Student Article High School Science Journal Author: William Cafcules

Pros & Cons of Biodiesel

August 05, 2007

America is facing a huge challenge regarding its source of energy for operating automobiles, as fossil fuels are diminishing throughout the world.  America must transition to alternative energy sources within the next few decades.  One of those alternatives that may be a practical source for the United States is biodiesel.  Biodiesel is a blend of traditional diesel and vegetable oil, which burns cleanly and is made from a renewable resource.  There are numerous benefits in using biodiesel as a form of energy, however there are some disadvantages.

        Not only does biodiesel help out with automobiles but it helps out America’s economy tremendously.  Because biodiesel is made from products farmed here in the U.S., it is entirely American-made and is therefore a contributing factor in decreasing our dependence on foreign oil (http://www.edmunds.com/advice/fueleconomy/articles/10294 6/article.html).  Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully met the health-effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act (http://www.sustainableresources.org/sr2004/Bi odieselArticle.htm).  Meaning the emissions given off by biodiesel is very low and non-toxic compared to that of petroleum diesel. Also, biodiesel can be used in any equipment with a diesel engine without making any modifications to the engine (http://www.edmund s.com/advice/fueleconomy/articles/102946/article.html). You are able to switch between the two fuels at any time without any damage to your motor.  Since there are many diesel operating vehicles on the road today, America will not have to spend a fortune on converting engines to this type of fuel.  Biodiesel has the potential of lessening its dependence on foreign energy sources, but there are still a few flaws that might prevent us from accomplishing our energy plans.

      Even though biodiesel cars emit less carbon dioxide, they put out some nasty particles and pollutants in the air, which will worsen the air quality throughout the U.S. (http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=1718746&page=2).  Another downside is biodiesel can only run on diesel operated cars, which tends to be large trucks, and very few midsized cars.  The price of biodiesel in combination with fuel-guzzling cars would make this alternative fuel price prohibitive (http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id= 1718746&page=2).  The use of biodiesel in areas with smog problems would be a huge concern, because biodiesel emits a lot of nitrogen oxide.  Cold weather brings viscosity problems with all biodiesel cars.  The higher the vegetable oil content of the biodiesel you use, the more viscous the fuel becomes in colder weather (http://abcnews.go.com/Tec hnology/story?id=1718746&page=2).  Dealing with older model cars, biodiesel sometimes has an affect to degrade rubber hoses used on older engines (http://www.chm. bris.ac.uk/webprojects2006/Walters/pac.html).  With all these complications, American technology could find a way to work around these minor obstacles.

      In conclusion, America is dealing with a difficult problem pertaining to sources of energy to run America’s vehicles.  As petroleum becomes scarcer around the world, America must turn to other alternative energy sources.  Biodiesel is one of many alternative energy sources that will help solve this problem, but America faces some risks regarding biodiesels’s overall performance.  With biodiesel burning cleanly, decreasing our dependence on foreign oil, and coming from renewable resources, it will substantially contribute to operating America’s vehicles efficiently, as well as America’s financial well being.   
 
 
 
 
 
Works Cited 

Baukus Mello, Tara.  “Exploring Biodiesel.”  edmunds.com.  9 September 2004.  <  http://www.edmunds.com/advice/fueleconomy/articles/102946/article.html>

Edstrom, Brian.  “Bring Biodiesel from Colorado to Colombia.”   <http://www.sustainableresources.org/sr2004/BiodieselArticle.htm>.

“Pros & Cons.”  <http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/webprojects2006/Walters/pac.html>.

Worley, Becky.  “Buying an Eco-Friendly Car.”  abcnews.com.  13 March 2006.  <http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=1718746&page=1>.

 
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