Brian Krohn, the undergraduate...
Brian Krohn, the undergraduate with the spark.
Algae can also be tricked into making methane, another fuel the diesel engine could possibly consume. Think of a diesel engine as a garbage disposal taking in whatever fuel you put into it and then producing tire-smoking power.
How are biodiesel's emissions different from mineral diesel's emissions?Short Answer: Biodiesel burns cleaner
Long Answer:According to a report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) entitled "A Comprehensive Analysis of Biodiesel Impacts on Exhaust Emissions," particulate matter (PM), hydrocarbon (HC), and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions dropped significantly. On the other hand, nitrogen oxide, including nitrogen dioxide (NOx) emissions, went up ever so slightly. In considering fuel effieciency, biodiesel provides 1-2% less when running a B20 mixture because it contains less potential energy in comparison to mineral diesel. Interestingly, different feedstocks produce varying amounts of potential energy. Finally, lets consider the smell. This is a matter of taste, but biodiesel will have a better fragrance for most people because fuel produced by the Mcgyan process is said to have a light fruity smell.
What are some of the problems associated with Biodiesel, and what do the manufacturers of injection equipment think about Biodiesel?Short Answer: None
This is the first Mcgyan reactor,...
This is the first Mcgyan reactor, which was created in 2006.
There is no short answer. Sorry. However, we can narrow where the problems will show up in your engine. First, let's eliminate the parts that will not care which fuel is burned. Your pistons, rings, and cylinder walls won't notice, they'll even like the extra lubricity associated with biodiesel. Where the problem lies is with the fuel system so let's investigate this. Before we begin, this is a message from the diesel fuel injection equipment manufacturers (FIE), including Delphi, Bosch, Siemens, Denso, and Stanadyne.
Experience with Rapeseed Methyl Ester fuels in Europe suggests that RME, conforming to the European standard EN14214 at the point of sale, used in mixtures of up to 5% by volume with mineral diesel fuel complying with the EN590 diesel fuel standard should not give end-users any serious problems. The current position of all FIE manufacturers is to limit release of injection equipment for admixtures up to a maximium of 5% FAME (meeting the EN14214 standard) with unadulterated diesel fuel (meeting the EN590 standard). The final product, B5, must also comply with EN 590. Any new bio-oil blend, e.g. B10 in Europe or B20 in the U.S., has to be standardized (with special emphasis on oxidation stability) and validated carefully before release.
Tundra is broken for the newest...
Tundra is broken for the newest Mcgyan reactor in Isanti, Minnesota.
Worries the FIE have (which means you should be wringing your hands as well) include:
Free Methanol - This corrodes aluminum and zinc, and has a low flash point.
Water - This is the fuel of life. If you have water in your fuel, bacteria can grow, which is not good. It can turn your fuel into methanol, not to mention clog filters and cause moving parts to stick.
Free glycerine - Corrodes parts and clogs filters. Mono-, di- and triglycerides - Coats injectors.
Shown here are the official...
Shown here are the official inventors of the Mcgyan process-Clayton McNeff Ph.D., Professor Arlin Gyberg, and Bingwen Yan Ph.D.
These are all headaches the refinery must deal with and keep at acceptable levels. If they do find their way into your fuel system in significant quantities, corrosion and injector coating are the result, which also can be a major problem.
Oxidation stability is a significant hurdle to clear. It is also a variable the users of bio-oils can control. FAMEs are biodegradable, which is good for seals and whales, but bad for trucks. Heat, oxygen, and water are the enemy and need to be controlled. As a rule, biodiesel is much less stable than petroleum diesel fuel.
What are some of the solutions to biodiesel's weaknesses?Short Answer: Bio-oils need a refrigerator tank and consistency