Biodieselin

Biodiesel, or biodieselin in some languages, is a renewable diesel substitute produced from biological sources such as vegetable oils, animal fats, or used cooking oil. It consists mainly of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and can be used in diesel engines either neat (B100) or as a blend with petroleum diesel.

Most biodiesel is produced by transesterification, where fats or oils react with an alcohol—typically methanol—in the presence of a catalyst (often sodium or potassium hydroxide). The process yields biodiesel and glycerol as a byproduct. Common feedstocks include rapeseed/canola, soybean, palm oil, and recycled cooking oil. Biodiesel standards such as EN 14214 (Europe) and ASTM D6751 (United States) specify properties to ensure performance and compatibility.

Engine and performance: Biodiesel blends tend to improve lubricity and usually have a higher cetane number than petro-diesel, which can improve combustion in some engines. It can reduce emissions of particulates and carbon monoxide, and can lower net lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions depending on feedstock. Drawbacks include lower energy density, potential cold-weather gelling, and, in some cases, higher nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. Biodiesel is typically used as blends (e.g., B20 or B5) to balance performance and emissions, though B100 is used in some fleets with appropriate infrastructure.

Environmental and policy context: Biodiesel is biodegradable and less toxic than fossil diesel. Its sustainability depends on feedstock cultivation, land-use impacts, and processing efficiency. Market adoption is influenced by subsidies, renewable fuel mandates, and feedstock availability. Ongoing research seeks to expand feedstock options, improve catalysts, and develop second-generation biofuels with lower environmental footprints.