Biodiesel

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

How is biodiesel made?
Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification whereby the glycerin
is separated from the fat or vegetable oil. The process leaves behind two products -- methyl
esters (the chemical name for biodiesel) and glycerin (a valuable byproduct usually sold to
be used in soaps and other products).

Is Biodiesel the same thing as raw vegetable oil?
No! Fuel-grade biodiesel must be produced to strict industry specifications (ASTM D6751) in
order to insure proper performance. Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully
completed the health effects testing requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments.
Biodiesel that meets ASTM D6751 and is legally registered with the Environmental Protection
Agency is a legal motor fuel for sale and distribution. Raw vegetable oil cannot meet
biodiesel fuel specifications, it is not registered with the EPA, and it is not a legal motor
fuel.
For entities seeking to adopt a definition of biodiesel for purposes such as federal or state
statute, state or national divisions of weights and measures, or for any other purpose, the
official definition consistent with other federal and state laws and Original Equipment
Manufacturer (OEM) guidelines is as follows:
Biodiesel is defined as mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable
oils or animal fats which conform to ASTM D6751 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).

Why should I use biodiesel?
Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has
lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and
biodegrades as fast as sugar. Since it is made in the USA from renewable resources such as
soybeans, its use decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to our own economy.
Where do I get biodiesel?
Biodiesel is available nationwide. It can be purchased directly from biodiesel producers &
marketers, petroleum distributors or at a handful of public pumps throughout the nation.

National Trucking Company's Biodiesel Study Shows Positive Results

Source: http://www.biotrucker.com/news/stories/20070321_Decker.asp

First-of-its-kind study shows reduced maintenance costs, positive cold performance

03/21/07 - Dale Decker is a third-generation trucker in the family business, which started in
1931 with one Model B Ford truck. Since then, the Fort Dodge, Iowa-based Decker Truck Line has
grown to more than 700 trucks and more than 1,400 trailers, with nine terminals in five states.
Dale Decker found out about biodiesel several years ago. The more he learned, the more he
wanted to try it.

"I appreciate the fact that biodiesel provides support for American farmers as a home grown
fuel," said Decker, who is Industry & Government Relations Director for Decker Truck Line, Inc.
He also said the added lubricity that biodiesel provides would help meet fuel lubricity
requirements when used with the newly mandated Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD).

Decker Truck Line, Inc. is the first major trucking company to compare a soy biodiesel B20
blend to regular diesel in a comprehensive over-the-road test covering two million miles.
Announced last fall, the "Two Million Mile Haul" has covered 350,000 miles towards the goal.
Partners in the Two Million Mile Haul include the Iowa Soybean Association, National Biodiesel
Board (NBB), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Iowa Central Community College and Renewable
Energy Group.

Decker says so far, so good. In fact, he has seen substantial benefits.

"What we've observed so far is great performance in the particularly cold winter we just
experienced, and reduced maintenance and engine wear benefits that equal or outweigh the
slightly higher cost of the biodiesel blend," he said.

More than 700 major fleets use biodiesel commercially, and more than 1,100 retail filling
stations, half of which are truck accessible, make various blends available to the public.

You can find out more about the project at www.2millionmilehaul.com.