Myths surrounding Biodiesel fuels

This article shows the problems of using biodiesel while blindly touting fuel economy .. a false economy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/23/automobiles/23AUTO.html?incamp=article_popular

* Biodiesel has only been EPA tested for the refined product which is shunned by Home Brew users as too expensive. They FILTER used oils full of toxic chemicals and saturated fats thinking that these chemicals are removed. All filtration removes are gross particulates. This means the bulk of biodiesel in use today contains TOXICS. EPA approvals for the fuel are null and void.

* The article complains that several miles from home, users have to flush their fuel lines with real diesel so the second hand fish shop stuff won't congeal and clog the lines. What about clogging lungs and arteries when unsuspecting asthmatics and cardiovascular sufferers breathe the stuff in?

There are clearly more ways that airborne substances can be toxic other than by containing the standard hydrocarbon combustion emission spectum of chemicals. If you wake up of a morning smelling like a fish shop, you are being POISONED no matter what some hair brained cheapskate or some blinkered EPA sciemntist or some 'soy bean agri entrepreneur' is telling you

Kaep, you get worse as you go along. Your link doesn't support your irrational and ridiculous reply, talk about making it up as you go, your at the top of the deluded liar pile and probably a monotheist.

It appears you've trawled the net, only finding one article you could misconstrue to satisfy your psychopathic ego, failing miserably. Hows the massive storms I believe you predicted for the USA starting in May this year going, just like your biodiesel theories it appears.

Unprocessed used veggie oil, does have problems with gelling, and filter clogging if your system is not set up and used properly. Biodiesel has no problems, just the opposite, giving longer life, smooth running, cleaner emissions and no environmental problems. Petro diesel requires changes to its make up for seasonal and regional reasons, using toxic additives. Engines using biodiesel can take a little longer to start in cold weather, however their higher lubricity overcomes the shearing effect on engine parts petro diesel creates.

As you consider 35cents a litre to expensive for the full production costs of biodiesel using waste oil and growing and producing it costs less than 15cents a litre, you must have a superior fuel costing much less, with better economic and environmental outcomes. So come on solve the worlds problems with your superior infinite wisdom.

My friends farms been running on biodiesel, for more than 10 years, you'll find farmers around the country doing the same. I have a 20 year old ute that's been using it for more than 5 years, done more than 450000 klm and runs smoothly, never had a fuel filter change since the first one, engine oil is cleaner and rarely needs changing.

Your post is fanciful in the extreme, its a known fact, biodiesel cleans fuel lines keeping them clean. The first time you use it your filter gets clogged with petro gunk, after that no cleaning is required. I'd check the relative thermodynamics of both fuels if I were you and get psychiatric help, you need it

Australia,

This Alchemist has sold his soul to the devil of agri business.

DO NOT let him sell your health and the health of your children.

If we want the pores of our skin to smell like a fish shop we will get a job serving in one. We do not want to wake of a morning any more to that sweet sickly smell of unrefined, bloody illegal biodiesel just so ignorant cheapskates can beat the current rise in oil prices.

What the? KAEP, I don’t understand why you think that biodiesel would be worse for your health than petrol/petrol diesel?

I think that the alchemist has some good and valid points you should consider- he seems to have a sound knowledge about the issue.

Anyway, before this article was published I was against the whole bio-diesel industry as well, and I have changed my mind about it now. I have learned from the article and the comments of OLO contributers and researched new information about biodiesel.

I really see a future for biodiesel as a replacement of petrol now.
First, I was opposed to biodiesel because I was worried about the forest-destructive oilpalm and soy farms and plantations as I mentioned in my earlier post. But I now especially like the idea of recycling used oil (when done properly- it will be disposed of otherwise so why not find a good use for it?) and of creating biodiesel from algae- my favourite.

It’s a good thing to collect as much information as you possibly can before forming a final opinion on it. In fact, I can say that I hardly ever have a ‘final’ opinion on an issue, as I would like to keep myself open to changes, new information, new ideas- even though I don't want to move away from some principles I have formed

Celivia,

Until biodiesel is cheaper than ether-diesel blends, Home Brewers will dominate. That means the whole thing is UNREGULATED and dangerous. They could accidentally put say, cyanide in their fuel mix and YOU wouldn't know.

Talk about gathering all the information.

You are intelligent enough to have read my posts and understood this issue.
This makes you come across as someone blowing an agri-business snow job.

KAEP, I said: “But I now especially like the idea of recycling used oil (when done properly…)”.
When something is done properly, I assume it is safely done. I don’t think there’s room for cyanide in biofuels that have been properly mixed, LOL. Next time when I mix my salad dressing from oils I’ll make sure not to accidentally put cyanide in it. I could, ya know- nobody would know till they have eaten it.

Jokes aside, I do agree with you that it would be a good idea to have regulated biodiesel available- I do see your point that accidents do happen. Do you have any links to articles about this safety issue?

When I said that I like the idea of recycling used oil, I never insisted on making home-brews though, if that would prove unsafe.
I get rid of my used oil by pouring it into a jar or bottle and disposing it in the garbage bin because I don’t know what else to do with it. I’d much rather take it to a local collection point from where a biodiesel company could pick it up to make biodiesel out of it in a safe (regulated) way. Same goes for all the left-over oils from fast-food outlets.

Perhaps there can be a short TAFE course organised about How to Make Your Own Biodiesel so people could be certified to do this at home.

"Talk about gathering all the information."
KAEP, I never said that I had ALL the information, but that with the information I have now, I have formed my opinion.
I am open to new information and I’m not afraid to change my opinion if I’d find my view clashes with facts about biodiesel.

There's always new research, new knowledge, new facts out there and no one has ALL the information.