Focus question

If biodiesel can mitigate global warming, is the cheapest

alternative, and can be manufactured in our own nation
then why are we not completely switching over to it?

What is biodiesel ?
A renewable and clean-burning alternative to diesel
made through a chemical process that converts
vegetable oils/greases and animal fats into fatty acid
methyl esters (FAME).

FA
FA

Fatty Acid
Alcohol
Glyceri
n

FA

FA
Vegetable Oil

Biodiesel

How is biodiesel manufactured ?

Transesterification: a reaction between
an ester of one alcohol and a second
alcohol to form an ester of the second
alcohol and an alcohol from the original
ester
Esterification: a compound produced by
the reaction between an acid and an
alcohol with the elimination of a
molecule of water
Glycerin: colorless, odorless, syrupy
liquid, obtained from natural fats and
oils; solvent (acts).

What can be used to make biodiesel

?
Seeds/Plants
Soybeans
Canola
Cottonseed
Sunflowers

Animal fats
Beef tallow
Pork lard

Recycled cooking oils/greases

Algae

Biodiesel

Diesel

Biodegradable

High fuel efficiency

Energy independence

Engine durability

Lessens harmful emissions (HC, CM, CD,

M)

Not all gas stations have

diesel

Readily available, can be blended with

diesel

Releases carcinogens, nitrous

oxide, and soot

Gelling

Expensive (gasoline)

Potential to be more costly than other

fuels
Cost of building more filling stations

Biodiesel plants in the United States

Manufacturers that use biodiesel

Product

References
"About The Biodiesel Process."The Biodiesel Process.
Biodiesel of Las Vegas, n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2016.
"Biodiesel Basics."Biodiesel Basics: America's Advanced
Biofuel. National Biodiesel Board, n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2016.
"Biodiesel Blends."Alternative Fuels Data Center:. U.S.
Department of Energy, n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2016.
"Frequently Asked Questions : Alternative Fuels."Alternative
Fuels FAQ. The National Center for Appropriate Technology,
n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2016.
Fukuda, Hideki. "Biodiesel Fuel Production by Transesterification
of Oils."Biodiesel Fuel Production by Transesterification of Oils.
Science Direct, 11 Feb. 2002. Web. 07 Apr. 2016.

References cont
Gerpen, Jon Van. "Biodiesel Production Principles and
Processes - EXtension."Biodiesel Production Principles and
Processes - EXtension. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2016.
Knothe, Gerhard, Van Gerpen Jon Harlan, and Jurgen Krahl.
"Biodiesel Production."The Biodiesel Handbook. 2nd ed.
Champaign, IL: AOCS, 2005. 31-67. Print.
Lombardo, Crystalr. "7 Critical Pros and Cons of Biodiesel |
NLCATP.org."NLCATP. N.p., 30 Jan. 2015. Web. 02 Apr. 2016.
Maehlum, Mathias Aarre. "Biomass Energy Pros and Cons Energy Informative."Energy Informative. N.p., 16 Oct. 2012.
Web. 07 Apr. 2016.