Biofuels Are A Green Energy Source
Biofuels are also a green energy source. It has been
around for a very long time and lately, people are beginning to take
notice.
Liquid biofuel which is the one used in cars is a natural and renewable
domestic fuel that can only be used for diesel engines. This can be made
from vegetable oils mostly soy and corn. The nice thing about it is that
it contains no petroleum, is nontoxic and biodegradable.
By fueling up with biofuel, you decrease the pollutants in the air
because it does not emit anything. Right now, it is the only fuel
approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), passed every
Heath-Effects Test of the Clean Air Act and meets the requirements of
the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
One example of this is biodiesel which is made from alcohol like
methanol and a chemical process that separates glycerine and methyl
esters (biodiesel) from fats or vegetable oils. Aside from methanol,
some countries have also experimented with corn and sugarcane to create
their own version of biofuel.
Glycerine is a common products and this is used in making toothpaste and
soap. Since it is quite new, the process of converting it is quite
expensive and right now, this is still much more expensive per gallon
compared to petroleum.
But if you look at what you pay for it, the returns are huge because you
get to do your share to preserve a cleaner environment, an improvement
in air quality and a reduction of cancer-causing agents.
A cheaper and primitive way to make bio-diesel is by collecting cooking
oil and then processing it. This may not good your car’s engine so be
careful if you decide to use it.
If you are skeptic about biodiesels, studies have shown that its
performance on the road is just as good as petroleum in terms of power
to efficiency, hauling and climbing. You can use this in its pure form
or blend with petroleum fuel. The most common mix in the market is 20/80
and is referred to as “B20.” This means that 20% is biodiesel and the
remainder is 80%. Another version is the E85 which is fuel composed of
85% ethanol and 15% gasoline.
The best part about using biodiesel is that you only have to make a few
changes in your engine to be able to use it. Aside from making the car
run, it also helps clean the engine. If you are concerned that this will
void the warranty of your vehicle should there be a problem, don’t worry
because it doesn’t. In the US, B20 is the most common one available but
there are only a few gas stations that carry it.
When car’s first rolled out in the beginning of the 20th century, Henry
Ford planned to make these vehicles especially the Model T’s run using
ethanol. Tests have even shown that these may also run using peanut oil.
This never materialized because huge oil deposits were discovered and
diesel was cheap. It was only when our demand for oil increased in the
1970’s, 1980’s, 1990’s and in the early part of this year that people
began to realize that to reduce our demand for foreign oil that we
should try using biodiesels and other forms of alternative energy.
Is it too late? Not yet because there is still time to use biofuels and
others as green energy sources.
About the Author: D. Benjamin is the owner of
iapsales.com LLC - a family business specializing in HVAC products. We
are distributors of
Qmark Heaters,
electric tankless water heaters,
bathroom heaters,
patio heaters, electric heaters, portable air
conditioners & electric towel warmers. Shop online at
www.heateroutlet.com for these great home improvement products.
Iapsales.com LLC was established in 2003 and is the sister company to
Innovative Air Products located in historical Exeter, NH. We are a 2nd
generation manufacturers’ rep firm dedicated to providing residential &
commercial heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment. We offer
a great selection online at the lowest prices anywhere. We can also be
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