Biodiesel

Biodiesel - A Significant Energy Resource

There is a growing global demand for raw materials such as crude oil, and yet there is increased concern about the impact the products from those materials have on the environment. Today, countries worldwide are actively pursuing the development of programs to promote the production and use of biodiesel, a renewable fuel for diesel engines derived from a variety of plant oils and/or animal fats, or recycled cooking oils.

Terms like "carbon footprint" and "energy efficiency" have become commonplace. That is why fuel additives over the next decade will be critically important. It will be additives that will enable engine manufacturers to achieve the level of performance demanded by their customers. It will be additives that enable vehicles with "flex fuel" engines to run well on either gasoline or "bio-based products" like ethanol to meet fuel economy requirements. It will be additives that enable modern engines, even those using biodiesel, to run cleaner so they can pass tighter emissions standards.

Biodiesel is a significant energy resource that may provide part of the solution for complying with worldwide federal mandates to prevent and reduce pollution, diversify fuel sources and increase energy efficiency and sustainability. The reasons for such global interest and importance include:

• Political and Economic Benefits - Biodiesel promotes a nation's energy security by making the nation more self reliant and helping expand indigenous supplies of fossil fuels. An additional motivation for the focus on biodiesel is the need to conserve the world's existing conventional fuel supply.
• Emissions and Environmental Benefits- Biodiesel reduces global warming gas emissions such as carbon dioxide (CO2) due to its closed carbon cycle.
• Agricultural Benefits - Biodiesel's primary feed stocks are soybean oil in the U.S. and Brazil, grapeseed oil in Europe, and palm oil in Asia. With this important new end-use for these and other crops (such as jatropha, corn, cottonseed, etc.) there is enormous potential to stimulate global agricultural economies. Biodiesel is created from these types of renewable resources that continue to be cultivated season after season.
• Health Benefits - Scientific research has shown that compared to petroleum diesel exhaust, biodiesel emissions have lower levels of harmful polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitrated PAH compounds. These compounds have been identified as potential carcinogens that can adversely affect reproductive, developmental, immunological and endocrine systems in both humans and wildlife.
• Fuel System Lubricity Benefits - As an ester, Biodiesel possesses favorable lubricity properties, which is important since all diesel fuel injection equipment relies somewhat on fuel as a lubricant, especially rotary and distributor type fuel injection pumps.

"We know that flex fuel engines are going to require a chemical fix to alleviate deposits, so it's an exciting time in the fuel additive industry." said Nick Pagano, Product Line Manager for Fuels in the Americas Region.

High-tech engine designs, a new mix of fuels, more stringent emissions regulations, the need for better fuel economy, the desire for more energy independence, and a smaller carbon footprint combine to influence the future market for fuel additives. We have products today that meet many of the performance requirements we see coming in the future. Oronite has been at this for a long time and has a rich history of innovation and technology leadership.

For more information please contact your local Oronite Representative.

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