Thursday, April 16, 2009

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.

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