Alternative Fuel In Automobiles
Biodiesel is another
option for an alternative fuel. It is produced by mainly renewable
sources such as vegetable oils, and animal fats. It could be easily
substituted as a clean burning replacement for diesel fuel. Biodiesel
is used in blends with normal diesel fuel. The blend of Biodiesel is
measured by the percent of Biodiesel that is mixed, for example: B20 is
20% Biodiesel and 80% Diesel, Pure Biodiesel is B100.
There are many benefits that go along with
the use of diesel fuel. As said before Carbon Dioxide is a very
dangerous green house gas that is emitted by normal gasoline and normal
diesel fuel. Is has been found that using B100 reduces the emission of
Carbon Dioxide by 75%, and the use of B20 reduces the emissions 15%.
Also the use of Biodiesel produces fewer particulate matter, carbon
monoxide, and sulfer dioxide emissions. All of these emissions are
named as public health risks. Another benefit of using Biodiesel is
that the use of B20 and most of the higher blends require very little
or no engine modification. Also gas stations would not need special
pumps or hoses to begin using biodiesel. The combination of the ease of
institution and the environmental benefits make Biodiesel look like a
good choice. Also the performance is equal to that of normal diesel
using vehicles.
Unfortunately, there are some downsides to using
Biodiesel. One of the smaller disadvantages is that if used in cars
that are older than 1994, the higher blends of biodiesel can damage the
engines. But the main disadvantage is that diesel is normally
only used in bigger trucks so the application of it might not reach the
smaller car users. Also, biodiesel is considerably more expensive. The
cost of biodiesel ranges from $1.95 to $4.75 a gallon.
Stations offering Biodiesel can be found all over the
United States. The use has grown fast over the past few years.
Many government agencies are using biodiesel in their fleets, such as
the Postal Service, the Departments of Defense, Energy, and
Agriculture. Many other municiple government agencies also have begun
to use at least the smaller blends of biodiesel.
A Blue Sun Biodiesel Pump
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Biodiesel
