[OFB Cafe] Bio Fuels

[Chris Olson]

From: Derek Broughton 
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 9:10 AM
To: An Open Discussion Forum on Just About Everything,Especially for Techies. 
Subject: Re: [OFB Cafe] Bio Fuels


> However, production of bio-diesel invariably involves some 
> energy expenditure, and it doesn't burn any cleaner than regular oil (though 
> it may not produce a net greenhouse gas emission, as the "bio" part is 
> recycled carbon).

Don't want to get into a big argument, but in hundreds of hours of testing on the dynamometer at ProFab, certifying Caterpillar and Cummins engines for various blends of biodiesel fuel, biodiesel most definitely does burn considerably cleaner than petroleum #2 diesel - in the same engine with the same compression ratio, same injection timing, same boost pressure.  We've found that B20 reduces hydrocarbon emissions, as compared to petroleum #2, by an average of 30% in Cummins and Cat diesels, carbon monoxide by roughly 20%, and particulate matter by 15-20%.  Some older engines (Cat 3406B and E series, Cummins N14, etc..) can be Tier III certified on B20, but not with straight petroleum #2.

There's also a considerable amount of energy expenditure to produce petroleum fuels, in drilling, pumping, refining and transportation.  In our studies the net change for B100 soy biodiesel vs #2 petroleum shows a total 78% reduction in CO2 emissions for the same quantity of energy produced in fuel, with the advantage going to biodiesel.
--
Chris