The Good and Bad of Biodiesel

Generally Biodiesel is used either as an additive to ordinary diesel or as a full replacement. Biodiesel is different from ordinary
diesel because it is made from biological ingredients such as plant oils or animal fats. It is both non-toxic and renewable
through farming and recycling. Biodiesel is safe and biodegradable and can be used in standard diesel engines with little or no
modification. Usually it is blended with ordinary diesel, most commonly in a 20% or B20 mixture where 20% is biodiesel and the
remainder is ordinary diesel.

The Pros

• Biodiesel is environmentally friendly
• It can reduce usage of petroleum based fuels reducing global warming pollutants
• It helps lubricate the engine itself reducing wear and tear
• It can be used in nearly any diesel engine with little or no modification
• It is non toxic (about ten times less toxic than table salt) and biodegradable making it safer in the event of a
fuel spill. Pure biodiesel will degrade as fast as sugar.
• It has fewer harmful emissions than conventional diesel fuel

• It is a renewable source of fuel
• It has a higher flashpoint than conventional diesel making it less likely to accidentally combust.

The Cons

• NOx (nitrogen oxide) emissions are higher for biodiesel
• Biodiesel behaves as a solvent, though helpful in cleaning the engine the newly freed particulate matter (engine
dirt) can clog the fuel filter. It is recommended to change the fuel pump shortly after switching to biodiesel in older
vehicles.
• The solvent like behaviour of biodiesel also breaks down rubber and components such as fuel lines and fuel pump
seals. It is recommended to change out old rubber components for newer ones designed to resist biodiesel.

• There is a slight reduction of power with biodiesel, on average about 10%
• In colder climates additives such as kerosene may need to be mixed with biodiesel as it has a higher gel point.
Pure biodiesel becomes slushy at 32°F while a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% ordinary diesel gels at 7°F