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What is biodiesel?
A natural automotive fuel
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The use of biofuels has increased steadily in recent years, due to their importance in reducing the transportation and energy transition carbon footprint. They are another alternative, just like electrification, for the decarbonization of transportation.
What is biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a natural fuel. Its use makes it possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as it is produced from organic matter (mainly vegetable oils or animal fats).
Biodiesel can be blended with mineral diesel by up to 7%. It can also be used for domestic heating, in specific biodiesel boilers. It is obtained through a chemical process where the oil reacts with an alcohol when a catalyst is present.
Depending on the amount of biodiesel in a fuel's composition, a nomenclature is used using the letter B and a number, indicating the proportion of biodiesel in the blend with diesel obtained from oil. So, at Service Stations, diesel of fossil origin is called B7, being able to contain up to 7% biodiesel.
Types of biodiesel
Biodiesel can be classified in various ways, depending on the raw material it is made from. For example, depending on the raw material, the following types can be distinguished:
Biodiesel produced from vegetable oils
It is made from oil extracted from oleaginous plants such as rapeseed, sunflower, palm, soybean, and marine plants, such as algae. It is one of the most widespread methods of production, and raw materials are already being cultivated to produce biodiesel.
Biodiesel produced from animal fats
It is also possible to produce biodiesel from animal fats, by extracting and processing the lipids. In Spain, pork, bovine, or poultry fats are usually used.
Biodiesel extracted from used cooking oils
This is the most affordable option and the one that most promotes the circular economy and recycling, as it consists of using used oil in homes, the catering businesses, or the agri-food industry.
Biodiesel uses
Advantages of biodiesel
The worldwide biodiesel boom can be explained by the fact that it's an affordable fuel. Numerous studies have shown that its CO2, SO2, or CO emissions, among others, are lower than other fuels of fossil origin. In fact, institutions such as the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) estimate that the CO2 reduction ranges between 57% and 86%. This makes it a very interesting alternative, but that’s not its only advantage:
Characteristics of biodiesel
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