Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a biodegradable fuel derived from renewable resources which can be obtained using different processes such as cracking, esterification, or transesterification. It can be produced from animal fats or vegetable oils. In Brazil there are dozens of vegetable species which can be used, such as castor beans, oil palms, sunflowers, babasu palms, peanuts, jatropha, and soy, among other species.
Biodiesel can totally or partially substitute diesel fuel oil in diesel cycle automobile engines (in semi-trucks, tractors, trucks, automobiles, etc.) or stationary engines (heat generators, electrical generators, etc.). It can be used in its pure state or mixed with diesel in various proportions. A mix of 2% biodiesel to diesel fuel is called B2, 3% biodiesel to diesel fuel, B3, and so on, until reaching pure biodiesel, which is called B100.
According to Law n. 11 097, of January 13, 2005, biodiesel is a “biofuel derived from renewable biomass for use in internal combustion motors with compression ignitions, according to regulations, for generation of another type of energy, which may partially or totally substitute fossil fuels.”
Transesterification is currently the most widely used process for producing biodiesel. It consists of a chemical reaction between the vegetable oils or animal fats with common alcohol (ethanol) or methanol triggered by a catalyst, which also yields glycerin, a product with diverse uses in the chemical industry.
In addition to glycerin, biodiesel’s production chain generates a series of other by-products (fertilizer, bran, etc.), which can add value and provide for other important sources of income for producers."
Biodiesel can totally or partially substitute diesel fuel oil in diesel cycle automobile engines (in semi-trucks, tractors, trucks, automobiles, etc.) or stationary engines (heat generators, electrical generators, etc.). It can be used in its pure state or mixed with diesel in various proportions. A mix of 2% biodiesel to diesel fuel is called B2, 3% biodiesel to diesel fuel, B3, and so on, until reaching pure biodiesel, which is called B100.
According to Law n. 11 097, of January 13, 2005, biodiesel is a “biofuel derived from renewable biomass for use in internal combustion motors with compression ignitions, according to regulations, for generation of another type of energy, which may partially or totally substitute fossil fuels.”
Transesterification is currently the most widely used process for producing biodiesel. It consists of a chemical reaction between the vegetable oils or animal fats with common alcohol (ethanol) or methanol triggered by a catalyst, which also yields glycerin, a product with diverse uses in the chemical industry.
In addition to glycerin, biodiesel’s production chain generates a series of other by-products (fertilizer, bran, etc.), which can add value and provide for other important sources of income for producers."