Qué es Biodiesel

Traductores: David Tetta

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The following is a brief introduction to biodiesel and is only intended to provide an overview. For more detailed information visit the BAC Web site www.biodiesel-canada.org or NBB Web site www.biodiesel.org.

Biodiesel is the generic name of an alternative diesel fuel produced from renewable resources that are converted into fatty acid methyl esters. It is a versatile fuel that can be used as a substitute or additive in a range of diesel fuel applications.

Biodiesel is derived from domestic, renewable resources such as animal fats and plant oils. By a chemical process called transesterification, using an alcohol such as methanol and a catalyst such as sodium hydroxide, raw fats and oils are converted into a stable product. Different fats and vegetable oils produce somewhat different biodiesel fuels, but they all must meet the same biodiesel fuel standard.

Biodiesel has proven to be effective as a lubricity additive and for use in automotive engines, home heating systems and other equipment designed to use diesel fuel.

Any product marketed as biodiesel must meet the high standard set by the ASTM D6751. The Canadian General Standards Board CAN/CGSB-3.520 Biodiesel B1- B5 Standard also requires the B100 blend stock to comply with either ASTM D6751 or the European biodiesel standard EN14214.

Raw or refined vegetable oils, or recycled greases that have not undergone chemical manufacturing into stable biodiesel ARE NOT BIODIESEL and should not be identified as such. Potential purchasers should ensure that any alternative fuel product that they are considering as a biodiesel complies with either ASTM D6751 or EN14214. The European specification EN14214 is very similar to the ASTM D6751, and is in fact slightly more stringent in a few areas. Therefore, the ASTM D6751 is the minimum acceptable specification that is acceptable as B100

biodiesel blend stock.

In its neat form as B100 (100% biodiesel), biodiesel offers significant environmental benefits. The greatest virtue of biodiesel is that it contains virtually no sulphur. Furthermore, according to a report issued by the EPA in October 2002, burning B100 reduces the emissions of PM and CO by almost 50% and unburned hydrocarbons by almost 70%. There is, however, a slight increase in NOx emissions, but blending reduces NOx emissions to a negligible amount. Research is currently being conducted to lower these NOx emissions. According to the NBB, biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing requirement of the U.S.1990 Federal Clean Air Act Amendments, which required a four-year, $2 million health effects testing

program.