4/27/07 Weekly Report: Biodiesel: Future Solutions Now

The following brief article is adapted from a brochure produced by the County of Hawai`i’s Department of Environmental Management as a quick guide to one of the fastest growing alternative fuels in the world.

In a world of skyrocketing prices at the gas pump, the idea of an alternative to imported fossil fuel makes plenty of sense. It makes even more sense to divert approximately 50,000 gallons of used cooking oil & grease trap waste from our landfills to produce a renewable energy source.

Wouldn’t it be great to use a vegetable or animal -derived fuel, or biodiesel, to power our cars and trucks, and become far less dependent on rapidly depleting supplies of petroleum? Biodiesel is the fastest-growing alternative fuel in the US, and it’s already been in use for more than 20 years in Europe

On average, cars using biodiesel get 45 miles per gallon.

Some of our island neighbors are starting to pick up on the commonsense nature of alternative fuel sources. The County of Hawaii proposes to follow their lead and waive the current County biodiesel fuel tax to be in line with Maui and Kauai County and encourage biodiesel production on-island.

What is biodiesel?

Biodiesel is a fuel derived from vegetable oils or animal fats. Technically speaking, it is composed of mono-alkyl esters of long-chain fatty acids (derived from vegetable oils or animal fats.)

You know you’re driving behind someone fueling his or her vehicle with biodiesel when you catch the alluring aroma of French fries coming from the exhaust pipe.

What are the economic benefits of using biodiesel?

Used cooking oil is collected and processed into biodiesel at the local level, so fuel costs can be lower than petrodiesel. A recent survey of pump prices showed that biodiesel is cheaper than its petroleum based alternative.

	Biodiesel (B20)	Diesel (petroleum)
Maui	$ 3.09/gal	$ 3.75 - $ 3.95/gal
Oahu	$ 3.23/gal	$ 3.45 - $ 3.50/gal

The production of biodiesel creates new manufacturing jobs.
A decrease in our dependency on foreign oil allows fuel-related monies to be spent locally and increases our national security.
Biodiesel can be the least cost alternative to comply with State and federal air quality regulations.

What are the health and safety benefits?

Biodiesel is non-toxic. It’s safe enough to drink but not recommended due to the fat content.
It’s the only fuel to meet the standards of the EPA’s Energy Policy Act and fulfill all of the Health Effects Testing requirements under the Clean Air Act.
Cancer risks from biodiesel emissions are 90 percent lower than petrodiesel, which means reduced health care costs, better air quality and the alleviation of greenhouse gases and air pollution.
Biodiesel biodegrades at the same rate as sugar. Biodiesel spills and leaks don’t pose the kind of environmental hazard that occurs with petrodiesel use.
Biodiesel doesn’t produce explosive fuel vapors. There are fewer risks in handling, transporting and storing biodiesel than petrodiesel.

What are the benefits to the environment?

Biodiesel is derived from renewable and/or recycled sources which help divert waste from our landfills.
Demand for recycling used cooking oil and grease trap wastes lessens the temptation to illegally dump these wastes and prevents damage to our environment.
Biodiesel is ideal for use in marine areas, national parks, forests and other ecologically-sensitive environments. Biodiesel can even be used to clean up petroleum spills and rescue the wildlife affected.
Biodiesel use, instead of petrodiesel use, would result in reduced emissions: 80 percent less carbon dioxide, nearly 100 percent less sulphur dioxide, 50 percent less carbon monoxide, 95 percent less hydrocarbons, 30 percent less particulate matter (soot). There would be almost no emissions contributing to global warming. There would be no sulfur oxides, sulfates or carcinogenic benzene (the components of acid rain.)

Cars and trucks like biodiesel, too

Using biodiesel, you can get more complete fuel combustion due to increased oxygen levels.
Engine wear is reduced due to 50 percent increased lubrication, which leads to extended engine life.
Biodiesel provides smoother vehicle operation without affecting fuel consumption, auto-ignition, power output or engine torque.
Biodiesel can be used in existing, unmodified diesel engines. At most, older rubber hosing may have to be replaced.
Biodiesel is an excellent solvent and can be used to clean the engine, injectors, fuel pumps, fuel lines and other automotive parts.
Biodiesel can be used as an additive to petrodiesel in any ratio. The most commonly sold is B20 (20% biodiesel, 80% petrodiesel.)

What disadvantages are there to using biodiesel?

Cars built before the mid-1990s may have their rubber hosing damaged when using B-100 (100% biodiesel).

When first using biodiesel, you should change the fuel filters frequently until all petrodiesel deposits are dissolved.

Biodiesel DOES NOT work in gasoline engines and is not readily available in large supply.

How is biodiesel made?

Domestically produced plant-derived oil, microalgae, fish oil, animal fat or recycled cooking oil (from restaurants) is mixed with a catalyst lye (sodium or potassium hydroxide) and methanol. This mixture forms a substance called methoxide.

The methoxide breaks down the transfatty acids into two products: methyl esters and glycerin through a process called transesterificaiton. The methyl esters are separated from the glycerin. Any excess alcohol is recycled and the esters are purified through water washing, vacuum drying and filtration.

Voila, the final product is biodiesel.

For more details on how biodiesel is made, click on the Alternative Fuels Data Center’s website at www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/altfuel/biodiesel.html .

Biodiesel – what else should you know?

Biodiesel can be used in its pure form or as an additive to regular diesel.
It’s the fastest growing alternative fuel in the United States and has been in use in Europe for more than 20 years.
Hawai`i produces most of its biodiesel from used cooking oil, but it can also be made from plant crops, beef tallow, fish oil and microalgae.

Who’s using biodiesel in Hawai`i?

Maui County, City & County of Honolulu
Hawaiian Electric Co., Rock Star Masonry, Shamrock Tree Service (Big Island)
Bio-Beetle Rental Cars (Maui and Oahu)
Haleakala National Park (Maui)
Pacific Whale Foundation & Aqua Adventure Charters (Maui)
Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Woody Harrelson (Maui)
Many other Hawai`i businesses and residents

For more information, visit the National Biodiesel Board’s website at www.biodiesel.org or DBED Strategic Industries Division at www.state.hi.us/dbedt.ert/ , Pacific Biodiesel, Inc. at www.biodiesel.com or Bio-Beetle Rental Cars at www.bio-beetle.com .

CURRENTLY OPEN	DAYS/HOURS OF OPERATION	OPERATOR

Hawi Transfer Station**	Saturday only: 8 am-4:30 pm.	ARC of Hilo
(Open Saturday only)	(closed for lunch 1:00-1:30)
Hilo, 1260 Kilauea Ave. (Closed 12 noon-1:00 pm)	Tues-Sat 9am-5pm	Reynolds Recycling
Hilo, 30 Maka’ala Street	Mon thru Fri: 8:00am-5:00pm	Atlas Recycling
(Old industrial area)	Sat & Sun: 8:00am-3:00pm

Hilo Transfer Station**	Daily 8:00am-4:30pm	ARC of Hilo

Honoka`a Transfer Station (Weekends only)	Sat & Sun 8:00am-4:30	ARC of Hilo
Kailua-Kona, Pawai Place	Mon thru Fri: 7:00am-4:00pm	Atlas Recycling
(Old industrial area)	Sat 8:00am-3:00pm
	Sun Closed

Kea’au Transfer Station**	M, W, F: 8:00am-4:30pm	ARC of Hilo