Biodiesel is form of diesel fuel that is less harmful to environment compared to standard diesel. Biodiesel, just like any other fuel has its advantages as well as disadvantages, and through this article I’ll try to mention the most important ones. Let’s start with advantages.
Biodiesel advantages:
Biodiesel isn’t toxic.
Biodiesel is biodegradable.
Biodiesel is safer to handle compared to standard diesel.
Biodiesel can be easily blended with standard diesel, and it can be used in most of today’s vehicles even in form of pure biodiesel B100.
Biodiesel can help cut our reliance on fossil fuels, and improve our energy security and energy independence.
Biodiesel could be massively produced in many parts of the world, the US alone has the capacity to produce annualy more than 50 million gallons of biodiesel.
Production and use of biodiesel accounts for significantly less emissions compared to standard diesel, approximately 78% less emissions compared to standard diesel.
Biodiesel has very good lubricating properties, significantly better than standard diesel which can prolong engine’s life.
Biodiesel has shorter ignition delay compared to standard diesel.
Biodiesel has no sulfur content, and so it doesn’t contribute to acid rain formation.
Biodiesel disadvantages:
Biodiesel is currently mostly produced from corn which could lead to food shortages and increased food prices. The end result of this could be more hunger in the world.
Biodiesel is 20 times more suspectible to water contamination compared to standard diesel, and this could lead to corrosion, rotten filters, pitting in the pistons, etc.
Pure biodiesel has significant problems with low temperatures.
Biodiesel is significantly more expensive compared to standard diesel.
Biodiesel has significantly less energy content compared to standard diesel, around 11% less compared to standard petroleum diesel.
Biodiesel can release nitrogen oxide which can lead to the formation of smog.
Biodiesel, despite emitting significantly less harmful carbon emission compared to standard diesel, still somewhat contributes to global warming and climate change.