Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel produced from vegetable oils and animal fats through a chemical reaction and meeting ASTM 6751. Biodiesel contains no petroleum. It can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend to be used in a compression-ignition (diesel) engine with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is not the same thing as raw vegetable oil. It is produced by a chemical process called transesterification which removes the glycerin from fat or vegetable oils.
Technical Definition of Biodiesel and Biodiesel Blends
Biodiesel is a fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, designated B100, and meeting the requirements of ASTM D 6751 Biodiesel Blend is a blend of biodiesel fuel meeting ASTM D 6751 with a petroleum-based diesel fuel, designated BXX, where XX represents the volume percentage of biodiesel fuel in the blend.
Biodiesel Compatibility
Most engines are compatible up to 20% blend (B20) without effect to the internal seals, gaskets, and hoses. Each engine manufacturer has listed its maximum biodiesel blend to meet warranty and engine specifications, contact the engine manufacture for more details, links provided below will direct you common manufactures. Blends over 20% (B20) components made from fluorinated polyethylene, fluorinated polypropylene, Teflon, Teflon lined, or Viton are recommended.
