Biodiesel energy production

The production of biodiesel energy has increased manifold in the last decade. The main reason for this is that bio diesel used for generating biodiesel energy is a clean, reliable and environment friendly source of energy production.

The biodiesel used for biodiesel energy generation is basically made from vegetable oil. There are different types of oils available for the production of bio diesel. These are Soya bean and rapeseed oil which account for almost ninety percent of the biodiesel production, Waste vegetable oil, Animal fats like lard, yellow grease, Algae which can be grown using waste products like sewage, Oil from halophytes and Waste fish oil.

Biodiesel can be produced by transesterification of vegetable oils or animal fats. The process of transesterification can be carried out by several methods like batch processes, supercritical processes, ultrasonic methods and microwave methods. The process of transesterification is a cost effective method of producing bio diesel. One of the by products of this process is glycerol. The biodiesel obtained from such a process has combustion properties. The process has the advantage of being a clean and non polluting method of bio diesel production.

The increased production of bio diesel has led to the decrease in the cost of biodiesel energy and therefore, this form of energy can be used to meet the ever increasing energy demands.

With more biodiesel production across the world, the amount of energy used has also increased and this energy is used to meet the growing energy needs.

Bio diesel energy as an alternate energy source

Biodiesel energy is the energy provided by biodiesel. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that can be obtained from biological sources. Biodiesel is manufactured from waste vegetable oil or animal fats. It can also be manufactured from oil of palm, rapeseed and from algae as well. Once the vegetable oil goes through the process of transesterification, the fuel so formed possesses energy called bio diesel energy which can be put to a variety of uses. The most important use of bio diesel energy is that it powers diesel vehicles.

The question that arises is whether biodiesel energy can be used as an alternative source of energy? The answer is yes. Most energy needs are taken care of by fossil fuels. But the use of fossil fuels poses a few problems. The use of fossil fuels causes pollution, increases the global warming and above all this resource is a finite one. This means that the reserves of fossil fuels will finish one day. In such a situation, biodiesel energy presents itself as an alternate source of energy that can completely fulfil the growing energy demands.

The reasons why biodiesel energy can be used as an alternate source of energy are that It is environment friendly and does not cause pollution, it does not emit toxic gases when it burns, it is renewable source of energy that can be reused and it is biodegradable and easy to handle and store.

These reasons make biodiesel energy a viable source of alternative energy.

Bio diesel and water

Biodiesel is a non petroleum based fuel that is used to generate biodiesel energy. Biodiesel is immiscible in water and this property helps in production of biodiesel energy easily. But biodiesel is hygroscopic which means that it can absorb atmospheric moisture. This moisture is present in a small quantity but may create several problems for use of biodiesel energy.

Several problems are encountered in the use of biodiesel energy when bio diesel contains water. Water reduces the combustion of fuel. This results in more smoke and less power generation from biodiesel energy. When bio diesel energy is used to run diesel engine vehicles, the use of bio diesel containing water can corrode fuel pumps, fuel lines, injectors etc.

The fuel pump system may fail because water in biodiesel causes the paper element filters to rot. Water freezes at zero degrees to form crystals that increase the gelling of bio diesel. The fuel system of a diesel vehicle powered by biodiesel energy can get plugged if the bio diesel has water content in it. The pistons of diesel engines can be damaged.

To overcome the problems caused by water content in biodiesel, this form of energy can be developed by mixing products like petroleum, gas and kerosene.

Biodiesel energy produced from biodiesel can be put to use in various applications provided the water content is very less or negligible. This energy can work as the most efficient and reliable form of renewable energy available.

Importance of biodiesel energy

Biodiesel energy is the energy possessed by biodiesel which is a non petroleum based fuel that can be used as an alternative source of energy. Bio diesel energy is one of the most valuable sources of energy that has a lot of importance.

The oil prices are rising in the world and the dependence on fuels is ever increasing for meeting the energy demands. The importance of biodiesel energy is that it reduces the dependence on oils and makes the nations of the world energy independent.

Biodiesel energy helps in the development of economies. It helps to reduce the trade deficits. This is because nations would not need to import oil but can utilize the biodiesel energy generated within the nations and help to save foreign exchange and expenditures.

Biodiesel energy helps in economic growth. The production of more crops will result in the setting up of new industries, generate new jobs and create more markets and thereby help economies to grow and develop.

Biodiesel energy results in a cleaner air as the use of biodiesel energy does not emit harmful particles, and toxic chemicals into the atmosphere. An important aspect of biodiesel energy is that it does not cause any respiratory and heart diseases.

The burning of fossil fuels is adding huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and causing global warming. The importance of biodiesel energy lies in the fact that it does not contribute to global warming in any way.

Biodiesel energy is an affordable and reliable energy source.

Biodiesel emissions

Biodiesel energy can be generated from biodiesel. Biodiesel is a bio fuel that can be manufactured from vegetable oil or animal fats. The biodiesel used in bio diesel energy may or may not emit particulates into the atmosphere.

A few biodiesel emissions when using biodiesel energy are explained below.

Biodiesel emits small amounts of hydrocarbons that cause smog. However, the smog formation is too less to be noticed. The use of biodiesel energy does not emit sulfur oxides and sulfates at all that are the main cause of acid rain. The emission of pollutants is reduced by bio diesel. Biodiesel results in substantial reductions in the emissions of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and other particulate matter. The use of biodiesel energy products emits very small amounts of carbon monoxide that do not harm the environment and also do not cause any health hazards. Particulate matter that can cause breathing problems is emitted in a very less quantity by biodiesel. The emission of nitrogen oxides when using bio diesel increases or decreases depending upon the type of engine and testing procedures that are used. The nitrogen oxide emissions are increased on an average by ten percent if pure bio diesel is used for generating biodiesel energy. Very less quantities of cancer causing compounds like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are emitted by bio diesel.

Biodiesel energy can be efficiently, cost effectively and safely used as an alternative energy source.