Biodiesel properties and emissions based on the type of blend and raw material

Abstract

Biodiesel production is gaining more and more relevance due to its environmental benefits such as its biodegradability, it has no CO or sulfur emissions, its produce a reduction in the CO2 emissions, prolongs the engines lives, could be blend with regular diesel and it is produce from renewable and sustainable sources. The name “biodiesel” is normally associated to any blend of regular diesel and biodiesel; however, the ASTM defines as biodiesel to the B100 (100% pure biodiesel) while any other blend is label in relation to the percentage of biodiesel in the mixture. The most common blend is B20, which has a 20% of biodiesel. Based on the percentage of the biodiesel, the amount of regular diesel and the raw material from where the biofuel is produced, different properties, emissions and engine performance can be seen. A comparison of the biofuel based on these three main parameters will be presented with the aim of pointing out the differences of each blend, the influence on the emissions based on the quantity of biodiesel in the fuel and how this percentage affects the combustion of an internal engine of a car. Even more, it will be shown international policies regarding the type of blend that should be used and when this should be reached.