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| WIRED |
| Today's Fuels for Tomorrow's Growth |
| WIRED Homepage |
What is
Biodiesel?
 Biodiesel
is a transportation fuel that is derived from vegetable oils or
animal fats. It can be used either for a replacement of
petroleum diesel or blended with petroleum diesel with little or
no engine modification.
Biodiesel is produced by reacting vegetable oil (or animal fat)
composed of triglycerides with an alcohol, and a basic catalyst.
This process is called transesterification and yields mono-alkyl
esters of fatty acids (biodiesel) and glycerin. Biodiesel can be
produced in small lab batches to commercial plants with annual
production of several million gallons.
 While biodiesel is the lower in energy (8% less) than petroleum
diesel and has a warmer cold flow point, thus is less suited to
cold wather it has several properties that are important and
positive. Biodiesel is a cleaner burring, biodegradable, low
sulfur, renewable fuel that can increase both the lubricity and
the cetane rating of fuel. The production of biodiesel has a
positive energy balance averaging 3.2 units of energy gained per
unit expended. |
Why
Biodiesel in Eastern Montana?
 Central and Eastern Montana have great potential for renewable
fuel feedstock production. Much of the state is at a
disadvantage for ethanol production in comparison to Midwest
corn producing states. Many of the oilseed crops that can be
grown for biodiesel production are better suited for this
region. Some of these crops include: Soybeans, Safflower,
Canola, Camelina, Sunflower, and Flax.
Biodiesel plants can also be constructed on a variety of scales,
and thus can be better adjusted to regional supplies and
markets. |
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