Biodiesel

Facilities Management currently uses a 20% biodiesel blend (B20) in all their off-road diesel fueled equipment which includes grounds maintenance equipment and emergency generators.

What is Biodiesel?

Biodiesel is a domestic, renewable fuel for diesel engines derived from natual oils like soybean oil. It is produced by a chemical process which removes the glycerin from the oil, using either virgin stock or used cooking oil. Biodiesel can be used in any concentration with petroleum-based diesel fuel in existing diesel engines with little or no modification.

How does that help the environment?

B20 [20% biodiesel blended with 80% petroleum-based diesel] reduces total gydrocarbons up to 30%, Carbon Monoxide up to 20%, and total particulate matter up to 15%. Those pollutants are linked to smog formation, climate change, and rising asthma rates.

Sulfur Dioxide [SO2, which causes acid rain] emissions are reduced because pure biodiesel does not contain any sulfur.

Nitrogen Oxides [NOx, which causes smog] can be the same, slightly more, or slightly less depending on the specific application.

What about climate change and greenhouse gases?

As a renewable fuel derived from organic materials, biodiesel reduces the net amount of carbon dioxide emissions. A study by the US Department of Energy has found that biodiesel production and use emits almost 80% less CO2 than petroleum-based diesel. While CO2 is still emitted when biodiesel is burned, this carbon is part of a closed cycle and absorbed by the crops such as soybeans that are used for fuel stock.

For more on the environmental benefits of Biodiesel... (PDF).