As the world begins to become more and more environmentally conscious we have begun to seek alternate and renewable energy sources to sustain our daily living. One such renewable source that has grown in interest and market is that of “Biofuel”. A biofuel is a fuel that is made from ingredients rather than of fossil fuels such as crude oil. One of the major biofuels is called “Biodiesel”. Biodiesel is an alternative or additive to standard diesel fuel that is created from animal fat or plant oils through a series of chemical reactions. It is mostly derived from plant oils such as those of plants found commonly in the average American’s kitchen. Plant oils such as soybean, canola, palm, cottonseed, sunflower, and peanut all contain fats that are liquid upon room temperature. These fats are called “tricyglycerols” and they are most often transformed through a process called “transesterification”. This process purifies the tricyglycerols, and then reacts them with an alcohol such as ethanol or methanol and with a catalyst such as sodium hydroxide. Through this process the triacyglycerol is transformed into esters and glycerol. The remaining esters are what we call biodiesel and the remaining glycerols are used in items such as soap and cosmetics. Pure biodiesel can be blended with petroleum diesel to fuel a wide variety of diesel feed vehicles. The average ratio used today is about 20% biodiesel to 80% petroleum diesel, which when used is labeled B20.

Biodiesel can also be used to in combination with heating oil to heat not only residential homes, but industrial buildings as well. It provides virtually the same energy per gallon of petroleum diesel and it is neither costly nor time consuming to convert to its usage. The state of Massachusetts is now the first state in the U.S. to require that all home heating be done with the use of biodiesel. The federal government is also bumping up its requirements for the use of biodiesel. By 2010 all diesel oil heating and vehicles are to have 2% biodiesel blended it.

In our efforts as a country and as a world we are working to create a more “green” future. Biodiesel is one way to fuel us in that direction. With less polluting than petroleum diesel and a less cost of conversion, it shows great potential for a long-term choice for fuel. Today the U.S. alone is averaging production of over 700 million gallons per year. On our universal quest of renewable energy sources one would see that we are indeed on to something in the find of biodiesel fuels. It is simple to use, biodegradable, non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and a seriously renewable energy source.

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