Biodiesel on a smaller level

Can you imagine filling up your car with fuel made from soy beans and corn oil? What about getting a car to start on a cold day by pouring hot coffee into it? Well, many people are using an alternative fuel made from vegetables.

What makes this possible? Biodiesel. Where does it come from? The biosphere, according to David Williamson, manager of the Ecology Center in Berkeley, California. During photosynthesis, plants consume the carbon dioxide already existing in our atmosphere as they release oxygen and produce oils stored in their seeds, he said.

Does biodiesel really work? Yes. In fact, all 180 vehicles belonging to the city of Berkeley run on one hundred percent biodiesel, including the Ecology Center’s fleet of recycling trucks.

In 2004, about 30 million gallons of biodiesel were sold according to Jenna Higgins, spokesperson for the National Biodiesel Board. That number is up from 500,000 gallons sold in 1999. Higgins says the reason for the tremendous growth is the reduced emissions produced by the alternative fuel and the fact that little or no modifications need to be made to a diesel vehicle in order to use it.

Biodiesel can be used as a fuel all by itself (B100—meaning 100% biodiesel) or in a blend (B2, B20, B80—it can be blended it any amount).

Using biodiesel does reduce greenhouse gasses according to a report by the U.S. Department of Energy in 2001. It says that biodiesel produces 78% less carbon dioxide than diesel fuel, and lists biodiesel’s impact on other emissions as well.

David Williamson, manager of the Ecology Center in Berkeley, says using B100 in their trucks has gone quite well since they learned what the likely problems are. The most common cause of “biodiesel tragedies” according to Williamson is mold and bacteria in the fuel tank. He said they prevent that now by putting a biocide in the fuel tank.

Williamson said other problems to look out for include leaks and problems with the electrical system and lift pump. Biodiesel also tends to gel w

hen it’s cold, according to Williamson. He said you can use a four point suppressant to prevent this. He added that pouring hot coffee into the fuel tank also works.

Higgins painted a rosier picture of using biodiesel, but was generally speaking of using a B20 blend. She admitted that using B100 would amplify biodiesel problems. You can use B20 in the cold as long as you buy it from a reputable dealer, according to Higgins.

Higgins also said that B20 is used in even the coldest climates, and cited Glacier National Park in Montana as an example.

Another option is to make your own biodiesel. The Berkeley Ecology Center offers classes on how to make biodiesel for small scale and individual use.

For more information, visit www.biodiesel.org, www.wnbiodiesel.com or www.ecologycenter.org.