Fuel Properties of Biodiesels

Abstract

Biodiesel is a renewable energy source produced from natural oils and fats, which can be used as a substitute for petroleum diesel without the need for diesel engine modification. In addition to being biodegradable and non-toxic, biodiesel is also essentially free of sulfur and aromatics, producing lower exhaust emissions than conventional gasoline whilst providing similar properties in terms of fuel efficiency. Fuel properties of biodiesel (viscosity, density, flash point cetane number, cloud point, and pour point, combustion efficiency, water content, comparison of fuel properties and combustion characteristics of methyl and ethyl esters, advantages and disadvantages of biodiesels, emission, biodegradability), benefits of biodiesel (reduces dependence on foreign oil, dwindling of worldwide fossil fuel supply, increases domestic oil security, more efficiency than alterative renewable fuels, such as ethanol, more biodegradablity than petro diesel, safer to transport and store and more environmentally responsible) have been investigated.