BIODIESEL FAQ's

 What is Biodiesel?

Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. Biodiesel (B100) contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in any diesel engines and compression ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulphur and aromatics.

Biodiesel is defined as mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, which conform to BIS 15607 specifications for use in diesel engines. Biodiesel refers to the pure fuel before blending with diesel fuel. Biodiesel blends are denoted as, "BXX" with "XX" representing the percentage of biodiesel contained in the blend (ie: B20 is 20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel).

Is Biodiesel the same thing as raw vegetable oil?

Biodiesel is produced from any fat or oil such as palm oil and its fractions, soybean oil and other vegetable oils through a refinery process called trans-esterification. This process is a reaction of the oil with an alcohol in presence of a catalyst to remove the glycerin, which is a by-product of biodiesel production. Fuel-grade biodiesel B100 must be produced to strict industry specifications (BIS 15607) in order to insure proper performance. 

Is it approved for use in India?

Biodiesel is registered as a fuel approved by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Pure (100 percent) biodiesel has been designated as an alternative fuel and has been approved for sale vide MoPNG notifications. Kindly check with the concerned departments for updated notifications, permission of usage, storage, manufacture and sale of Biodiesel in India.

What makes biodiesel India’s Advanced biofuel?

Pure 100% Biodiesel is a fuel commercially produced that meets the BIS 15607 standards definition of Biodiesel. Biodiesel B100 must meet a life-cycle Green House Gas (GHG) emission-reduction threshold of 50 percent, and must be manufactured from feedstock meeting the definition of renewable biomass. In India, Palm, Palm based based feedstock, Other vegetable oils, Animal Fats and Used Cooking Oils fall under this criteria. 

Is biodiesel used as a pure fuel or is it blended with petroleum diesel?

Biodiesel can be used as a pure fuel or blended with petroleum in any percentage. B20 (a blend of 20 percent by volume with 80 percent by volume of diesel) has demonstrated significant environmental benefits with a minimum increase in cost for fleet operations and other consumers.

Globally a standard B7 can be used in any vehicular engine without modifications or effect to the fuel efficacy for the engine. This has been demonstrated and also been approved under the National Biodiesel blending program.

For stationery engines the blend usage can be increased gradually from initial B20. 

Where can I purchase Biodiesel?

It is suggested to purchase B100 Biodiesel from BMAI registered manufacturer member only. This will ensure that you stay away from spurious fuel dealers and that you will always get a pure unadulterated product. 

Do I need to convert my diesel vehicle to run on Biodiesel?

No, there is no need to convert any diesel-operated engine to use biodiesel for upto certain blend levels. No modifications or alterations are required to utilize biodiesel. The consumer may be needed to change the fuel filters initially. 

Can I switch between biodiesel and normal diesel?

Yes, you can use both the varieties of diesel at any point. Biodiesel (B100) has a solvent effect, which may release deposits accumulated on tank walls and pipes from previous diesel fuel use. With high blends of biodiesel, the release of deposits may clog filters initially and precautions should be taken to replace fuel filters until the petroleum build-up is eliminated. This issue is less prevalent with B20 blends, and there is no evidence that lower-blend levels such as B5 or even B10 have caused such issues.

Does biodiesel affect fuel consumption?

Biodiesel powered engines have been shown to deliver similar torque and horsepower as diesel powered engines. Biodiesel has a higher cetane rating, which can improve starting and reduce smoke emissions.

Is biodiesel bad for engines?

Biodiesel and diesel fuels burn quite similarly in diesel engines. In fact, biodiesel has some specific advantages, such as better lubricity; reduced engine and fuel pump wear and tear and, quite often, a longer engine life.

Will engine warranty coverage be at risk?

We believe that the use of biodiesel in existing diesel engines does not void parts and materials workmanship warranties of any major engine manufacturer. 

How do biodiesel emissions compare to petroleum diesel?

The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine not equipped with new diesel after treatment results in substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter compared to emissions from diesel fuel. In addition, the exhaust emissions of sulphur oxides and sulphates (major components of acid rain) from biodiesel are essentially eliminated compared to higher sulfur diesel and as Biodiesel is free from Sulphur.

Of the major exhaust pollutants, both unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides are ozone or smog forming precursors. The use of biodiesel in diesel engines not equipped with new diesel after treatment results in a substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons. Emissions of nitrogen oxides are either slightly reduced or slightly increased depending on the duty cycle of the engine and testing methods used. Based on engine testing, using the most stringent emissions testing protocols required under BIS standards, the overall ozone forming potential of the speciated hydrocarbon emissions from biodiesel was nearly 50 percent less than that measured for diesel fuel.  

Do I need special storage facilities?

No special storage facilities are required for B100 Biodiesel due to its high flash point and non-hazardous nature. The fuel should be stored in a clean, dry environment. Acceptable storage tank materials include aluminum, MS or SS steel, HPDE etc. 

Can biodiesel help attacking global warming and climate change?

A biodiesel lifecycle study, concluded that biodiesel reduces net CO2 emissions drastically compared to petroleum diesel. This is due to biodiesel’s closed carbon cycle. The CO2 released into the atmosphere when biodiesel is burned is recycled by growing plants, which are later processed into fuel. Growing of feedstock also leads to additional plantation and increase of green cover leading to carbon sequestration.

Is biodiesel safer than petroleum diesel?

Biodiesel exhaust has a less harmful impact on human health than petroleum diesel fuel. Biodiesel emissions have decreased levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrated PAH compounds that have been identified as potential cancer causing compounds.

ABOVE ARE BASED ON GENERALLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION, FOR ANY OTHER QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE, KINDLY SEND US AN EMAIL TO : bmaiorg@gmail.com