Bio Diesel Fuel – An Energy Source Now and for the Future

July 8, 2011 By

Bio Diesel fuel is a diesel equivalent, processed fuel derived from biological sources, such as vegetable oils, which can be used in unmodified diesel engine vehicles. It can also be used as a heating fuel in domestic and commercial boilers. There are a number of naturally occurring and renewable resources it can be refined from including algae, vegetable oils, animal fats or recycled restaurant greases. It can also be processed where ever the raw materials to make it exist.


Bio diesel fuel is nearly completely free of sulfur and aromatics and is a naturally oxygenated fuel because it is composed of almost 10 percent oxygen. Because of this biodiesel provides a significant reduction in particulate and carbon monoxide emissions then petroleum based diesel fuel.


It is also safe to handle and transport because it is has the biodegradability of table sugar, is 10 tens less toxic then plain salt, and has a high flashpoint, the temperature at which it catches fire, of 300 degrees Fahrenheit as compared to regular diesel fuel which flashes ate 125 degrees Fahrenheit. Bio diesel can also be blended with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend as well as its ability to be used in almost any diesel engine without any modifications.


Many gas stations are beginning to make biodiesel available to consumers and a growing number of transport fleets are using it as an additive to their fuel. It is important that fuel grade bio diesel be refined to tight industry specifications in order to ensure proper performance. One of the benefits of this fuel is it lower engine wear. In fact some vehicle manufacturers are beginning to make engines specifically for bio diesel for this reason.


Because it is a better solvent then regular diesel it tends to clean the engine when first used and removes deposits from the fuel lines which can clog fuel injectors. After switching to biodiesel most car manufacturers recommend changing the fuel filter to help prevent this. Use of this fuel leads to lower engine emissions while improving engine lubrication. Many government fleets on the federal and state level as well as utility fleets are now required to purchase 75 to 90 percent alternative fuel vehicles these days. Since biodiesel is the lowest cost alternative fuel option many of these fleets are converting to its use.


Diesel forms nearly 40% of the energy consumed in the form of hydrocarbon fuels, and its demand is estimated at 40 million tons per year. In the coming years as concerns about rising fuel prices and the lack of renewable energy sources rises the value of bio diesel fuel as a cheap renewable energy source will continue to rise.

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Are You Saving Thousands of Pounds Each Year with the Alternative Red Diesel Fuel?

July 7, 2011 By

Everyone is always looking for a way to cut down on their costs, and fuel costs are always a good place to start as here you can make the biggest changes. For consumers, whether they are home owners looking for a better way to heat their homes, or business owners looking for a more efficient way to do business, alternative fuel options should always be considered.

Alternative Red Diesel Fuel?

Red diesel is chemically similar to normal diesel used to power cars and trucks; however, whereas diesel for cars is subject to taxation, fuel for other purposes such as heating oil is not, which is why it is considerably cheaper. A red dye has been has been added to the diesel to differentiate between the two types. The product goes by a number of other names in the industry, such as heating oil, gas oil, or medium diesel, but all of these refer to the same thing.

What are the Uses of Red Diesel Fuel?

Red diesel is a versatile option, whether for residential or commercial use. For residential use, it provides a cheap and reliable source for heating your home. It can also be utilised for a number of commercial purposes. Farmers can use this drastically cheaper fuel to power their farm equipment, as long as the equipment is not for transportation on public roads. Construction firms can utilise it for bobcats, bulldozers, and other off-road engine equipment.

Where is Red Diesel Available?

This fuel is available from a vast number of registered suppliers accross the UK. Many companies have fine-tuned their process and delivery system to make sure you never run out. Orders can come in large or small quantities with a customary next day delivery. Bulk quantities can be delivered by articulated tanker and smaller deliveries can be as small as a 205 litre barrel. However, if an emergency arises, many companies are prepared to make a guaranteed same day delivery. Many of the big companies have offices manned 24 hours a day, 7days a week, 365 days a year. With fuel prices constantly changing with the ever moving economy be sure to call around to get the lowest available rate. If you already have a supplier who you work with consistently, you may want to see if they will match the lowest bidder. Loyalty has value and developing a relationship with one supplier can pay dividends.

Question by Nick C: How viable is natural gas as an alternative fuel?

Do we have enough of it to run every car on the road without spiking the price due to increased demand?
What is the state of the global reserves of natural gas?

Best answer:

Answer by oil field trash
No we do not have sufficient readily available to run all the cars on the road. On average we use about 390 million gallons of gasoline each day in the US. That is a lot of natural gas when you consider the energy in each cubic foot of natural gas to that of gasoline.

There is a limited amount of natual gas in the world and much of it is not in the place where it is needed. Turning it into a liquid for transport and the moving it to market is expensive and many places do not want LGN terminals in their back yards so siting storage is very very difficult.

What do you think? Answer below!

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Diesel Fuel Prices Versus Gasoline Prices

July 6, 2011 By

History has it that the gasoline prices have been higher than the diesel fuel prices.  But then again, this does not always hold true.  During some winters, the demand for distillate heating oil increases which also raises the price of diesel fuel—so much so that is becomes more expensive than gasoline.

In the United States since September 2004, the price of diesel fuel has been by and large higher than the price of gasoline all year round and this is due to numerous reasons.  The worldwide steady increase of demand for diesel fuel and other distillate fuel oils has put pressure on the tight global refining capacity—more so with the strong demand of such products in China, Europe, and the United States.

The transition from low sulfur diesel (LSD) fuel to ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel in the United States has affected the diesel fuel production and distribution costs.  This is due to the new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for diesel fuel sulfur content.

Another reason for this shift in the norm between gasoline and diesel fuel prices is that the federal excise tax on the latter is higher than the tax on gasoline.

The Primary Factors Affecting The Price Of Diesel

Cost and supply of crude oil – The worldwide supply and demand of crude oil determines its price, and the rising demand has put great pressure on the supply.  The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has all of the spare production capacity and possesses a significant percentage of the world’s crude oil reserves.  The prices spike as a response to the disorder in the international and domestic crude oil supply.

Tight refining capacity and international diesel fuel demand – Refineries in the United States have been in operations at around 90-percent capacity.  Other countries depend more heavily on distillates and diesel fuel than does United States, thus making the refining capacity tight worldwide.  Competing international demand for refined distillates affects the price of diesel fuel in the United States.

Product supply/demand imbalances – The prices of other commodities are more stable as compared to the prices of fuels because of the dependence on petroleum and because there are few alternative fuels in the market.  The stocks decline fast if the supply declines unexpectedly.  When stocks are low and declining, some players may bid higher for the product.  Prices will stay high if the diesel fuel transportation system cannot support the flow of surplus supplies.

Seasonality in the demand for diesel fuel and distillates – The price of diesel fuel slowly rises during the fall, declines in the late winter, rises through the early spring, and then declines in the summer.  The demand by farmers during the different seasons creates an upward pressure on the diesel prices.

Transportation costs – The distance between the retail location and distribution terminals and refineries has a direct relationship with the transportation cost—that is, an increase in one increases the other.

Regional operating costs and local competition – Depending on the location of the dealer, the cost of doing business varies which include wages and salaries, benefits, equipment, lease, insurance, overhead, and state and local fees. Even if retail stations are in close proximity to one another, they still have differing costs.  Another factor that affects diesel fuel prices is the number and location of the local competitors.

Gas prices are rising and you are feeling the pinch everytime you top up diesel fuel at the station. The best way to get out of the increasing fuel price is to look into alternative fuel.

Question by Aaron: Are ceramic membranes a key to alternative fuel?

I made obscure studies on filtering technology and how this one can actually create hydrogen fuel. but however i also heard that it takes more energy to create this fuel energy than it is to use it but with ceramic membrane is this a different story?

Best answer:

Answer by Peter
No The laws of physics will still apply no matter how you create the hydrogen fuel.

Add your own answer in the comments!

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Combating High Diesel Fuel Prices

June 28, 2011 By

With the gasoline and diesel fuel prices increasing, people have come up with various solutions to go around this situation.  One of these solutions is the use of diesel fuel additives.  Primarily they are known to increase lubricity of fuel, hence decreasing the wear and tear of engine parts.  What is more is that it also can increase gas mileage.

Being a highly complex fuel, diesel fuel’s chemical structure changes from the time it leaves the refinery to the time it is pumped into holding tanks and fuel station to the time it gets pumped into the vehicle.  Oxidization and structural changes occur in the fuel molecules.  The energy per unit volume of the fuel can change during this phase, and this is what will cause your engine to have poor performance.

To combat the effects of fuel degradation and increase the fuel’s cetane value (discussed in detail below), the right type and ratio of fuel additives have to be used.  Among a myriad of benefits, the engine will be able to obtain more power from a gallon of fuel.

Diesel fuel has more energy per gallon as compared to gasoline.  The three types of diesel fuel are 1D, 2D, and a combination of the two.  The lighter grade is 1D, and it offers less energy than 2D.  It is more commonly used to reduce, if not eliminate, the gelling of fuel during cold winter climates; some people combine it with 2D.

The cetane rating denotes the diesel fuel’s ignition quality.  The higher the rating, the easier the fuel burns evenly and the more power is produced.  The average diesel fuel is at the 40-cetane level.  Large diesel trucks and diesel pickup trucks prefer a cetane rating in the 45- to 50- level; this is considered as the premium diesel. However, this is not a general categorization—that is, the state’s regulations will dictate at which cetane rating is diesel fuel considered premium.

You should check with the fuel station with regard to the cetane ratings of the fuel they are selling.  The higher the cetane rating, the better the drivability as well as reduced emissions.  Moreover, the driver of the vehicle can feel the change in power (for the better).

Choosing the right diesel fuel additive can assure you that the diesel fuel will perform at its maximum because of its optimum quality.  Here are some of the effects of a good quality diesel fuel additive:

– Reduces Cylinder Wear:

It neutralizes acids during combustion.  It minimizes the wear of the acidic cylinder and it reduces the rate of engine oil depletion; thus, maintaining the quality of the engine oil for better protection.

– Minimizes Soot Loading:

It cleans fuel injectors and piston rings for better combustion and sealing.  This reduces soot loading, controls soot-related wear, and increases engine oil viscosity.

– Stabilizes Fuel:

Fuel degradation increases deposits, which can promote the plugging of filter.  The additive improves oxidation and thermal stability of the diesel fuel.

– Improves Fuel Economy:

It cleans dirty injectors as it improves the acceleration and restores horsepower, and in the long run it will enhance performance.

– Improves Water Tolerance:

An alcohol-free additive protects fuel systems against water contamination, helping to prevent emulsions.  It also protects the metal against rust.

To combat the increasing diesel fuel prices, you can consider using a diesel fuel additive and experience the change in your expenses as well as the drivability of your vehicle. Another way to get out of the increasing fuel price is to look into alternative fuel.

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Alternative Fuel To Fight Diesel Fuel Prices

June 10, 2011 By

Auto-Fuel.Blogspot.Com Using Alternative Fuel To Fight Diesel Fuel Prices

Video Rating: 0 / 5

Question by guitinit: Even if there were an alternative to fuel wouldn’t it be choked out by the big oil companies?

Alternative fuel research is a top priority, but if there were someone who would discover this alternative method wouldn’t it be stamped out by “Big Oil?” Don’t the major oils companies have enough influence to say, “we’re going to lose too much money on this, don’t produce it yet to the government?” What do you think? Is there an answer, but it is just being held up by poitics?

Best answer:

Answer by steve
I think probably to some extent. However, the oil companies will be at the forefront of developing any alternative.

This means that they could simply buy out the little men who come up with any viable alternatives they have not already thought of themselves.

There are already alternatives on the market. For example, all my local Petrol (Gas) stations are selling hybrid fuel at a fraction of the cost of regular petrol. The only problem is it cost a fortune to convert your car to run on it, and the conversion gear practically fills the boot of your car.

Give your answer to this question below!

As the year 2009 gets closer and closer to its final few months, there can be no doubt that the issues taking more and more of the column inches and the attention of our politicians are, more than any other, the economy and the environment. There are some who would argue that concentration on one of these issues precludes attention being given to the other – surely cheap energy is environmentally unsound, and green energy is expensive? The contention of the Alternative Fuel & Vehicle Conference is, however, that this could not be further from the truth. In actual fact, the organizers claim, there has never been a better time to look at green alternatives than now, while we are facing the questions of the biggest recession to hit the world since the first half of the 20th Century.

From the 22nd to the 25th of April this year, the 2009 Alternative Fuel & Vehicle Conference took place at Walt Disney World in Orlando. It was billed as the premier international event covering alternative fuels and vehicles which can use them. For fleet managers and other people seeking to discover the best way to fuel a large transport solution in a cleaner way, the opportunities offered by the conference are second to none. Among the topics covered at the many presentations and conference stalls were: government grants for alternative fuels; ways to cut emissions from large commercial fleets; and new, green vehicle technology to empower businesses to make the important changes that will become more and more important in the coming years.

The conference was attended and exhibited at by many of the most prominent energy companies and vehicle manufacturers in the world. The impression is very much that now we have taken some steps on the road towards energy efficiency, it is a genie that cannot be pushed back into its bottle. Among the exhibitors and sponsors of the event were Clean Energy Fuels, General Motors and the bus fleet company Foton America. Other major vehicle manufacturers such as Honda and Toyota – both famed manufacturers of hybrid automobiles – were also present at the exhibition. Their presence was designed to highlight the non-petroleum options available to drivers and companies, including natural gas, propane and electricity.

 Among the information included in the pre-event publicity was a stunning statistic. At the time of the first Alternative Fuel & Vehicle Conference in April 1994, a barrel of crude oil cost just .38. Now, we are looking at prices upwards of a barrel, and expecting that to rise. It is becoming financially and environmentally less sustainable to operate by the old means, and a conference which addresses issues of fuel efficiency and petroleum displacement is an indispensable part of the fight back. With presentations on topics as varied as “The Promise of Biomethane” and fuel cell transportation, the 2009 conference was judged to be a huge success. The 2010 conference, to be held from May 9-12 next year, will be the first post-Copenhagen. It will be interesting to follow how things develop between now and then.

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Alternative Fuel To Fight Diesel Fuel Prices

June 4, 2011 By

Article by Fred K

When diesel was much cheaper than gasoline, everybody went to buy diesel engine vehicles. But the soaring prices of crude oil in the world market and the increased demand for diesel have significantly increased diesel fuel prices, especially in July 2008. While it is becoming cheaper now, no one really knows if diesel prices will stay at its current low price level. And so technologists, scientists and environmentalists have developed alternative fuel to fight the soaring cost of fuel prices including diesel and gasoline.

Biodiesel

Originally, the diesel engine was designed to run on vegetable seed oil or peanut oil. But since petroleum fuel was cheaper then, people have forgotten that diesel engine can run on these natural oils. Now, it is making a comeback. Biodiesel, as we know it today, can be soybean oil, animal fats, vegetable oil or recycled restaurant grease. The good thing is, any diesel engine can run effectively on B20 (a mixture of 20 parts biodiesel and 80 parts petroleum diesel). These natural oils are clean and biodegradable. Biodiesel has lower carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and particulates emissions. LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) LPG is a byproduct of petroleum refining, which are widely used for home heating and cooking, can be a substitute to diesel fuel. LPG is cheaper than all petroleum products. It contains hydrocarbons and vapor at its normal pressure and temperature. Its main component is propane. LPG is widely available and can be used as an alternative fuel with a conversion kit.

Ethanol (E85)

Ethanol is made from fermented biomass, usually corn. Completely biodegradable and renewable, ethanol is clean and doesn’t contribute to greenhouse gas emission. It got the name, E85 because it is composed of 85% alcohol and 15% gasoline. Although it is becoming widely available today and can be used on any diesel engine vehicle, E85 is pricier than other types of alternative fuel.

Methanol

Methanol is naturally abundant on earth or can be made by fermenting biomass. It is somewhat similar to ethanol. However, the availability of methanol is still a problem.

Electricity

The two main issues of electric cars are: it cannot cope with the current traffic and battery life. But with the release of the first sports car that runs on pure electricity – Tesla – these 2 issues are put to rest. However, the technology has yet to completely take off. There may be developments here and there but aside from Tesla, there are very few (plug-in) electric cars on the market today. Aside from this, electric cars are very expensive. The next best option, then, is to go hybrid. Hybrid cars have electric motor and diesel or gasoline engine (there are other types of hybrid cars). Although they are more expensive than regular cars with diesel or gasoline engine, they have the best fuel mileage the market can readily offer.

Hydrogen

The most abundant element on earth is hydrogen so it is only fitting to use it as a form of energy. But you cannot get hydrogen for free; it can be made by electrically splitting (electrolyze) water to its basic components – hydrogen and oxygen. In a sense, a hydrogen-powered car runs on water. Unfortunately, the market has yet to see mass-produced hydrogen cars. You may have noticed that almost all alternative fuels have a problem of their own. But with the undergoing development and constant research, it won’t be long before we see our vehicles running effectively from any of these alternative fuels.

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Question by SharpDr08: Alternative Fuel?

What is your view on alternative fuel energy? producing synthetic fuels from renewable feedstocks such as animal fat and grease, is this for real or is this just bs? thanks for your input

Best answer:

Answer by sahel578
I dont care if my car runs on old water bottles (in fact, I wish it did). We need alternatives, I am open to all attempts.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

EZGasSavers.com

Video Rating: 5 / 5

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#3 Vertigro – Gas, Diesel, Biofuel production from algae

October 14, 2010 By


Grow mass amounts of algae and produce 20000+ gallons of bio-fuel on one acre. With the amount of farm space of 1/10 the size of New Mexico we could produce enough fuel to fill the United States’ need for oil.

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#2 Vertigro – Gas, Diesel, Biofuel production from algae

October 7, 2010 By


Grow mass amounts of algae and produce 20000+ gallons of bio-fuel on one acre. With the amount of farm space of 1/10 the size of New Mexico we could produce enough fuel to fill the United States’ need for oil. (more)

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Diesel aus Müll Alphakat AG Doku Deutschland 2007 Finanzkrise Biodiesel Biosprit

October 4, 2010 By


Diesel aus Müll Alphakat AG Doku Deutschland 2007 Finanzkrise Biodiesel Biosprit

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Diesel enthusiasts use restaurant grease as fuel

September 9, 2010 By


As climbing petroleum prices squeeze household and business budgets across the nation, the demand for alternative fuels also climbs. For most people, technology leaves few options: Drive less or pay more. Some create their own alternative — biodiesel. Made from fats, biodiesel is efficient, safe and environmentally friendly. Lawrence, Kansas residents use old restaurant grease to fuel their vehicles…and the cause.

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