In: Chemistry
What are the advantages and disadvantages to biodiesel?
Advantages of biodiesel fuel
• Biodiesel fuel is a renewable energy source unlike
petroleum-based diesel.
• An excessive production of soybeans in the world makes it an
economic way to utilize this surplus for manufacturing the
Biodiesel fuel.
• One of the main biodiesel fuel advantages is that it is less
polluting than petroleum diesel.
• The lack of sulfur in 100% biodiesel extends the life of
catalytic converters.
• Another of the advantages of biodiesel fuel is that it can also
be blended with other energy resources and oil.
• Biodiesel fuel can also be used in existing oil heating systems
and diesel engines without making any alterations.
• It can also be distributed through existing diesel fuel pumps,
which is another biodiesel fuel advantage over other alternative
fuels.
• The lubricating property of the biodiesel may lengthen the
lifetime of engines.
Disadvantages of biodiesel fuel
• At present, Biodiesel fuel is bout one and a half times more
expensive than petroleum diesel fuel.
• It requires energy to produce biodiesel fuel from soy crops,
plaus there is the energy of sowing, fertilizing and
harvesting.
• Another biodiesel fuel disadvantage is that it can harm rubber
hoses in some engines.
• As Biodiesel cleans the dirt from the engine, this dirt can then
get collected in the fuel filter, thus clogging it. So, filters
have to be changed after the first several hours of biodiesel
use.
• Biodiesel fuel distribution infrastructure needs improvement,
which is another of the biodiesel fuel disadvantages.
We hope you found the above article on biodiesel fuel advantages and disadvantages both informative and useful.