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The adoption of biodiesel and its integration within our society face a number of complex, interdependent or exclusive challenges. While there is, as yet, only a limited amount of comprehensively researched data available, many factors are changing in favour of biodiesel fuel. Just 10 years ago, widespread adoption of biodiesel as an alternative fuel mode seemed unlikely, but that situation is certainly changing fast.

We are all becoming very aware how traditional fossil fuels have caused damage and become a great concern for the future. Greenhouse gases associated with the production of petroleum and our other energy needs are causing a highly detrimental change to our planet’s average temperature. This type of climate change is leading to results that we can already see and we can be very worried about the problems that could face future generations. We know that we must make changes and reduce our reliance on these traditional forms, yet to this point change has been slow to come. Challenges to the very way that we exist are difficult to contemplate and if we must make changes, we prefer to do it without incurring additional economic costs. It seems clear that to adopt alternative ways of producing and using energy will result in competitive disadvantage, if compared to communities or economies that do not.

Environmentalists assure us that unless we act now, harm will become irreversible. Consequently, governments are starting to consider taxation of carbon itself, forcing organisations through market pressures to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and increase their energy efficiency. This could help to balance the playing field for biodiesel fuel. When traditional fuels become more expensive due to this carbon tax, biodiesel fuel will become more attractive.

Further to that, as society becomes increasingly more worried about climate change, it is likely to turn toward measures and solutions that are seen as being far “greener.” As such, even if biodiesel fuels represent a premium over other fuels and even if they are somewhat more difficult to locate, such a trend may nevertheless push for more adoption. Ways of making biodiesel will be explored and commercial solutions will begin to spring up in more and more places.

Our agricultural producers have been worried about a decline in demand for their goods in recent years. As homemade biodiesel relies on vegetable oils or surplus oils and animal fats, crop producers could find a ready market for soybeans, for example providing the raw material essential for the production of the fuel. This in turn would help to keep revenues from the production and sale of fuel within our communities, rather than distributing these revenues overseas. It is sobering to realise that by the 2020s, two thirds of fuel purchased revenues could be lost to foreign countries.

As we enter the new decade, it seems that more and more people and organisations are going to focus on the need to be sustainable. The biodiesel industry should ensure that it’s front and centre to this argument. With so much at stake, not only with respect to the long term financial stability of our country, but also the priceless global sustainability which could be achieved, can any of us really afford to continue to wait until someone in power makes a decision?

Few industries have suffered so badly from a veritable sea of external forces as the automotive industry in the last 10 years or so. Certain sectors of the industry had been slow to catch up with trends through the 80s and 90s, and had become too reliant on multiple vehicle ranges and inefficient practices. The industry has been hammered by increased foreign competition, burgeoning fuel prices, regulations, environmental issues and the great recession.

In 1990, the revision to the Clean Air Act specified that fuels become more sustainable and that manufacturers begin replacing petro diesel engines with low sulphur alternatives. At that time, certain states had already restricted diesel engine sales, but this situation is likely to rectify as diesel pollution now slows. However, other factors were also at work and the terrorist attacks of 2001 only served to remind us how we relied on far-off foreign countries for our fuel needs. We must look for alternative fuel sources to satisfy our economic, environmental and energy security requirements.

In modern times, diesel engines and their internal components are much more able to cope with low sulphur diesel and biodiesel fuels. Nowadays, biodiesel fuel is gaining widespread acceptance and during the last decade production grew by over 700%.

Following this recession, the auto industry in the US has significantly changed. One of their big three manufacturers is now owned by a European company, Fiat, and it seems likely that we will see an influx of vehicles based on European platforms and wholly more efficient than what we have seen there previously. Diesel engine cars are very much in evidence in European countries and there is no reason to assume that we will not see a pick-up in sales there as well. This would lead to biodiesel becoming more and more important. Biodiesel may compare to conventional diesel, price wise, but the former represents a better option for the health of both our people and the planet.

Biodiesel is not an experimental fuel as some believe. It is the only fuel fully certified by the EPA and can be traced back to the 1930s. Auto manufacturers welcome the use of biodiesel in their diesel engine vehicles as long as the biodiesel is manufactured to internationally accepted standards, and its use will not void an engine warranty, for example. Conversely, biodiesel use is likely to result in a longer-lasting engine as it has a much higher lubricity when compared to petro diesel.

While distribution stations are few and far between, the fuel is yet to gain widespread acceptance. Entrepreneurs should consider production and think about making biodiesel fuel commercially available for all of us. Those who start off making homemade biodiesel could move up to the production of the fuel in their local regions. It is possible to obtain certification from the EPA once you have mastered the task of producing the fuel reliably, and to progress by selling it to an increasingly interested public. Biodiesel is a superb alternative fuel, and it’s certainly an option which could radically change our impact on the Earth, perhaps more quickly than we might realise.

We know that we are all creatures of habit and if we can opt to take the easy route, we do. It’s not that we don’t care about issues that we’re not sure we can do anything about, or might affect our heirs and generations in future, but we just don’t focus unless the chips are really down. While this can lead to a certain amount of apathy and nothing seems to get done, if we are subject to education that really helps to focus our attention on the facts, then we can be pushed to become proactive and make those all important changes for the future.

What is in it for me to switch over to the use of biodiesel fuel? Today, there are numerous reasons for doing so and over the last few years these answers have gained additional credibility. We know that biodiesel has numerous ecological reasons to support its use, to say nothing of the economic benefits.

Principally, carbon emissions are now known to be very dangerous and unwanted. Today, it is very politically correct to be green. We may see government action to force a reduction in the use of conventional fuels, adding a premium to gasoline, for example. Looking ahead, government regulators have also said that cars must maintain a much higher fuel economy and it looks like greenhouse gas emissions are now going to be adjudged hazardous pollutants. In the light of these points, we should note that biodiesel reduces carbon dioxide emissions associated with traditional fuel options and by a factor of as much as 80%.

Nowadays, homemade biodiesel fuels can use waste products such as leftover cooking oils, helping to cut down on the issues associated with waste disposal. We can help the agricultural communities by noting that biodiesel can be made from vegetable products such as soy. Turning to this fuel for our transportation means could provide a fantastic shot in the arm to these communities and farmers, as the crops could be used to full advantage.

If we could rely on alternative fuel methods such as biodiesel for more and more of our vehicle transportation, we would not lay ourselves open as much to the peaks and troughs associated with oil production, often in far off overseas lands. We now know what regular diesel here in the UK at £5.00 a gallon or $8.00 represents, but five or 10 years ago could not even imagine such a thing. We can do much for our energy security by concentrating on making biodiesel from domestically available sources.

The US automotive industry is changing significantly and we can expect to see an introduction of smaller and more economically viable cars there, similar to those seen in Europe for the last decade. On that continent, more than half of the vehicles actually run on diesel and can readily accept biodiesel fuels. There will undoubtedly be a trend in the United States toward the adoption of these types of vehicles, giving further credibility to the thought of making biodiesel widely available through expanding distribution networks. By 2020, biodiesel fuel will be a staple part of our economy.

Dr. Rudolph Diesel was the inventor of the ubiquitous diesel engine, way back in the 1890s. The doctor developed the project as an answer to the basic steam engines that have been around since the auto was first invented. Steam engines were known to be dangerous and could be very unreliable, not like the diesel engine, which was then popular.

The diesel engine was very different to the petrol engine and the diesel worked on the basis of ignition compression. Air enters into the engine cylinder and is compressed when the piston rises, igniting the mixture and emitting power. The petrol engine on the other hand uses a spark to ignite a fuel/air mix when the air is compressed, and needs a somewhat complex “backup” system of plugs, coils and leads.

While the first public demonstration of what was essentially the early “bio diesel” engine occurred in 1900, it was to be the 1930s before modern biodiesel fuel was developed through the conversion of vegetable oils into fatty acid methyl esters.

When times were plentiful there was not much interest in biodiesel as an alternative fuel. Petro diesel was very cheap and the early versions of vegetable oil based fuels were not suitable for the diesel engines of the time. The vegetable oil in use had a much higher viscosity than petro diesel fuel and this led to experimentation and the development of what we now know as modern biodiesel.

A Belgian inventor came up with a process subsequently termed transesterification in 1937, when he converted vegetable oils as a diesel fuel replacement, but it was to be well into the 1980s before this was perfected due to urgent needs associated with energy security and increased efficiency. At this time the process was perfected, making biodiesel fuel a very real alternative for environmentalists and those concerned about society.

In the 1990s, biodiesel became very acceptable in Europe, much to do with the very high prices of petro diesel. Biodiesel was first produced in 1996 in the United States and since that time has grown to be more widely available and become the subject of much speculation.

We now know how much damage we have caused to our environment through gas emission, industrial and automotive pollution. While this awareness has been slowly emerging, costs associated with energy production have been rising inexorably. Gasoline prices in the US reached all-time highs within the last few years and this has caused consumers to really sit up and take notice of sustainability. Petro diesel costs more than regular gasoline and either method digs into the typical monthly budget cost, so alternatives that are seen to be better for the environment are becoming more popular.

The history of biodiesel seems set for an exciting chapter ahead as we focus more on energy security, environmental issues and balancing our budgets. Nowadays, homemade biodiesel is becoming a stepping stone for many as they seek to attain an element of independence and environmental stewardship. It comes down to the simple equation of whether a sustainable fuel solution can be produced at a lesser cost than the readily available alternative, and in this case, biodiesel is most definitely the answer. It’s a real solution, and a way forward.

There are so many reasons why you should consider biodiesel as part of your life and every reason why you should consider making an effort to learn how to make homemade biodiesel. Make a concerted effort to keep this New Year’s resolution for a change! We cannot forget how gasoline prices ran up to a terrible spike a year or so ago. Let’s try and control our lives so that we don’t remain slaves to external forces, be they individual organisations, governments or foreign countries.

Don’t take a lesson from others around you who seem consumed by their own ideals and take individual action to help protect the world that we live in. It’s possible for every one of us to make a difference and as we know that transportation accounts for a large chunk of carbon emissions, consider fuelling your vehicle with biodiesel or a blend of it.

Making biodiesel is a realistic option. In short, you need to engage a process called transesterification. You need to take vegetable or animal oils and fats, also known as triglycerides and extract the glycerine. By using a catalyst, lye, you would remove fatty acids and be left with biodiesel.

You don’t have to spend a small fortune to set up a system allowing you to make biodiesel. You don’t need to be chemically inclined or to worry about burning the house down as you experiment! It is advised that you start out in a small way and see how you progress. It’s perfectly feasible for you to make biodiesel fuel for your vehicle and those of your family and save good amounts of money from your annual budget.

There are certain basic chemicals required when making biodiesel fuel and these include methanol. You will need virtually pure methanol for this to be effective. Although it is derived from a fossil fuel and thus contributory to global warming problems, it’s used in much lower quantities. In terms of emissions, you will definitely be making a difference versus petroleum or petro diesel. Don’t forget to protect the catalyst from the atmosphere as it can absorb moisture quickly. Pick up caustic soda or potassium hydroxide and don’t breathe any fumes or get the mixture on your skin.

Start your initial experiments by using regular, over-the-counter canola oil or sunflower oil. Add to your list a blender, receptacles, an accurate scale, a certain type of container (#2 designation), a couple of funnels, a large bottle to use for settling, a thermometer and a bottle to be used for washing the mixture.

Now you have everything you need to start and can begin your journey toward efficiency! With so much to gain, not only ecologically, but also financially and politically, what could be the reason – or reasons, why it’s taking such an incredibly long period of time to make this extraordinary change for the better, for all of us, not just now, but for all of the future generations which will follow as well?

Throughout our communities, biodiesel can be very good for us and through education we could all learn to understand this. What are some of the top 10 reasons to think about the use of biodiesel?

1. Emissions.
According to the EPA, biodiesel can have considerable health benefits in comparison to its alternatives. In the case of carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas, biodiesel represents a 78% reduction. We should note that the EPA has very recently confirmed that greenhouse gases are indeed hazardous to us.

2. High BTU.
BTU is a measurement used to rank any energy output (British thermal units) and pure biodiesel has the highest energy balance of any fuel. It is several times more effective than traditional gasoline when we compare the units of fossil fuel energy required to produce an equivalent amount.

3. Think about safety.
As biodiesel has a very high combustion point, it is far safer than traditional fuels. In its purest form it is biodegradable and is almost completely non-toxic.

4. Be less wasteful.
If you use waste oil, such as cooking oil received from restaurants, then the resulting biodiesel will truly have turned a waste product into usable energy. How often do we see waste oil being transferred to our waterways and systems, rather than being disposed of properly, thereby wasting a huge financial resource?

5. No modification required.
With no modification, biodiesel mixes with petro diesel. It can be used in any strength or in place of regular diesel. As such it is an option available right now to make your diesel engine vehicles more sustainable.

6. Longer lasting.
By using biodiesel in your vehicle you can enjoy additional lubricity, which in turn will promote a long life for your engine.

7. Helps support energy security.
Soy is one of the more widely available and domestically grown products in the USA. By keeping costs within the countries where biodiesel is produced, we help to secure our economies from the crazy spikes we have seen plaguing traditional energy availability.

8. Could provide replacement jobs.
We have lost so many important jobs to the brutal downturn in the economy. Biodiesel fuel production could help to concentrate money for new jobs related to this industry, rather than sending revenues for our current petroleum needs out of the country and helping to create jobs overseas.

9. Regions benefit.
Regional production of biodiesel can help repair local economies that have been severely damaged during the downturn. Crop producers and farmers can see a new style of return for their work, can feel some element of stability for the future and look for solid growth ahead.

10. Be healthy.
When biodiesel fuel is adopted on a widespread basis, we would register less greenhouse gas, thereby helping to reverse climate damage as well as seeing fewer carcinogens and other components known to cause cancer and other illnesses.

We have just seen a considerable number of reasons to justify thinking about making biodiesel for our transportation wants and needs. Create your own trend by mixing a few gallons of homemade biodiesel. Your actions may well catch on, but remember, before you begin, always follow the “essential safety advice” from the experts!

Q. Will Biodiesel harm my engine?
A. Biodiesel will work in a conventional petro diesel engine with no problems at all. Multiple agencies have tested this combination over millions of miles and in every circumstance. Bus fleets and commercial haulage companies have been using biodiesel in their operations for many years and reporting great success.

Q. Is Biodiesel experimental?
A. No, it has been in widespread use since the 1980s and has become more accepted in the United States over the last 10 years. In fact, biodiesel goes back to the 1930s when vegetable oil was first converted into fuel, being perfected during the 1980s.

Q. Is this alternative fuel accepted by the government?
A. The Clean Air Act, subject to the 1990 modification, recognises biodiesel as the only certified alternative fuel. The EPA recognises and authenticates the use of certified biodiesel fuel.

Q. Where can I find biodiesel?
A. You can find more than 14 major production facilities across the country in the US with many distribution channels. In addition, many hundreds of smaller operations exist in localities around the nation. As the number of diesel engine cars increases, additional manufacture plants and distribution points will emerge.

Q. What about using conventional vegetable oil?
A. Absolutely not, vegetable oil must be converted through transesterification into biodiesel fuel first. This involves the use of alcohol, and a catalyst to extract the final liquid.

Q. What about the cold weather?
A. Biodiesel does have a tendency to gel in very cold conditions, just as conventional petro diesel. You should take the same precautions as you would when using regular diesel in such conditions.

Q. Is this fuel good for the environment?
A. Biodiesel is carbon neutral, which means it is not contributory to the carbon emissions problem currently plaguing our planet. As biodiesel is fundamentally extracted from vegetable crops which were previously carbon “sinks,” the fuel is far better for the environment than conventional petroleum, which is extremely high in toxic greenhouse gas emissions.

Q. What about clogged filters?
A. As biodiesel is a solvent, it may act to dissolve some deposits which may have accumulated over time in your tank or within pipes. As these deposits could clog in filters, you should clean or change the filters after you first use biodiesel fuel, making way for a cleaner running, longer lasting engine.

Q. Can I make biodiesel at home?
A.There are many people successful at making homemade biodiesel. As long as you follow the essential safety advice and use common sense, making biodiesel is not particularly difficult. This can be a great way of making a difference, environmentally!

Q. Do we need to worry about over-harvesting if biodiesel becomes popular?
A. We need to ensure that biodiesel growth is itself sustainable and ensure that we do not over-harvest and cause an imbalance in agricultural crop availability, especially as we need these absorbers of carbon in place. This would be a challenge as things unfold.

In all likelihood, making biodiesel may not have entered your mind before. Maybe you will have seen one of those soy powered buses around the place, peaking your interest, or you might just be fed up with those horrible prices at the petrol station. Have you calculated the size of your carbon footprint yet? Each one of us is pausing to consider how we contribute in one way or the other to the threat of global warming and as we get increasingly more frustrated at the site of politicians bickering and taking no action, we must step in.

If you think that it is impossible to make biodiesel fuel safely, effectively and relatively cheaply, you are wrong. Thousands of people can testify to the fuel’s efficiency as they use it during their daily lives. So long as you have a modicum of common sense and take some time to understand the process, you will be able to proceed perfectly well. You do not need a degree in chemistry and will be able to find the ingredients required rather easily.

It’s absolutely crucial to keep in mind that you need to beware of applying any overly simplistic advice or a simply written ‘how to,’ such as the example below, and before ever attempting to produce biodiesel, you must be in possession of highly detailed information on the steps involved along with thorough, in-depth safety advice and guidelines:

Making homemade biodiesel involves a process known as transesterification. You will be using a catalyst (lye) to remove glycerine from vegetable or animal oils or fats and you will effectively be extracting the oil that you can use in your diesel engine.

The catalyst you need is basically potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda and you also need methanol. The lye and the methanol must be kept protected from the environment as they absorb moisture and you must use pure products.

Measure out 200 mL of methanol into a sturdy plastic container and then add the lye, or caustic soda. All containers, including the plastic bottle should be tightly closed. Ensure that everything is dissolved by shaking the container vigorously.

The soy or vegetable oil needs to be heated to 130°F and poured into a blender. Add your mixture, close tightly and blend for about 30 minutes. The resulting mixture should be decanted into a large and strong bottle with a tight lid. You should let this settle for up to 24 hours and will note that the glycerine, a dark colour, settles at the bottom. When this is the case, extract the biodiesel, essentially the top layer into a clean jar, being careful not to get any of the glycerine layer mixed in.

Your results will need to be washed to get rid of imperfections and you basically need to add clean water to the mixture, leave to settle for three hours or more and then allow the water to drain off, ideally through a hole you have previously prepared in the bottom of your mixture container.

You may have to repeat the process, but when the product is clear, the water will have evaporated and you will have made your first batch of biodiesel fuel! Before you get started on your new road to discovery, get your hands on some expert safety advice – which is essential, on how to make biodiesel to an internationally accepted standard, while being safe doing it!