Biodiesel is a diesel fuel produced from new or used vegetable
and animal oils and fats. Biodiesel is biodegradable, reduces
air pollutants such as PM, CO, HC and air toxics, and is
a safer fuel to handle than petroleu m diesel. Biodiesel
can be used in any diesel engine (trucks, buses, marine vessels,
locomotives, stationary power generators, etc.) as well as
in boilers.
While studies show biodiesel reduces many types of tailpipe
emissions, there is some uncertainty over the impact of biodiesel
on NOx emissions. Bob McCormick of the National Renewable
Energy Labs says, “There are insufficient data, and insufficiently
representative data, to draw any conclusions regarding the
average effect of biodiesel on NOx emissions, even directionally.” For
more information on the subject, see
this PowerPoint presentation by Bob McCormick.
