the world’s main transport fuel.

   HM Customs and Excise have defined biodiesel as the following:

“Diesel quality liquid fuel produced from biomass or waste cooking oil”

   As its name suggests, biodiesel is a fuel oil derived from biological sources. Mainly these are vegetable oils and recycled cooking greases or oils, and it is a viable alternative to traditional petro-diesel for fuelling diesel engines

How does it differ from normal diesel?

   It’s a renewable fuel, normally manufactured from edible plant oils.

   The carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions resulting from its combustion in vehicle engines are reabsorbed through photosynthesis when the next crop of plants is grown.

   This is why the product is known as being Carbon-Neutral.

   There are therefore few net emissions of CO2  or other greenhouse gases from the use of biodiesel in vehicle engines.

   Using biodiesel leads to lower levels of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere than conventional diesel.

   It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar.

  Biodiesel has been around for over a century believe it or not!

Dr. Rudolph Diesel actually invented the diesel engine to run on vegetable oil.

   Due to reductions in biofuel duties, the use of it in today’s climate is now economically viable.

How is it made?

   Transesterification is the chemical process whereby glycerine is separated from the vegetable oil.

   This leaves two products:

·         methyl esters (chemical name for biodiesel).

·         glycerine (a valuable byproduct which can be use in the production of soaps and other products).