What is the chemistry of biodiesel?
Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification whereby the glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil. The process leaves behind two products – methyl esters and glycerin. Methyl esters is the chemical name for biodiesel and glycerin is used in a variety of products, including soap.
What are the properties of biodiesel?
It is slightly miscible with water, has a high boiling point and low vapor pressure. The flash point of biodiesel exceeds 130 °C (266 °F), significantly higher than that of petroleum diesel which may be as low as 52 °C (126 °F). Biodiesel has a density of ~0.88 g/cm³, higher than petrodiesel (~0.85 g/cm³).
What are some fun facts about biofuels?
Biofuels can power cars and other vehicles. Biodiesel is not toxic or flammable and is biodegradable. Biodiesel has the highest energy balance of any fuel. 3.2 units of energy are gained for every one unit of fossil energy needed to produce biodiesel.
How are biofuels chemistry related?
Biofuels contain oxygen. Because of the oxygen, biofuels can contain alcohols, esters, ethers, and acid groups. Each of these groups is a whole subset of organic chemistry and each has special reaction characteristics. Alcohols are really nothing like ester, which are not like acids at all.
What are biofuels made from?
Biofuels are transportation fuels such as ethanol and biomass-based diesel fuel that are made from biomass materials. These fuels are usually blended with petroleum fuels (gasoline and distillate/diesel fuel and heating oil), but they can also be used on their own.
Where Is biodiesel used?
Biodiesel is mostly used as an additive to petroleum diesel Petroleum diesel fuel tanks and equipment can also store and transport biodiesel. Learn more about use of biodiesel made from different feedstocks. Biodiesel blends may also be used as heating oil.
How many types of biodiesel are there?
Biodiesel can be blended and used in many different concentrations. The most common are B5 (up to 5% biodiesel) and B20 (6% to 20% biodiesel). B100 (pure biodiesel) is typically used as a blendstock to produce lower blends and is rarely used as a transportation fuel.
What is the fire point of biodiesel?
Biodiesel from microalgae Biodiesel has a higher flash point than conventional diesel. Also, the flash point specification from biodiesel is higher than that for diesel standards (Table 10.3). The flash point average for biodiesel is 150°C whereas diesel fuel ranges from 55°C to 66°C (Table 10.4).
Did you know facts about biofuels?
Energy Content of Biofuels
- The energy content of biodiesel is about 90% that of petroleum diesel.
- The energy content of ethanol is about 50% that of gasoline.
- The energy content of butanol is about 80% that of gasoline.
- Most biofuels are at least as energy dense as coal, but produce less carbon dioxide when burned.
What are the benefits of biodiesel?
Advantages of Biodiesel
- Produced From Renewable Resources.
- Can be Used in Existing Diesel Engines.
- Less Greenhouse Gas Emissions (e.g., B20 reduces CO2 by 15%)
- Grown, Produced and Distributed Locally.
- Cleaner Biofuel Refineries.
- Biodegradable and Non-Toxic.
- Better Fuel Economy.
- Positive Economic Impact.
How do biofuels burn?
The answer has to do with oxygen (molecular oxygen). Combustion requires oxygen and only gasoline or alcohol exposed to oxygen can burn. In the liquid form, both substances are packed tight enough to prevent too much oxygen from entering the liquid.
What’s the difference between Diesel and biodiesel?
The major different between these two fuel sources is that diesel comes petroleum, a non-renewable fossil fuel byproducts, whereas biodiesel is extracted from plant, seed, and animal oils. Diesel and biodiesel also vary in availability; while diesel is usually a standard product…
What do you need to know about renewable diesel?
Everything You Need to Know About Renewable Diesel Renewable Diesel 101. Renewable diesel is a next-generation synthetic diesel fuel. Benefits of Renewable Diesel. One thing for fleets to keep in mind, however, is that this is not biodiesel, it is a premium fuel that does come with a premium Availability & Future Growth.
Is diesel a renewable resource?
“Renewable diesel is generally a hydrocarbon and is indistinguishable from the petroleum it is replacing. So, it is basically diesel fuel from a renewable resource,” explained Michael Lokey, executive officer for Sunshine Biofuels .
What is the chemical composition of diesel fuel?
Diesel is composed of about 75% saturated hydrocarbons (primarily paraffins including n, iso, and cycloparaffins), and 25% aromatic hydrocarbons (including naphthalenes and alkylbenzenes). The average chemical formula for common diesel fuel is C12H23, ranging from approx. C10H20 to C15H28.