Wood Chemistry PSE 406 Bioenergy-Biodiesel What is biodiesel? Biodiesel is a renewable fuel produced from vegetable oils such as rape seed oil, sunflower seed oil, soybean oil and also used frying oils (UFO) or animal fats.In the transport sector, it may be effectively used both when blended with fossil diesel fuel and in pure form. Tests undertaken by motor manufacturers in the European Union on blends with diesel oil up to 5-10%, or at 25-30% and 100% pure have resulted in guarantees for each type of use. Minor modifications (seals, piping) is required for use at 100% pure, unless specifically guaranteed by car manufacturers.The use of biodiesel as a transport fuel does not require any changes in the distribution system, therefore avoiding expensive infrastructure changes. Biodiesel is also used as an efficient heating oil. Why use biodiesel? Biodiesel has been demonstrated to have significant environmental benefits in terms of decreased global warming impacts, reduced emissions, greater energy independence and a positive impact on agriculture. Various studies have estimated that the use of 1 kg of biodiesel leads to the reduction of some 3 kg of CO2. Hence, the use of biodiesel results in a significant reduction in CO2 emission (65%-90% less than conventional diesel), particulate emissions and other harmful emissions. Biodiesel is extremely low in sulphur, and has a high lubricity and fast biodegradability. These are all advantages which have been confirmed by various EC Commission programmes and tests of independent research institutes.As such, an increased use of biodiesel in Europe represents an important step for the European Union to meet its emission reduction target as agreed under the Kyoto agreement. Additionally reducing pollutant emissions alleviates various human health problems. In specific cases, used vegetable oils can be recycled as feedstock for biodiesel production. This can reduce the loss of used oils in the environment and provides a competitive and CO² advantageous way of transforming a waste into transport energy. Biodiesel production also plays a useful role in agriculture. Under the current Common Agricultural Policy, the arable raw materials needed for biodiesel production may be grown on set-aside land, land which would otherwise be taken out of production.Biodiesel production uses today around 3 million hectares of arable land in the EU. Under appropriate economic conditions, biodiesel production could represent a significant absorbing potential for additional acreage resulting from the agricultural surfaces of the 10 new EU Member States and the forthcoming accession of Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia in the European Union.Production of biodiesel in the EU Biodiesel has been produced on an industrial scale in the European Union since 1992, largely in response to positive signals from the EU institutions. Today, there are approximately 120 plants in the EU producing up to 6,100,000 tonnes of biodiesel annually. These plants are mainly located in Germany, Italy, Austria, France and Sweden. Specific legislation to promote and regulate the use of biodiesel is in force in various countries including Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Sweden.The EU has also published strict guidelines in compliance with CEN Standardization (EN14214) in order to insure quality and performance. EBB's role in the European Commission With the above in mind, EBB has been invited by the European Commission to contribute to policy development to reach the set target within the framework of the European Climate Change Program.

Agenda Why biodiesel? How to make it? Cars Possible sources Biodiesel Bioethanol One bushel of soybeans produces about 1.5 gallons of biodiesel. Over 100 cities have run demonstrations or test projects utilizing biodiesel, including more than 1,000 buses and several million miles. A gallon of soy-based biodiesel contains 132,902 BTUs. Biodiesel improves air quality by sharply reducing the emissions, including particulate matter, that straight petroleum diesel releases when it burns. Biodiesel-powered engines deliver similar torque, horsepower and kilometres per litre as petroleum-powered diesels. Biodiesel does not require new refueling stations, new parts inventories or expensive engine modifications. France is currently the world's largest producer of biodiesel, using it as heating oil and also in 50 percent blends with petrodiesel.

Biodiesel Biodiesel is not the same thing as raw vegetable oil. It is produced by a chemical process which removes the glycerol from the oil. Biodiesel Domestic Renewable For diesel engines Derived from natural oils

Why biodiesel? Biodiesel Biodegradable Non-toxic Lower gas emission that diesel when burned (reducing green house gases by at least 50%) Commercially available in Europe and the USA

Biodiesel Biodiesel is typically produced by a reaction of a vegetable oil or animal fat with an alcohol such as methanol or ethanol in the presence of a catalyst to yield mono-alkyl esters and glycerol, which is removed.

How? Tranesterification: alcohol + ester → different alcohol + different ester Base of acid as a catalyst The oil is mixed with an alcohol, usually methanol or ethanol, and separated into methyl esters (biodiesel) and glycerol.

Rudolf Diesel “The use of vegetable oils for engine fuels may seem insignificant today,” he argued, “but such oils may become, in the course of time, as important as petroleum and the coal-tar products of the present time." The first diesel engine, built in 1893, was fueled with peanut oil

Possible sources Vegetable oil (soy, canola, coconut etc.) Recycled cooking oil (McDonald’s fryer) Animal fats (fish oil) the bioBug

Biodiesel cars The same or higher fuel economy as diesel A slight increase in fuel economy and a smoother running engine due to the cleaning and lubricating properties of the fuel.  Other benefits Better smelling exhaust (french fries or a warm waffle iron). Special materials required for fuel lines, hoses, valves, gaskets. Spokane region (3-county region surrounding Spokane) Waste cooking oil and locally grown canola or yellow mustard. This 500,000 acres would produce enough oil to produce 25 million gallons of biodiesel. Biodiesel can be used in pure form (B100) or may be blended with petroleum diesel at any concentration in most modern diesel engines. Biodiesel will degrade natural rubber gaskets and hoses in vehicles (mostly found in vehicles manufactured before 1992), although these tend to wear out naturally and most likely will have already been replaced with Viton which is nonreactive to biodiesel. Biodiesel's higher lubricity index compared to petrodiesel is an advantage and can contribute to longer fuel injector life. Biodiesel is a better solvent than petrodiesel and has been known to break down deposits of residue in the fuel lines of vehicles that have previously been run on petrodiesel[citation needed]. Fuel filters may become clogged with particulates if a quick transition to pure biodiesel is made, as biodiesel “cleans” the engine in the process. It is, therefore, recommended to change the fuel filter within 600-800 miles after first switching to a biodiesel blend.

Flexible-Fuel Vehicles (FFV) Use E85 (85% ethanol and 15% gasoline) Cost of FFV is similar to traditional gasoline vehicle 1gallon of E85 provides the same energy as 0.72 gallons of gasoline (lower E content) Special materials required for fuel lines, hoses, valves, gaskets, fuel tank (corrosive ethanol) Washington state more than 35, 000 of FFVs (U.S. over 4 million FFVs) Ford Focus, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Stratus, Dodge Caravan, Chevrolet Avalanche