BioDiesel is a Biofuel produced from crude vegetable oils by a refining process. It is renewable, less toxic and, importantly, more ‘carbon friendly’ than mineral diesel.

BioDiesel is seen as a having a key role in making an impact on reducing the world’s dependence on the mineral, or "fossil", fuels that contribute to Global Warming and Climate Change.

BioDiesel, over its production cycle, is estimated to produce up to 75% less net CO2 (the greenhouse gas increasing due to human activity) than mineral diesel (which is refined from Crude Oil). This is because the crops from which BioDiesel is produced capture carbon from the atmosphere as they grow. Conversely, on combustion, mineral diesel adds all of its CO2 into the modern atmosphere, as this carbon was locked up deep within the Earth’s crust many millions of years ago, long before Man appeared on Earth.

BioDiesel is also extremely clean in other aspects. Mineral diesel produces harmful and carcinogenic pollutants that cause smog, acid rain and adverse health effects. BioDiesel produces significantly lower levels of these harmful emissions, something that is particularly important in urban environments.

In fact, BioDiesel has been described as ‘Less toxic than salt, more biodegradable than sugar’.

Rather than being used in its pure (B100) form, BioDiesel is typically blended with mineral diesel for consumer use. These blends can be used in vehicles with no, or very minimal modifications, to engines. Most modern engines can accept biodiesel blends with mineral diesel of up to 20% (B20) without modification.

BioDiesel has excellent lubrication and oxygenation properties. It enables diesel engines to burn more efficiently and cleanly and is sought after by refiners and blenders as an alternative to inorganic chemicals that otherwise have to be added to pure mineral diesel.

Biodiesel is in increasing demand in response to environmental concerns and legislation designed to encourage the use of Biofuels to mitigate Climate Change.

But not all BioDiesel is the same. Its quality varies according to the refining process and the feedstock used.

About Flex Fuels Quality