Biodiesel F.A.Q.

What is biodiesel?
Biodiesel is an EPA-certified alternative fuel that can be produced from any fat source, including vegetable oil, animal fat, and used cooking oil generated by the food service industry. It contains no petroleum, though it can be splash blended with petroleum diesel fuel (petrodiesel), and it can be used in any diesel engine without modifications. It is biodegradable, nontoxic, and nonvolatile.

Can I use biodiesel in my vehicle?
Biodiesel is a direct replacement for petrodiesel (conventional diesel fuel). Only vehicles with Diesel engines can burn biodiesel. If you have a Diesel, you can start using biodiesel today. No modifications are necessary. Gasoline-powered vehicles cannot burn or be modified to burn biodiesel.

Can I mix biodiesel and petrodiesel in my vehicle?
Yes. Biodiesel and petrodiesel are wholly compatible

What is the difference between B100 and B20?
Biodiesel is commonly sold as a blend with petrodiesel. The percentage of biodiesel in the fuel is indicated in its name. For example, B100 is 100% biodiesel and 0% petrodiesel. B20 is 20% biodiesel and 80% petrodiesel. .

Doesn’t it take more energy to make biodiesel than the amount of energy that you get out of it?
No. According to an extensive study conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado, biodiesel made from virgin soybean oil yields 3.2 units of energy for every unit invested in its production. Biodiesel made locally from used cooking oil uses much less energy to produce and therefore yields about 6 units of energy for every unit invested.

How do biodiesel emissions compare with petrodiesel?
Combusted biodiesel has significantly lower carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbon, particulate matter, and hazardous air pollutant emissions than petrodiesel. Exhaust emissions of aromatics and sulfur oxides are essentially eliminated with B100, and biodiesel has significantly lower asthma and cancer-causing emissions than petrodiesel. Furthermore, considering its entire production and use, biodiesel emits 78% less CO2 than petrodiesel, meaning that its contribution to global warming is far less than petrodiesel’s.

How well does biodiesel perform?
Biodiesel has a higher cetane number and greater lubricity than petrodiesel at any blend level. This increased lubricity is especially advantageous in light of the poor lubricating properties of low-sulfur petrodiesel. B20 provides similar torque, horsepower, and miles per gallon to petrodiesel. B100 however has an 8.7% lower BTU content than petrodiesel, and may produce a very slight, negative effect on performance.

Is biodiesel the same as straight vegetable oil? What about ethanol?
No. Biodiesel is produced by removing glycerine from a fat source and must meet strict industry specifications. Straight vegetable oil cannot meet these fuel specifications, is not registered with the EPA, and is not a legal motor fuel. Ethanol is produced by fermenting plant material, and is different from biodiesel both chemically and in its application.

I don’t have a diesel vehicle; what can I do to decrease my environmental impact while driving?
Gasoline-fueled vehicles are not equipped to burn biodiesel. However, some ways that all vehicle owners can decrease their environmental impact when driving include: keeping tires properly inflated and vehicle maintained, decreasing idling time and number of trips, driving smoothly, and carpooling.

If I own a restaurant / diesel fleet and I want to get involved, what should I do?
Southern Green Industries provides grease collection services for food service facilities and fueling services for diesel fleets. Please read the Oil Recycling section, and Contact Us for more information.