Biodiesel Initiative
A need for alternative fuel sources has resulted in the search for creative ways to develop such new fuel resources. Biodiesel is the end result of a process called the "transesterfication" of vegetable oil. This process uses both vegetable oil waste, which goes through a filtering process, and pure vegetable oil which is combined with lye and methanol to create biodiesel and glycerol. The biodiesel initiative has been undertaken by several institutions, schools, groups and countries in an attempt to educate other about biodiesel and to produce a vegetable oil based fuel that can be used in vehicles and for heating the home.
The main type of oil used for biodiesel is soy or canola oil. The biodiesel initiative also depends heavily on the collection of waste vegetable oil from fast food restaurants like MacDonald's. Students at the Vanderbilt University, run the Vanderbilt Biodiesel Initiative. They collect waste vegetable oil from the university's dining services and convert it into environmentally responsible biodiesel. This fuel is then used to run the School's vans, buses and landscaping equipment. There are many such initiatives popping up all over, even in private homes and small businesses. And since the transesterfication process also produces glycerol which is used in the making of soaps, the initiative can also produce soaps for the market.
One of the many benefits of using biodiesel is that it is cleaner than regular diesel and there is a noticeable absence of that awful "diesel" smell. Not only does it smell cleaner, it also burns cleaner and cleans the fuel system of your car in the process. Biodiesel is also safer to transport and handle and is an environmentally sound alternative to regular fuel.
Looking at the bigger picture, the biodiesel initiative can result in a number of benefits both on a national, political and economic scale. It reduces a country's dependence on foreign oil which we can all benefit from. If we can all produce and satisfy our own fuel needs there would probably be less wars over oil. More money remains inside the country which should be an incredible boost for a local economy rather than being exported to oil rich countries.
We also know that oil resources are not going to last forever. Why? It is a non-renewable resource, which means when it is all harvested, that is the end of it. Biodiesel, on the other hand, is renewable. As long as there is soil to grow more soy and canola oil, there will be biodiesel. And best of all it can preserve the health of our environment for the future. Since biodiesel is almost carbon-neutral, it contributes insignificant emissions to global warming and minimal amounts of other emissions, which makes our air quality much better.
The Biodiesel initiative is not a perfect one by any means. We must have heard about the rising food prices being blamed largely on this initiative. It is the belief that our valuable food sources are being diverted to the production of fuel and thereby creating a scarcity in basic food supply. And even though there has been an increase in the availability of biodiesel, it is far from being readily available to the majority of consumers.
Another problem is that while biodiesel produces significantly lower emissions causing greenhouse gasses and other emissions, it does increase NOx which causes smog. Biodiesel has a higher gel point than other fuels, making it slushy if the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, necessitating the addition of other fuels like kerosene in colder temperatures.
Biodiesel Initiative has its drawbacks but the benefits seem to outweigh the negatives. It is up to participants, scientists and researchers to develop ways of making biodiesel work for all and more effectively under varying conditions. I have no doubt that with sufficient individual and political will, biodiesel could become a universal substitute.
