Biodiesel fuel is a renewable, non-toxic and biodegradable form of fuel produced by an oil press extracting the oils from seeds. Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine. Unlike traditional petroleum fuel, it does not damage the earth during its production, processing or use. In the late nineteenth century Rudolf Diesel designed his engine to run on biodiesel, and the first automobile made by Henry Ford was also designed to run on plant-based fuels. Today there is renewed interest in biodiesel due to its low impact on the environment, low production costs and sustainable nature.
Biodiesel Compared to Petroleum: The Environment
Plant-based fuel obtained with oil presses burns much cleaner than traditional petroleum diesel, emitting from 40% to 60% less dangerous greenhouse gases. Biodiesel can be combined with petroleum fuel, which lowers the creation of pollutants in direct proportion to how much biodiesel is added, or it can be used in its pure form. Many people believe this could cause harm to the equipment, but in fact, the opposite has been shown to be true. Adding biodiesel to petroleum fuel actually increases the lubricating qualities of the fuel, easing the wear and tear on the components and lengthening the lifespan of the engine.
A few statistics published by the US Department of Energy and the US Department of Agriculture show that, when compared to petroleum fuel, biodiesel typically produces:
- 78% less carbon dioxide
- 32% less particulate pollution
- 96% less dangerous solid waste
- 32% less particulate pollution
- 96% less dangerous solid waste
Biodiesel Compared to Petroleum: Production
Fossil fuels are mined from the earth with invasive and ecologically damaging techniques. No less damaging is the processing and use of the fuel itself. Biodiesel, on the other hand, can be obtained with oil seed presses from many varieties of plant seeds, including sunflower, canola, linseed, soybean and more. A heated seed oil press is able to extract about 90% - 95% of the oil from the seed. Different seeds yield different amounts of oil, and by running them through the oil screw press multiple times optimum oil extraction is achieved. Growing fuel and extracting it with an oil press is a much cleaner and sustainable process than mining and refining crude oil into useable petroleum fuel.
Biodiesel is gaining in popularity because when compared to petroleum it is cleaner, more sustainable, more efficient and healthier for the environment and all the life it supports.
Kent Hamilton - SEO Marketing expert for CroplandBiodiesel.com. Cropland Biodiesel provides farmers a complete system for creating and
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