Posts Tagged ‘biodiesel’

Market Analysis For Biodiesel Production

Sunday, December 21st, 2008

The main priority for those producing large amounts of biodiesel fuel is finding a suitable market. You have to locate your own targeted market where the consumers will buy biodiesel as repetitive customers and not just use it for single purchases. These returned customers are crucial in the expansion and profitability for  the business. Thus, your business and production of biodiesel will exist as long as possible.

To assist you in deciding which market is appropriate to pursue, this article provides basic background information regarding the biodiesel industry.  The availiability of  feedstock has been a factor that remains an obstacle for further improvement of biodiesel technology. On the other hand, demand of biodiesel is on the rise with the governments of many countries encouraging the production and advancement of biodiesel products and technology in their country. If in 2007 only 20 countries produced biodiesel, an estimated 200 countries will produce this alternative renewable energy  in the following years.

One major difference between earlier generations and contemporary situations is the availabilily of raw materials. In early generations, expensive feedstock such as soy, rapeseed and palm oil were used. They are all consumable products and therefore more expensive. On the other hand, alternative feedstock such as Jatropha can provide cheaper raw material with almost same quality. This fact encourages public and private sectors to participate in the biodiesel industry.

If we can find our market, we can get our market share in the biodiesel business. Producers that are able to evolve and adapt with the latest technology, government policies, and feedstock issues will definitely lead the market. We should prepare ourselves to quickly adapt to any issues or changes regarding biodiesel as a whole to achieve long term success.

For the last three years, usage of biodiesel has been increasing in the United States and Europe. We can even find fueling gas stations across the country. Since 2005, automotive manufacturers have started to release cars which accept biodiesel as an acceptable fuel additive. Similar improvements have also been implemented for railroad and aircraft use.

Another use of biodiesel is heating oil. Biodiesel can be used as a heating oil in private or commercial boilers. Biodiesel B20 could therefore reduce CO2 emission in the UK up to 1.5 million tons annually.

The current market for biodiesel is still very small although there is a large potential for this to become a larger scale activity and mainstream. With recent research into biodiesel (including the invention of cheaper and suitable crops such as algae and fungus), balance between supply and demand will be reached in the next few years and current investors will be the most benefited in years to come.

Biofuel; Fuel Alternative and Environmently Friendly

Sunday, December 21st, 2008

Fuel prices have been fluctuating lately and alternative fuel sources are becoming very important to society. The decreasing amount of oil stock worldwide, plus environmental issues have increased the priority for the development of alternative energy research and development.

Biofuel is one of the most popular forms of alternative energy. It refers to fuel that is made from solids, liquids or gases from organic materials. Although burning fossil fuel produces more energy in forms such as petroleum or kerosene, you also produce carbon dioxide and water. The release of too much carbon dioxide may effect the temperature of the world and this is known as the green house effect.

In the United States, more than 90% of greenhouse gas emissions are a result of the combustion of  fossil fuel. Other pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, volatile organic compounds and metals are also produced. Nitric, sulphuric and carbonic acids are other reactants in fossil fuel burning processes. These acids have potential to fall down upon the Earth as acid rain. This acid rain is quite dangerous since the acid may have a dangerous impact the environment and natures balance. More than that, fossil fuel also contains radioactive material such as thorium and uranium. Radioactive materials are known to be very dangerous for human being and the environment.

These facts may assist us in discovering another energy source that is environment friendly aswell as affordable. Biofuel is one of the best alternatives at the moment and there are many advantages if you use biofuel as your prime source of energy. Some of them are listed below and might help you to compare biofuel with fossil fuel in general.

Emissions

Research has proved that biofuel has potential to reduce carbon dioxide emission. For example, B20 (diesel fuel blended with 20% biodiesel) may reduces carbon dioxide emission up to 30% and also carbon monoxide up to 20%. Because of this research, biofuel and especially biodiesel, are recognized as the most effective technologies available to us today in helping reduce our carbon footprint.

Many countries have a problem dealing with pollution and the greenhouse effect. Massive usage of fossils fuel in developed countries affects the balance of delicate ecosystems, especially in developing and small, third world countries. Island countries such as ones in the Pacific Ocean will be in greater danger if the greenhouse effect worsens. Snow melting in Arctic regions can lead to higher sea levels and may endanger some countries. This is why countries all over the world need to agree to enforce methods to reduce emission levels and usage of fossil fuels.

Health Effects

Carbon dioxide that is produced during the combustion of fossil fuel is dangerous for your health. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons which are produced as byproducts of fuel burning and are widely known as a cancer precursor compounds. Biodiesel emissions are proven to produce less PAH compounds than petroleum. Biodiesel also makes air safer for people to breathe by reducing the PAH by up to 90%!

Energy Balance

Biofuel is very important for the future. Use of biofuel will steadily increase and you have the power to help this uprising because it is so easy to make your own biofuel for your car.