Originally Posted by
Kiwiguy
I would be happy to drive a biofuel powered car. Somebody offer me a fuel pump at my local gas station and I'd do it gladly.
I can only assume that governments don't want us to switch to biodiesel in our cars and lorries for some reason. It would seem to have quite a few advantages. Perhaps there simply isn't enough production to meet the demand that could be created by a change in government tax policy?
http://www.biofuels.fsnet.co.uk/basics.htm
Tailpipe Emissions
The tailpipe emissions from biodiesel are far more people-friendly than those from petrodiesel. They are neither carcinogenic nor mutagenic and cause far less bronchial irritation. EPA confirms that -
Carbon monoxide is reduced by 47%.
Because biodiesel is an oxygenated fuel, much of the harmful carbon monoxide is converted to the dioxide.
Carbon dioxide is increased by 2%.
This doesn’t matter – the plants from which the oil came absorbed the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere when growing. This is carbon recycling.
Particulates are reduced by 48%. Total unburned hydrocarbons by 67%
This figure may be improved even further by the use of particulate traps. A reduction of 41% was achieved in Belfast during trials with a 22 year old Translink passenger bus after less than 50 miles travelled.
NOx emissions may be increased by up to 10%.
This is using 100% biodiesel in a standard diesel engine without a catalytic converter fitted. A reduction of 4% may be achieved when a catalytic converter is fitted and by retarding the fuel injection timing by 2 or 3 degrees. Using a mix of biodiesel and petrodiesel results in proportionately decreased NOx emissions.
SOx emissions are reduced 100%.
Biodiesel does not contain sulphur other than by trace contamination,.
Lifecycle Emissions
The main reason why the UK is so far behind other EU member states is an incorrect report published in 1995 which stated that the use of biodiesel would save only 60% of carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emissions. This was contrary to all other reports published world-wide, but it has taken many years to overcome government resistance.
No two lifecycle studies have produced the same results, due to the fact that there are so many variables in the crop production equation.
The US Environmental Protection Agency conclusion was that a 78% carbon emissions reduction, versus petrodiesel, is achievable.