be a huge selling factor. It was recently discovered that if every car in the
US was a hybrid car, the country would be saving approximately 15 percent more oil than usual. Because oil is such a hot commodity, this seemingly small amount could change a lot in the political and economical world as well effect as the attitude American consumers have about the environment.Though consumers are welcoming hybrids to the market, the vehicles are being sold faster than they can be made and the change in
US dependency will come slowly. Despite the effects the vehicles have on oil usage, the environment and the amount of gasoline used, many car owners are unlikely to trade in their current vehicles for a hybrid model. The process, however, has begun and it won’t be long before the effects of purchasing a hybrid will be seen in American economy.If the prospects of saving hundreds of dollars a month on gasoline costs, helping the environment and benefiting from buyer incentives isn’t enough to make your next car a hybrid, think of the amount of oil your country imports from others and do something to help lower that dependency.
posted in BioDiesel |
15th
May
2008
Biodiesel can extend the life of your engine whether it is in your diesel equipped auto, truck, tractor, bus or highway rig. Biodiesel can increase the longevity of your engine by up to 100 %. Costs are reduced – whether it be for maintenance or vehicle replacement. The engine last longer , breaks down less frequently resulting in longer vehicle life spans , greater reliability and overall less vehicle costs – again be it diesel equipped auto , car, truck ,tractor or highway rig.How can this be so? The improved lubrication properties of biodiesel over regular vehicle diesel fuel results in increased parts longevity by up to 100 %. As a result commercial vehicles may be used for decades as well as travel millions of miles. Increased engine longevity translates into reduced maintenance costs, longer life spans and overall increases in reliability.Biodiesel is a renewable fuel derived from vegetable oils, animal fats and cooking oils that are processed so that it can be added to diesel fuel as an additive. You cannot just mash up these fats and mix them with your diesel fuel. It is not as if any old Alvero character can make biodiesel in his garage at home. If the biodiesel is not prepared properly in a qualified industrial process – the contaminants of water, glycerols and other trace elements can well clog up your fuel injectors or even an expensive injection pump. Properly done biodiesel is a safe and beneficial fuel additive – now being routinely recommended and touted by major vehicle and diesel engine manufacturers.Prepared properly in a commercial setting. and bought commercially you can be assured that not only will the biodiesel will be safe for your engine to use – but will even give the benefits of much greater engine life , enhanced reliability and lower maintenance costs overall.Biodiesel is added to the regular diesel fuel. The percentage added depends on the climate the vehicles or autos will be used in. In warmer climates – such as tropical or
Florida type climates – a percentage mixture of up to 20 % can be used. A 20 % biodiesel percentage in a truck driven up North to
Edmonton
Canada in the cold of winter will thicken up in the cold
Alberta winter weather.In such a cold winter temperature a biodiesel mixture ratio of 5 % would probably be used. To increase the blends of biodiesel used commercial vehicles such as trucks and busses can have fuel heaters installed – either inline fuel heaters of fuel tank heaters.Why go to all this trouble for biodiesel ? First of all biodiesel is a renewable resource – crops such as soybean oil or canola can be used instead of scarcer and more expensive petroleum oil based products. Using biodiesel doe mean that we use less regular diesel, however the percentages of biodiesel use are relatively small. For example most diesel manufacturers recommend only 5 biodiesel (B5 mixed wit 95 % regular diesel. Of course again in colder climates such as
Edmonton Alberta the percentages may be eve less. Biodiesel is also good for reducing emissions and pollution levels of sulphur, carbon monoxide as well as overall tailpipe smog pollutants.However as with most good things in life there are disadvantages to the use of biodiesel as a vehicle fuel additive. First biodiesel has slightly less energy than regular diesel fuel, so that the larger the percentage content of the Biodisel in the fuel – the less power the engine will have to deliver. Fortunately at the low percentages of biodiesel being used as a fuel additive this is not a major issue.In addition biodiesel spoils with time. If the biodiesel is too be stored for a long period of time – then additional additives must be added.As a result of its benefits to reducing petroleum oil use and increasing engine life and reliability biodiesel has a bright and emerging future in our transportation and automotive industries.The use of biodiesel – an alternative renewable fuel, is fast on its way up.
posted in BioDiesel |
4th
May
2008
Popularity of Hybrid CarSince 2000, when Honda and
Toyota introduced Hybrid vehicles to the
U.S. market, they have become increasingly popular. The American Government has begun to offer incentives to hybrid owners, and many establishments offer free parking. Why has the hybrid become so popular?In order to understand why this type of vehicle has become so popular, you must first understand some of the facts. A hybrid car is one that combines two technologies; the gas powered engine, along with an electric motor, which has batteries that continuously charge while the vehicle is in motion, and powers the vehicle during certain times to aid in the reduction of harmful fumes.Running of the Hybrid CarGenerally, even in a hybrid, the gasoline powered engine is still the primary source of power for the vehicle. However, the electric motor may be used at any time, either alone, or in conjunction with the gasoline motor. Whenever the vehicle is stopped, the gasoline engine shuts off, while essentials stay on with use of battery power. When the car is once again accelerated, the engine resumes. The idle state of the motor is shown with lighting indicators, as the quiet sound will often deceive drivers and parking attendants.Advantages of a Hybrid CarThere are several direct and indirect advantages to owning a hybrid car. Perhaps the most talked about advantage is the economic cost, and the increase of mileage for fuel use. The second advantage is the fact that hybrids are much more environmentally friendly, requiring much less fuel to operate, meaning that less emissions make it into our atmosphere. The last advantage is the lightweight of the vehicle. These cars are so light because they are manufactured with aluminum and plastic.You may be thinking that if these cars are so lightweight, that they just cannot be safe. Well, the manufacturers have considered this opinion, and to ensure your safety, have used special shaped panels for the vehicle, which give it increased strength and ability to withstand substantial impact.Having read this article, you are now more informed about the advantages of a hybrid car, as well as some facts about them. With this knowledge in hand, you now have what it takes to make a decision about becoming a more environmentally friendly citizen, while saving yourself some money.Hybrid Cars: The Energy Saver AdvantageElectric hybrid cars are environment friendly, burn less oil, and are more cost effective as compared to gasoline run cars. Since the hybrid cars burn less fuel, they can be the fitting answer to environmental problems of air pollution, reduced levels of oxygen in the air and hole in the ozone layer. Moreover, the fuel efficiency offered by hybrid cars will help us to conserve our depleting energy resources and cut down on the fuel costs. Now that we are aware of the advantages of hybrid cars, let us understand what hybrid cars are and how they work.The Mechanism of Hybrid CarsThe hybrid cars operate on a fusion of gasoline and electricity engines. The cars have a gasoline engine for starting backed up by an electric power motor, for speeding the vehicle. The generators are for using the energy generated by braking and deceleration to charge the batteries to run the electric motor.There are two variants of hybrid cars-parallel hybrid cars and series hybrid cars. In a parallel hybrid car, the transmission is connected to the gasoline engine just as in a conventional car, as well as an electric motor. It is called a parallel hybrid because there are two distinct energy sources running the car. When the electricity is running the engine, it is not burning gasoline.The other kind of hybrid car, is known as a series hybrid. In this car, the gasoline engine works in sequence with the electric motor to run the car. The car eventually runs on electricity.The Pros and Cons of a Hybrid CarA hybrid car will save your money on petrol, and prove to be a boost to our environment by not causing pollution. It will also help conserve our natural resources. Among its few shortcomings, its cost is the main hindrance. This is preventing more people from purchasing hybrid cars. However, this limitation is not a permanent feature. The high cost of hybrid cars is due to limited demand and production. The production cost will come down with an increase in demand and subsequent increase in production of hybrid cars.Another drawback is that the hybrid car is that the car can run on electric engine only on low speeds. The gasoline engine starts running if the car is on a highway and does not experience frequent braking or deceleration.Now, we have something that we can drive around without feeling guilty about causing pollution. However, it would make real difference only if each of us would drive a hybrid car. The hybrid technology has not yet been introduced in all kinds of vehicles, such as tractor-trailers or large commercial automobiles, which are bigger consumers of fuel and major source of pollution. Therefore, until that happens, we cannot expect much to change with our environmental problems.
posted in BioDiesel |
1st
April
2008
Better think again as there are a number of different types of hybrid vehicles available and even more on the way. Buyers need to be informed and realize that hybrid vehicles can be drastically different in terms of both technology and the hit to your checkbook. In the following article I will breakdown the different technologies available and help you determine what is best for you.Full HybridsAt this point most people would agree that these are the best types of hybrids currently available. They operate using two separate propulsions systems, the internal combustion engine and the electric motor which can work independently of each other. Under certain driving conditions, typically low speed, the car can operate purely on the electric motor. More…Full hybrids use regenerative braking which takes energy that would normally be lost and uses it to charge the hybrid battery packs. Full hybrids usually achieve very good fuel efficiency. At this point full hybrids can be more expensive than the other type hybrids cars, but the price should come down as popularity increases. An example of a full hybrid is the Toyota Prius.Mild HybridsCar manufacturers in a rush to capitalize on hybrid sales, created a breed of hybrid vehicles called mild hybrids. Upon closer examination you will come to realize that many of these “mild hybrids” are as much a hybrid car as a vehicle with a turbocharger, which is why many people do not even consider these hybrid vehicles. In a mild hybrid car the electric motor is not connected to the powertrain like in a full hybrid. The electric motor will assist the internal combustion engine, but is incapable or propelling the vehicle on its own. Mild hybrids certainly aren’t a bad thing but they do have the tendency to mislead the consumer. They are much cheaper to manufacture, are not as complex, and do achieve a slight increase in gas mileage. The Chevrolet Malibu hybrid is one example of a mild hybrid and it only nets approximately 2mpg more than its non hybrid counterpart.Plug-In HybridsPlug-In hybrids at this time are not available from any car manufacturer, but you can expect to see them in the near future. The plug-in hybrid uses the internal combustion engine only as a backup to the electric motor. These hybrids can be plugged into a normal household electrical outlet to charge, but in addition they can also use the same charging capabilities of a full hybrid. While full hybrids utilize the electric and internal combustion engine all the time, plug-in hybrids will only use the internal combustion engine as a backup when the electric motors batteries run out of juice. At this point the car will operate as a full hybrid. Plug-In hybrids are expected to achieve better fuel efficiency than the other hybrids and many people see this technology as the future of hybrid technology. At this time there are a few companies that will convert your full hybrid, like a Toyota Prius, into a plug-in hybrid, but they are more of a novelty at this point as they are cost prohibitive.Performance HybridElectric motors can offer instant torque unlike a conventional combustion engine. Some companies realized that you can take a smaller gasoline motor and pair it with an electric motor to get the performance of a much larger engine, and also get good fuel efficiency. A good example of this would be the Lexus GS450h which is capable of going 0-60 in 5.2 seconds, but gets a respectable 25mpg city / 28mpg freeway. The great thing about performance hybrids are the cars can get the performance of a V8 engine, but get the fuel efficiency of a smaller motor.In closing, be sure to do your homework when buying a hybrid car as some hybrids might not be what you expected in terms of fuel efficiency or price. A car can have a badge that says hybrid on it but only get 17mpg. All of the above technologies have their place and it should be very exciting to see what the future holds for hybrid technology.
posted in BioDiesel, Future Fuels |
24th
January
2008
No matter which defensive driving course you choose, defensive driving lesson plans vary little from state to state. All secured driving plans are designed with one purpose in mind, and that is to teach drivers how to avoid becoming involved in accidents.All safe driving lessons will include classes on how to anticipate trouble before it starts by observing traffic patterns, recognizing warning signs, and knowing the defensive driving techniques to employ to prevent accidents instead of having to react to them.Pay Attention!A lapse of attention is the single largest cause of accidents, and in particular those accidents which involve drivers not far form their own homes. Drivers who are traveling on familiar roads often relax their attention more than they should. defensive auto driving plans however, stress the importance of drivers maintaining complete focus on both their own driving and the surrounding traffic and potentially dangerous road conditions or hazards.To simply understand and heed the rules of the road regarding right of way is often not adequate to prevent an accident from occurring. Safe Lessons for driving will always recommend that it is safer to yield the right of way in an uncertain situation than to issue a challenge.You’re The Only Sane One Out ThereYou can never be certain about the driving abilities or mindset of any of the other drivers with whom you are sharing a roadway. Driving tips will include instructions on how to develop the philosophy that you are the only person driving that stretch of road who concentration encompasses not only your vehicle, but all the vehicles and potential road hazards around you.Driving defensively means learning to read situations before they fully develop. Riding lawn mowers are often ridden by homeowners who assume the responsibility for the grass growing right down to the edge of the road, and they may come right out into the road to get it. Learning to drive defensively will have you one lane over before the lawn mower even gets to the side of the road.Driving courses will usually include advice on how to stop tailgaters. Most drivers think that by pumping their brakes, they will signal the tailgating vehicle that it is too close, but what they are often doing is simply adding to the other driver’s frustrations. Even worse, they can actually end up being hit from behind.The defensive driving lesson plan will instead suggest that you simply slow down to a speed just below that of the other traffic, without hitting the brakes. The tailgating vehicle can then drive around your car safely, even though its driver may shoot you an aggressive look or hand gesture in passing!
posted in BioDiesel, Driving Tips |
19th
December
2007
Biodiesel blends are becoming more essential to the every day operation of farm vehicles and machinery, trucks, buses and boats both big and small. This is because there are a slew of advantages to using one of the designer fuel biodiesel fuel blends on the market.First of all any substance that helps reduce the U.S. dependence on foreign fossil fuel oils can’t help but be a good thing. This is particularly true in the
United States, which has resorted to a fair amount of aggression to take control of the world’s oil supplies. If you cut your gasoline or diesel with a biodiesel fuel blend such as fuel boost you are cutting down on your need to use foreign fossil fuels and creating jobs for Americans who grow the soy and canola that is used to make biodiesel blends.Biodiesel can be used in a blend in many different kinds of existing diesel engines without modification. Biodiesel burns substantially cleaner than petroleum based diesel fuel in both vehicles and machinery.·Biodiesel is carbon-neutral which means that its contribution to global warming is negligible compared to petroleum products. In addition to displacing imported petroleum, biodiesel blends reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases. A 1998 biodiesel lifecycle study, jointly sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, concluded biodiesel reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 78 percent (compared to petroleum diesel.) The CO² released into the atmosphere when biodiesel burned is recycled by plants, which produce more oxygen.Biodiesel is a lubricant that reduces wear and tear on engine parts by almost one half! In fact it is already added to many petrodiesel fuels to increase the lubricity of diesel engines and fuel systems. It is also a solvent that can help keep your system clean.Sick of seeing black smoke flume out from your exhaust. Biodiesel burns cleaner and produces less smoke. The smoke it does produce is white as opposed to back. The exhaust from biodiesel also smells better. People say it reminds them of the smell of popcorn or French fries.Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments as biodiesel produces less sulfur emissions than regular diesel.However biodiesel is still not that widely available commercially. Still the consumption of biodiesel has greatly increased since 2001. This is why so many people are ordering their own car conversion “grease car” kits or home brewing systems to make their own biodiesel.If you have an older machine, then there is a chance that using a biodiesel fuel additive such as FuelBoost could have the effect of cleaning or thinning old petroleum from the walls of your fuel lines and clog up your engine.Biodiesel in a pure form (such as B100) has a high gelling point compared to other fuels. This means that it thickens when the temperature falls below the freezing point (32 F). However there are solutions to this such as using a blend of biodiesel called B20. B20 is a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% regular diesel and has a gelling point of –15 degrees F. Adding a biodiesel additive such as Fuel Boost to the blend also lowers the gel point even further so that your fuel lines don’t clog up in the winter.
posted in BioDiesel |
11th
December
2007
If you own a tractor, truck or a boat you are probably a bit bemused by the phenomena of biodiesel being a “new thing” when it comes to extending mileage, lubricity or reducing pollution The truth is that using B5 as an additive to boost the lubricity of an engine and solve combustion issues is not new at all. It has been used for decades as a way of keeping large farm machinery operating in the winter.The upshot is that bio can lubricate vehicle machinery far better than petroleum diesel fuel. Scientist and farmers have realized for years that there is marked improvement in lubricity when alternative diesel is added to conventional diesel fuel. Even blend levels as low as one percent can provide up to a 65 percent increase in lubricity in distillate fuels.Biodiesel additives have been in the spotlight lately because of global warming. Using just plain ULSD diesel is not the “magic solution” when it comes to global warming because of course this fuel does emit soot, carbons and sulfur. This is evident if you have ever watched exhaust coming out of the back of the exhaust pipe of a bus, boat or tractor. The addition of alternative fuels in boats, tractors, buses and other large vehicles can greatly help reduce these toxic emissions as well as the noise that these vehicles can make. This is because a machine that is well lubricated with bio-blends is just not as erratic in its function.The fact that these blends make the running of vehicles much easier in general has led to the development of all kinds of designer additives, for both diesel fuel and gasoline run vehicles. One company that has been at the forefront of developing these types of designer formulas is Fuel Boost. Fuelboost raises the cetane level in pumped diesel, which also gives the using machine more mileage.The Fuel Boost Company specifically manufactures a Diesel Formula that removes soot deposits on valves and intake ports and strips the engines of built up carbon. This formula also reduces the thick black smoke that can be emitted into the atmosphere.The smoothness and mobility of diesel fuel is especially important for diesel engines and machines that use rotary and distributor type fuel injection pumps. In these pumps, the fuel itself lubricates moving parts as it moves through the pump. This is exactly the type of instance where the addition biodiesel can greatly increase the efficiency of a machine.The efficiency of other diesel fuel systems-which include unit injectors; injectors, unit pumps, and in-line pumps also rely on well-lubricated diesel fuel. The reason that these fuel blends of 20% or lower are usually added to regular diesel fuels is because these fuels consisting of methyl esters of soybean oil. The esters in bio have superior scuffing and adhesive wear resistance that exceeds conventional diesel fuelsTo ensure the safest use of alternative diesel fuel, make sure that the additive you use it meets the ASTM specification for pure biodiesel (ASTM D 6751) before blending with petroleum based diesel fuel. This ensures that your machine will not experience operational problems.
posted in BioDiesel |
5th
December
2007
Biodiesel can increase the longevity of your engine by up to 100 %. Costs are reduced – whether it be for maintenance or vehicle replacement. The engine last longer , breaks down less frequently resulting in longer vehicle life spans , greater reliability and overall less vehicle costs – again be it diesel equipped auto , car, truck ,tractor or highway rig.How can this be so? The improved lubrication properties of biodiesel over regular vehicle diesel fuel results in increased parts longevity by up to 100 %. As a result commercial vehicles may be used for decades as well as travel millions of miles. Increased engine longevity translates into reduced maintenance costs, longer life spans and overall increases in reliability.Biodiesel is a renewable fuel derived from vegetable oils, animal fats and cooking oils that are processed so that it can be added to diesel fuel as an additive. You cannot just mash up these fats and mix them with your diesel fuel. It is not as if any old Alvero character can make biodiesel in his garage at home. If the biodiesel is not prepared properly in a qualified industrial process – the contaminants of water, glycerols and other trace elements can well clog up your fuel injectors or even an expensive injection pump. Properly done biodiesel is a safe and beneficial fuel additive – now being routinely recommended and touted by major vehicle and diesel engine manufacturers.Prepared properly in a commercial setting. and bought commercially you can be assured that not only will the biodiesel will be safe for your engine to use – but will even give the benefits of much greater engine life , enhanced reliability and lower maintenance costs overall.Biodiesel is added to the regular diesel fuel. The percentage added depends on the climate the vehicles or autos will be used in. In warmer climates – such as tropical or
Florida type climates – a percentage mixture of up to 20 % can be used. A 20 % biodiesel percentage in a truck driven up North to
Edmonton
Canada in the cold of winter will thicken up in the cold
Alberta winter weather.In such a cold winter temperature a biodiesel mixture ratio of 5 % would probably be used. To increase the blends of biodiesel used commercial vehicles such as trucks and busses can have fuel heaters installed – either inline fuel heaters of fuel tank heaters.Why go to all this trouble for biodiesel ? First of all biodiesel is a renewable resource – crops such as soybean oil or canola can be used instead of scarcer and more expensive petroleum oil based products. Using biodiesel doe mean that we use less regular diesel, however the percentages of biodiesel use are relatively small. For example most diesel manufacturers recommend only 5 biodiesel (B5 mixed wit 95 % regular diesel. Of course again in colder climates such as
Edmonton Alberta the percentages may be eve less. Biodiesel is also good for reducing emissions and pollution levels of sulphur, carbon monoxide as well as overall tailpipe smog pollutants.However as with most good things in life there are disadvantages to the use of biodiesel as a vehicle fuel additive. First biodiesel has slightly less energy than regular diesel fuel, so that the larger the percentage content of the Biodisel in the fuel – the less power the engine will have to deliver. Fortunately at the low percentages of biodiesel being used as a fuel additive this is not a major issue.In addition biodiesel spoils with time. If the biodiesel is too be stored for a long period of time – then additional additives must be added.As a result of its benefits to reducing petroleum oil use and increasing engine life and reliability biodiesel has a bright and emerging future in our transportation and automotive industries.The use of biodiesel – an alternative renewable fuel, is fast on its way up.
posted in BioDiesel |