Biodiesel vs. Diesel

643 Words2 Pages

A majority of the population probably uses diesel fuel in automobiles, and central heating systems to heat buildings and houses. However, diesel fuel is dangerous to the environment. There is another option that can be used in place of diesel oil to fuel cars and to heat buildings. “Biodiesel is a legally registered fuel, and fuel additive with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)”, and it is made from “vegetable oils, yellow grease, used cooking oils, and tallow” (“Biodiesel Production and Distribution”). Biodiesel fuel has many advantages over diesel fuel that allows it to be a better fuel than diesel fuel such as improving the environment, decrease the U.S. dependency on foreign petroleum, and reducing the amount of hurtful contaminants.
On the other hand, occasionally people think that biodiesel has more disadvantages than advantages. For example, biodiesel is “currently more expensive” than petroleum based fuels, and biodiesel is “not suitable for use in low temperatures” (“Biodiesel”). People also perceive biodiesel as a disadvantage since, there is a “concern of biodiesel’s influence on engine durability” (“Biodiesel”).
In spite of, some people thinking that biodiesel have further disadvantages than advantages others respectably disagree. Supporters of biodiesel have faith in biodiesel being worthy substitutes of diesel fuel since it can help improve the environment. “According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by at least by 57 percent and up to 86 percent with the use of biodiesel” (“What is Biodiesel?”).
Whereas those who are devoted to using diesel fuel in vehicles are causing harm to the atmosphere. A person who is simply driving from work to ho...

... middle of paper ...

...nd buildings while also helping to mend the environment, allows the U.S. to not have to rely on foreign petroleum, and can lower health risks for people. If you are not a fan of biodiesel you might want to become one, especially if you care about your health.

Works Cited

“Biodiesel”. Cyberlipid Center. Web. 28 March 2014.
Perritano, John. "Top 10 Advantages of Biofuels” 12 January 2011. HowStuffWorks.com. Web. 18 April 2014.
United States Department of Energy. “Biodiesel”. Web. 28 March 2014.
---. “Biodiesel Benefits and Considerations”. Web. 4 April 2014.
---. “Biodiesel Production and Distribution”. Web. 4 April 2014.
Varrasi, John “Waste Not: Used Cooking Oil= Energy Source”. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). January 2012. Web. 29 March 2014.
“What is Biodiesel?” Biodiesel Basics. National Biodiesel Board 2014. Web. 28 March 2014

Show More
Related

  • Should Corn Ethanol Be Used For Fuel?

    2514 Words  | 6 Pages

    Stauffer, Nancy. ”MIT ethanol analysis confirms benefits of biofuels.” Laboratory for Energy and the Environment. January 2007.

    Read More

  • Ethanol Vs Gasoline Essay

    565 Words  | 2 Pages

    Both gasoline and ethanol have been around since the time of Henry Ford. Gasoline has been the more accessible of all of them. Ethanol and natural gas have been gaining more support over the years and now gasoline contains ten percent ethanol. Propane is mostly used in fleet vehicles. Cars today can run on gasoline with a little ethanol, but too much ethanol can severely damage a vehicle. Only flex fuel vehicles can handle more than ten percent ethanol in a system. Natural gas vehicles are starting to come onto the market. All three fuels have their pros and cons, but the ultimate decision is up to the consumer.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Clean Diesel

    1679 Words  | 4 Pages

    The diesel we use today is much “cleaner” than previous types. Clean diesel is a type of diesel fuel that is often referred to as ULSD. This acronym stands for Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel. This type of fuel is a more refined fuel than previous standard types of diesel. Although it is not the same as biodiesel, many people do not actually know the difference between “biodiesel” and “clean diesel”. Biodiesel is a fuel derived from biological substances which can include plants, plant oil, and animal fat. Even though biodiesel and clean diesel are two different things, they are usually mixed

    Read More

  • Biodiesel Essay

    548 Words  | 2 Pages

    Biodiesel is considered an environmentally friendly alternative because it reduces the amount many toxic substances. Plants such as soybeans require carbon dioxide from the air to produce their stems, roots and leaves. During biodiesel production from soybean oil, carbon dioxide is produced and released in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is considered a green house gas (GHG). However, this cycle of GHG emission does not neccersarily contribute to the atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. This is because the next soybean crop will reuse the carbon dioxide emitted for its growth. Another important environmental benefit is that biodiesel reduces particulate matter (PM), hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions. These benefits occur because biodiesel contains 11% oxygen by weight. Oxygen allows the fuel to burn better, resulting in fewer emissions from unburned fuel. And lastly, biodiesel fuels do not contain any sulfur and does not have an unpleasant smell when it is emitted from vehicles.

    Read More

  • America Needs More Public Transportation

    1068 Words  | 3 Pages

    Pollution is a major problem for all of us. People need to recognize this situation so we can start making a difference to this problem. In order to start making a difference, the federal government should increase gasoline tax by one dollar a gallon. Fifty percent of this dollar will go towards public transportation, since passenger cars and trucks are a major contribution towards air pollution, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, E.P.A (10/4, http://www.epa.gov/autoemissions/emsns.html). Due to the expected increase after this is put forth, the remaining fifty percent of the dollar will go towards safety on these transits. When public transportation increases, air pollution will decrease, which will lessen the harmful health risks towards the environment.

    Read More

  • Our Dangerous Dependence on Fossil Fuels

    687 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...g/what-is-biodiesel/biodiesel-basics) .This source is definitely a viable option for America, the implementations might start out a little costly. Companies and industries that use fossil fuels need to start going in the direction of renewable resources to sustain their businesses. By implementing a government incentive to these companies, perhaps it will make the process smoother.

    Read More

  • Gasoline Dependence

    1876 Words  | 4 Pages

    When the problems with gasoline use are considered, the catastrophic environmental effects are the primary concern. Automobile use consumes 70 percent of the United States oil supply and is responsible for one-third of the nation’s carbon emissions (Lovins 173). This results in pollution, global warming, and health problems for the people, plants, and animals. The search for alternative fuel is powered by the increasingly evident environmental problems and long-term health of the planet (Povey 17). Fortunately, reducing emissions globally is predicted to have a positive effect and offset previous harms (Backer).

    Read More

  • Biofuels Essay

    3324 Words  | 7 Pages

    ... is flaws there is many advantages such as The renewability of biofuels in which allow unlimited resources, The Economic rising and slowly decreasing Foreign oil dependency, and best of all, The overall healthier effect on the environment compared to fossil fuels. These key advantages are just as important the remember as their flaws. This is what science has achieved, a new world of possibilities and a vision of a new world with a new category of energy. Researchers continue to this very day, expanding their already existing knowledge of biofuels even further to find better solutions to the issues at hand, (The flaws) and with this shows the promise of a true innovating fuel source. With this promise, scientist have begun to find new products to make even superior biofuels than those that still exist, in order to eliminate potential and already existing issues.

    Read More

  • Biofuel and The Racing Industry

    1086 Words  | 3 Pages

    Secondly, the use of biofuels is not a cost effective option as they are more expensive than fossil fuels. According to the County Commissions of the US Department of Agriculture and North Dakota State University, there are around seven biodiesel producers in the US. Biodiesel is the mix of biofuel and diesel in 20:80 ratio, which means that the cost of biodiesel will be around 20$ more ...

    Read More

  • Corner Gas Station Descriptive Writing

    912 Words  | 2 Pages

    A lot of people are busy coming in and going out, getting their necessities they need to commence their day. Whether its fuel, snacks, drinks, coffee, breakfast sandwiches, or other knickknack necessities. As I get out of my truck the faint smell of diesel and gasoline fumes approach me. All different walks of life

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Electric Cars

    1187 Words  | 3 Pages

    Purchasing a car is one of the hugest or biggest accomplishments that a person can achieve on their own. However, what happens when that purchase turns out to also be the worst decision that was ever made? The purchase was a success and a goal was achieved, but the moment the key is turned and the engine is started the contribution to environmental harm begins. As the car is driven, the gasoline fumes that are released from the car contribute to the other many factors and pollutants that damage the environment. Not only is the purchase now a contributor to the depletion of clean air, but it could also play a part in the depletion of someone’s health. For example, asthma or bronchitis could develop in an adult or child as a direct result of breathing in noxious automotive fumes. Depending on where one lives, there could be strict regulations on air pollution. One must be accountable for any and all contributions made to the demise of what was once a healthy Earth. One must be accountable for his or her own carbon footprint. Some individuals have taken steps to reduce their carbon footprints and cause less harm to the environment by purchasing electric cars.

    Read More

  • Cycling Controversy

    1045 Words  | 3 Pages

    By continuing to ignore that for every gallon of diesel fuel, 22.38 pounds of carbon dioxide is given off into the environment is

    Read More

  • Swot Analysis Of Biodiesel

    1214 Words  | 3 Pages

    Recently, a new form of renewable fuel called renewable diesel was developed and is starting to grow in popularity. It is a direct substitute for other transportation fuels such as petroleum diesel and biodiesel with the latter being the primary product of SeQuential. Renewable diesel is produced using renewable materials such as cooking oil much like biodiesel, however the similarities end there. Renewable diesel is able to withstand freezing temperatures which biodiesel cannot and can also burn cleaner than biodiesel due to it being hydrogenated (Ernst, 2016). Not only that, renewable fuel can also be used in used directly without needing to be blended with petroleum diesel like biodiesel (Ernst, 2016). These advantages over biodiesel means SeQuential faces a very real threat of substitution as renewable diesel becomes more

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Electric Cars

    734 Words  | 2 Pages

    We use cars in our daily lives. It is a useful tool that allows us to get to and fro easily and efficiently. We think of these vehicles as something that we can’t live without. But, little do we know, these automobiles hold a substance that can harm our planet and our health. The substance that I am talking about is gasoline.

    Read More

  • Advantages And Disadvantages Of Biofuels

    816 Words  | 2 Pages

    The concept of this essay is to stress that biofuels are a viable and sustainable energy source than fossil fuels, showing its advantages but not ignoring its disadvantages which also enlightens us about the cleaner and renewable natural resources. Biofuels is an alternative source of energy which can end the global dependence on fossil fuels.

    Read More

More about Biodiesel vs. Diesel

Open Document