chris+kegler

Biodiesel, or a fuel for diesel engines which is made from plant oils or animal fats, is one of the many ways people are coming up with to combat climate change. What most people don’t know, however, is why biodiesel is better. The answer to this is simple: Chemically speaking, biodiesel releases fewer materials which contribute to climate change and global warming.

The process for turning plant oils and/ or animal fats into biodiesel is known as transesterification. During transesterification, an alcohol group from an ester compound is exchanged for another alcohol. The exact chemical make-up of biodiesel varies depending on what it is made from; french fry oil will be different from vegetable oil.

It is a well-known fact that burning things, like diesel fuel, produces the gas CO 2, one of the dreaded greenhouse gases, which contribute so much to global warming and climate change. Burning biodiesel is no different; all combustion reactions produce CO 2. What makes biodiesel better is that, because it is made primarily from plants, and plants take in CO 2 as they grow, roughly half of the gas produced by burning the fuel was absorbed by the plants the fuel was made from before they were harvested. Thus, carbon dioxide emissions could be cut drastically by switching from diesel to biodiesel fuel, and less greenhouse gas would find its way into the atmosphere to cause climate change.

Because this fuel is made from renewable resources, as opposed to traditional diesel, which is pulled up from deposits in the ground, it can be continually supplied, whereas the world grows shorter on petroleum stores as it is all burned in cars, homes, and industry. The fact that biodiesel is completely renewable also helps to ease the threat of an oncoming fuel crisis. Petroleum is a finite resource, and the reckless use of it is rapidly depleting the world’s limited stores of it. Thus, biodiesel is better for the climate on multiple levels. Most diesel vehicles don’t need any refitting to run on biodiesel; most homes would need a bit more, however.

Emissions from the burning of diesel fuels are not limited to carbon dioxide though. Incomplete burning of the fuel, as well as the nature of the fuel itself, cause toxins to be released into the atmosphere, which also help to contribute to climate change, as well as increased health issues. It has been found that, although the burning of both diesel and biodiesel produces particulate matter, that of the diesel was much more harmful to the cells in the throat, which they come into contact with when one breathes. A major concern with ordinary diesel fuel is its emissions, which include unburned particulate matter, nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides and sulfates. All of these can cause serious health problems as well as climate change. In 100% biodiesel, all of these are drastically reduced, except for the nitrous oxide. However, because of the make-up of biodiesel fuel, scientists have been able to come up with an additive which reduces those as well. Even in 20% biodiesel, most of these dangerous emissions are cut down on. Efforts have been made to reduce emissions in regular diesel vehicles, but biodiesel is still far and away better for the environment. Sulfates and sulfur oxides are major components in acid rain, which causes damage to buildings, plants, and public fixtures, sometimes severe. Fuel exhaust is a significant contributor to this phenomenon, but its occurrence can be reduced through more extensive use of biodiesel instead of regular diesel. Overall, the most important aspect in biodiesel’s fight with climate change it the fact that it reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which are the main contributing factor to global warming and climate change.

media type="youtube" key="TC9h78b2RM4" height="344" width="425" here is a video on the making of biodiesel

Bibliography Ackland, Leigh, Linda Zou, and David Freestone. "Biodiesel Breathes Better." __Australasian Science__ Sept. 2008: 34-36. __DieselNet: Diesel Emissions Online__. Dielnet. 24 Mar. 2009 ."Driving Change - Biofuel Emissions." __Driving Change - The Veggie Bus Web Site__. 31 July 2001. 24 Mar. 2009 .Hess, Scott. "HowStuffWorks "How Biodiesel Works"" __Howstuffworks "Auto Channel"__ 24 Mar. 2009 .National Biodiesel Board. __National Biodiesel Board - www.biodiesel.org - www.nbb.org__. National Biodiesel Board. 24 Mar. 2009 .Nelson, Willie. __On the Clean Road Again__. Golden Co: Speaker's Corner Books, 2007.Tickell, Josh. __Biodiesel America__. Ashland: Bookmasters, 2006.Tickell, Josh. __From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank__. Ashland: Bookmasters, 2003.

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Credits: Liz Pittman- research and writing Chris Kegler- dezine, bibliography, and media.Ackland, Leigh, Linda Zou, and David Freestone. "Biodiesel Breathes Better." __Australasian Science__ Sept. 2008: 34-36.