Lizzy Butler ~ Stephanie Correa ~ Zinani Harriott ~ Nick Mockabee

What is Biodiesel? Scientifically: mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats which conform to ASTM D6751 specifications for use in diesel engines. Biodiesel refers to the pure fuel before blending with diesel fuel. –A biofuel produced from any fat or oil through a refinery process called Transesterification

Transesterification Source: &

Fatty Acid Weight Percent Mol. Wt. Formula Palmitic C 15 H 31 CO 2 CH 3 Stearic C 17 H 35 CO 2 CH 3 Oleic C 17 H 33 CO 2 CH 3 Linoleic CH 3 (CH 2 ) 4 CH=CHCH 2 CH=CH(CH 2 ) 7 CO 2 CH 3 Linolenic CH 3 (CH 2 CH=CH) 3 (CH 2 ) 7 CO 2 CH 3 Typical Soybean Oil Methyl Ester Profile  The average molecular weight of soybean oil methyl esters is g Source:

Biodiesel is… BiodegradableBiodegradable NontoxicNontoxic Environmentally friendly (renewable)Environmentally friendly (renewable) Domestically ProducedDomestically Produced

Registered by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) –Meets the standards of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments Resources originate in United States –Less dependent on volatile politics of other countries supplying petroleum resources Has a positive energy balance –Started at 3.2 in 1998, grew to 4.56 with better farming, planned for 5.44 by

Biodiesel has added $4.287 billion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Biodiesel has the potential to support more than 78,000 jobs by Will reduce demand for imported oil from politically unstable regions.

Can be mixed with Petroleum based diesel fuel; mixtures named by % of biodiesel B-20 = 20% Biodiesel & B-100 = 100% Biodiesel Can be used in existing diesel engines Safer than other fuels (non-toxic, less explosive, less smell) Operates in any kind of basic engine Provides lubrication benefits Reduction in harmful emissions

Biodiesel Mixtures

Production Path

 Less energy released per unit  Prone to microbial development  Issues in storage and management of fuel  More expensive than normal diesel fuel currently

FuelDensity, g/cm3 Net Heating Value Avg., Btu/gal. % Difference vs. No. 2 Diesel Avg. No. 2 Diesel ,500 Biodiesel (B100) , % B20 Blend (B20) , % B2 Blend (B2) , % Average Density and Heating Value of Biodiesel and Diesel Fuel Source:

Cost of Biodiesel Production

How is the USA currently using biodiesel? Largest biodiesel market: fleet vehicles (100) Also, public transportation services – e.g. South Orange Village Shuttles 100% Biodiesel

Future Goals Increase availability and use of biodiesel in all vehicles. Offer incentives to vehicle manufacturers to support higher blends (almost all current support B5). Increase availability and use of biodiesel in all vehicles. Offer incentives to vehicle manufacturers to support higher blends (almost all current support B5). Provide incentives for fleets to convert to Biodiesel and/or Biodiesel Blends. Provide incentives for fleets to convert to Biodiesel and/or Biodiesel Blends. Work with soybean industry to increase yield of soybean crops. Work with soybean industry to increase yield of soybean crops.