Biodiesel offers safer and cleaner alternative to petroleum diesel. Biodiesel is made from renewable fats and oils, such as vegetable oils, through a simple refining process. Pacific Biodiesel produces biodiesel from used restaurant fryer oil. Biodiesel is a safe alternative fuel. Biodiesel has a higher flash point than regular diesel. It is classified as non-flammable by the NFPA, and is not required to carry a Hazardous Material label when being shipped.

Biodiesel is recognized as an alternative fuel. In its neat form and in blends of 20% or more with petroleum diesel, the US Department of Energy has acknowledged biodiesel as an alternative fuel. Biodiesel can be used for vehicle credits under the Energy Policy Act.

Plant based oils can be converted to bio – diesel by processing of the oil so as to convert triglyceride to fatty acid esters. This transesterification reaction is simple. However, improved technologies would result in higher yield and better quality. Research efforts for perfecting an efficient chemical / catalyst conversion process are ongoing and need to be pursued further.

Bio – diesel has been described vividly in the Report of the Committee of Development of Bio – fuels of the Planning Commission (2003). It is an ethyl or methyl ester of fatty acids and has properties similar to petroleum diesel fuels and can be mixed with any diesel fuel. Cetane number (CN) of the bio – diesel is in the range of 48 – 60 and the surplus content is typically less than 15 ppm. Studies conducted with bio – diesel on engines have shown substantial reduction in Particulate matter (25 – 50%). However a marginal increase in NOx (1-6%) is also reported; but it can be taken care of either by optimization of engine parts or by using De-NOx catalyst. HC AND CO emissions were also reported to be lower. Non – regulated emissions like PAH, etc. were also found to be lower. Bio – diesel is reported to have superior lubricity. Flash point of bio – diesel is high (>100oC) which is safer. The viscosity of bio – diesel higher and reported to result into gum formation on injector, cylinder liner, etc. Viscosity of biodiesel is slightly higher then regular diesel and it may lead to failure of injector after long run. However, blends with Biodiesel upto 20 % should not give any problem. While an engine can be designed for 100% bio – diesel use, the existing engines can use 20% Biodiesel blend without any modification and reduction in torque output. In USA, 20% bio – diesel blend is being used, while in European countries 5 – 15% blends have been adopted. Bio – diesel can be stored just like the petroleum diesel fuel and hence does not require separate infrastructure.

• Use of bio – diesel becomes compelling in view of the tightening of emission standards and courts interventions;
• The need to provide energy security, specially for the rural areas;
• The need to create employment;
• Providing nutrients to soil, checking soil erosion and land degradation;
• Rehabilitating degraded lands through greening;
• Addressing global concern relating to containing Carbon emissions and commitment to Kyoto protocol;
• Reduce dependence on crude oil import.