Biodiesel Fuel

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that can be made from vegetable oil, animal fat, and recycled cooking oils. Oils produced from algae, fungi, bacteria, molds, and yeast can also be used to produce biodiesel. The production and use of biodiesel is increasing across the United States. Commonly cited advantages of using biodiesel include: a good substitute for petroleum diesel fuel; using up to a 20% blend in most diesel equipment with no/minor modifications; burns clean, resulting in reduced toxic tailpipe emissions and gases associated with global warming; nontoxic, biodegradable, and suitable for use in sensitive environments; provides an additional market for vegetable oils and animal fats; provides farmers with the ability to grow their own fuel; and decreases U.S. dependence on imported oil if fuel feedstocks are grown locally. This publication addresses facts about using biodiesel fuel and presents the basic properties of biodiesel fuel.