Background to Biodiesel
The current social and legislative climate is putting greater emphasis on sustainability. On a global scale, renewable energy sources were a central focus of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, 2002, and more specifically the Kyoto Protocol Europe assumes that carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will be reduced by 8% between 2008 and 2012 (BLT Wieselburg, 2000). For this to be achieved it is necessary for governments to introduce legislation on a national scale. Targets of this genre have been set across the world, focussing on the reduction of pollutants and increase in use of alternative fuel sources. The White Paper of the European Commission "Energy for the future: renewable sources of energy" considers this with specific emphasis on the use of biomass as a key source of renewable energy. Solid biomass is defined as; "any plant matter used directly as fuel or converted into other forms before combustion." (IEA, 2002) examples include; wood, wheat crops, the definition can also be extended to include waste products from animals. Biofuels, which are primarily used to fuel road vehicles, are produced from biomass and are an integral alternative fuel source. There are several forms of biofuel; ethanol, methane and biodiesel to name a few. The focus of this project has been the production and use of Biodiesel.
History of Biodiesel Use
Rudolf Diesel lent his name to the diesel engine that he invented in the late 1800's. The invention was first presented in 1900 at the World Exhibition in Paris and, interestingly, was fuelled by peanut oil. It appears that, at the time, the most obvious liquid fuel to use was vegetable oil.
Today the diesel engine runs on fossil fuel, a source of energy that is gradually being depleted; some estimates suggest that possibly in as little as 40 to 60 years fossil fuel resources could be severely strained. Even the most optimistic view still must concede that a sustainable energy source needs to be developed. The very essence of sustainability is to meet the needs of today whilst ensuring that future generations can meet their own needs. Biofuels (including biodiesel) fit into this culture and offer a solution, at least in part, to the depletion of energy sources.
Benefits of Biodiesel
Biodiesel can be defined as an ester-based oxygenated fuel made from vegetable oil or animal fat. There are several key advantages to using biodiesel above traditional diesel;