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| Biodiesel |
Biodiesel Offers Michigan a Renewable Alternative to Petroleum Diesel
Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable, nontoxic, fuel produced from domestic renewable resources. Biodiesel has been proven to be a much cleaner burning fuel than petroleum diesel. "Recycled" biodiesel is produced from refining waste greases from restaurants, cafeterias, and rendering operations, and "virgin" biodiesel can be made from various crops. It's most often used in blends of 2% (for lubricity) or 20% (B20) biodiesel, but may also be used as pure biodiesel (B100).
What's special about biodiesel?
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It's renewable
: Biodiesel is made from crops like soybeans, canola, and industrial hemp, and by chemically reacting alcohol with vegetable oils, fats, or greases.
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It's a homegrown fuel
: Purchasing biodiesel helps local economies; soy and canola growers in Michigan are already involved in biodiesel manufacturing and marketing, and steadier demand can help this growing industry support the Michigan economy. Currently two Michigan biodiesel plants in operation with the capacity to produce 20 million gallons of biodiesel per year. Two additional plants, located in Adrian and Milan, are under construction, and four additional plants have been proposed.
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It's healthier
: Biodiesel generates fewer harmful emissions of carbon monoxide and carcinogens like particulate matter that are common in diesel fumes. Many Michigan school bus fleets are using biodiesel in order to decrease emissions around children, who are more susceptible to respiratory illness and asthma than adults.
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It's efficiently produced
: Biodiesel has an overall positive life cycle energy balance - a measurement of the environmental performance of a product or service. (3.2:1, compared to 0.86:1 of diesel).
Biodiesel is cleaner than diesel. Biodiesel has proven to be a cleaner burning fuel than diesel. On average there is a 2% increase in NOx that can be reduced to a 0% through the use of additives to biodiesel. Note a 10% decrease in PAHs, which are carcinogenic materials that can ride into the lungs on particulates.
Biodiesel is a direct substitute for diesel. Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine without modification, at any blend of biodiesel, at any time, and can be stored and distributed through existing infrastructure. It acts like a detergent additive, loosening and dissolving sediments in fuel systems and storage tanks, so equipment may require filter changes when first transitioning to biodiesel, but in the long run enhances equipment durability. Because biodiesel is a solvent, B100 may cause rubber and other components to fail in vehicles manufactured before 1994.
Biodiesel functions in cold weather. Higher ratio blends like B100 are sensitive to cold weather and may require special anti-gelling precautions, as conventional No. 2 diesel does. Lower-ratio blends like B20 are used year-round in Yellowstone National Park (their B100 truck only failed to start once, when it was -37°F)-and in Michigan cities and national parks-without problems.
Where can I buy biodiesel? There are currently 38 biodiesel (B20 or higher) pumps throughout Michigan and 19 known sites dispensing lower level biodiesel blends (B10, B5, B2). Visit the National Biodiesel Board website for a listing of biodiesel pumps and their locations.
Michigan Activities
Renewable Fuels Commission
Biofuel Signage Rebate Program
Links:
Biodiesel Fueling Locations in Michigan
National Biodiesel Board
Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee
Items of Interest:
Regulations for Michigan Biodiesel Producers
Biodiesel related grants from MBEP
Biodiesel Publications
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