Algae As A Biodiesel Feedstock

Definition:
Biodiesel is a clean burning fuel, produced from renewable resources. It contains no petroleum, but can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. Biodiesel is biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.

Feedstock:
Biodiesel can be produced from any triglyceride. In the United States the predominant feedstock used is soybean oil. Other vegetable oils, such as corn, cottonseed, canola (rape seed), flax, sunflower and peanut, are used.

Animal-derived products such as tallow, choice white grease (lard), poultry fat and yellow grease are also triglycerides and are used as a biodiesel feedstock. There is also some indication that these sources, which are high in saturated fats, produce less nitrous oxides compared to plant oils. However, this research is ongoing.

The third main source of triglycerides is recycled oil and grease, usually from restaurants and food processing plants. The use of used cooking oil is an environmentally friendly process since it solves a waste disposal problem.

List of Common Feedstocks:

• Algae
• Soybean
• Corn
• Cottonseed
• Canola (Rape Seed)
• Flax
• Sunflower
• Peanut
• Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO)
• Tallow
• Lard
• Poultry Fat

Production:
Anyone can make Biodiesel. It is produced in small or large batches by commercial entities and individuals. It is easy to make and can be done in as simple an environment as your kitchen or garage.

Usage:
Biodiesel fuel can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications.

• Automobiles
• Trucks
• Buses
• Generators
• Construction Equipment
• Home Heating Units
• Power Plants
• Most machines running off a diesel engine

Benefits:

1. Biodiesel can be made domestically, thus reducing dependence on foreign resources. Energy independance
2. Biodiesel keeps our fuel buying dollars local, instead of sending it to foreign countries. A great boost to the economy.
3. Renewable & non-toxic. Eventually the world will run out of petrolium based oil. Biodiesel is 100% renewable. For example: If biodiesel gets into your water supply, no problem - it’s just modified plant or animal oil! You can still drink it(yuck), but it doesn’t taste very good.
4. Cleaner emissions. Biodiesel is practically carbon-neutral. This means that it contributes almost zero emissions to global warming!
5. Extend your engine life. Studies have shown biodiesel reduces engine wear by as much as one half, primarily because biodiesel provides excellent lubricity.
6. Drivability. You will notice an immediate smoothing of your engine with biodiesel. It runs quieter, and produces less exaust.

For more information visit one of these informative Web sites

• National Biodiesel Board - The official site of the National Biodiesel Board.
• Biodiesel Now - A great resource for biodiesel news and information.