You would have to live in a cave to have known of the fuel pricing crisis. The past summer has proven to be an economic disaster for individual consumers and retailers alike. No one wanted to use any more gas than necessary. The result was a dramatic decrease in cash flow to stimulate the economy. But, all doom and gloom aside, It has gotten better with there recent drop in gasoline prices.
Many people think there are better ways to fix this problem of rising gas costs that we have no control over, and can happen at any time. It is called biodiesel and here is how it works.
Bio diesel is not a new word, it has actually been around for quite some time. When Rudolf Diesel introduced his revolutionary engine in 1900, he made it clear that his product ran off of peanut oil.
The idea was that the farmers who would be using his engine for chores and farm work would be able to grow their own fuel. As a matter of fact, that is exactly how it went until the 1920’s when the gasoline refineries came out with diesel fuel as we know it today.
Now that we have established that the idea of using vegetable oil as a fuel for engines isn’t new, here are a few of the benefits involved. Widespread use of vegetable oil as fuel could relieve some serious problems. The U.S. wouldn't have to be dependent on foreign oil or negotiate with dictators. Environmental concerns regarding emissions and the rate of natural resources being used would no longer weigh on conversationalists’ minds.
Since biodiesel is made from renewable sources like corn and soybean oils (which is then put through a chemical process called transesterification whereby the glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil *NBB.org), American farmers would have a viable, profitable crop to grow.
Today people are also calling running a vehicle on straight vegetable oil as "Using Bio diesel" which is not the correct term theses days even through the two types of fuels have become synonymous with each other. The Main difference is "Bio Diesel is a chemically processed fuel, and cooking or or vegetable oil is off the shelf filtered or unfiltered oil.
When properly converted to run on regular cooking oil a diesel engine will run with the same power and speed that it did before on traditional diesel fuel when using a conversation kit to heat up the vegetable oil for use in your diesel vehicle. Its exhaust may smell a little like onion rings, but it’s a small price to pay. Other concerns are that deposits may form due to the vegetable oil not being filered and processed.
As you may have gathered the only vehicles that can currently be converted to use vegetable oils in them are cars that already have a diesel engine. Conversion kits can be purchased at several reputable dealers to convert straight vegetable oil to combustible fuel for your diesel which will heat up the oil to make it burn easier. These companies can also be useful in helping you find places to purchase fuel for your new system. Bio diesel conversion kits are priced from $650 to $1500. Just be sure to have the car checked over thoroughly before installing.
Converting a diesel engine to bio diesel or veritable oil may not be the choice for everyone. However there are some factors that should be thought about if you have the slightest interest in this option. No longer being dependent on foreign oil is one. The long way biodiesel will go in protecting the environment is another. The most important one may be there will be no more paying outrageous amounts for gas. It’s something to think about.
Resources:
NBB.org
Where can I buy Biodiesel?