Frequently Asked Questions

This page will help you find answers to any frequently asked questions. If there is something you are still unsure off, please contact us.

1. WHAT IS BIODIESEL?
   
   What Biodiesel IS:
   • Biodiesel is a clean burning renewable fuel made using natural vegetable oils and fats.
   • Biodiesel is made through a chemical process which converts organically derived oils and fats into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME).
   • Biodiesel is intended to be used as a replacement for petroleum diesel fuel, or can be blended with petroleum diesel fuel in any proportion.
   • Biodiesel does not require modifications to a diesel engine to be used.
   • Biodiesel has reduced exhaust emissions compared to petroleum diesel fuel.
   • Biodiesel has lower toxicity compared to petroleum diesel fuel.
   • Biodiesel is safer to handle compared to petroleum diesel fuel.
   • Biodiesel quality is governed by EN14214 quality standard.
   • Biodiesel is biodegradable, non-hazardous, non-toxic, and has a very high flash point.
   
   What Biodiesel is NOT:
   Some companies and groups improperly use the word Biodiesel to describe diesel fuel replacement products they have developed. This has created significant confusion for consumers looking to purchase and use Biodiesel. Some of these alternatives have not been properly tested and could lead to damage to vehicles. Below is some information to help distinguish real Biodiesel from impostors:
   • Biodiesel is not vegetable oil.
   • Biodiesel is not vegetable oil diluted with solvents, i.e. diesel fuel or alcohols.
   • Biodiesel is not vegetable oil with “special additives” to make it run better.
   • Biodiesel is not vegetable oil refined through a conventional oil refinery process.
   • Biodiesel is not vegetable oil refined through thermal depolymerization (renewable diesel).
   • Biodiesel is not a fuel that requires costly modifications to your diesel engine (unlike straight vegetable oil).
   • Biodiesel is not crude methyl esters which have not been refined or minimally refined. The EN14214 standard stipulates a minimum FAME content of 96.5%.
   Unlike Biodiesel, none of the fluids listed above have undergone renewable fuel certification, emissions or toxicity testing, or long-term reliability testing in engines and vehicles. AGAIN BEWARE OF IMPOSTERS!


2. HOW TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETTING BIODIESEL?
   
   In order to be called Biodiesel THE FOLLOWING MUST APPLY:
   • Biodiesel must be produced from naturally occurring fats and oils using transesterification.
   • Biodiesel must be composed of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters.
   • Biodiesel must be refined to remove all trace impurities.
   • Biodiesel must meet the EN14214 quality standard. If a fuel product does not meet these requirements it IS NOT Biodiesel. The most important thing to ask your fuel provider is if the Biodiesel is EN14214 quality certified.


3. CAN MY CAR RUN ON BIODIESEL?
   
   YES. Biodiesel produces cleaner emissions and better engine lubrication. Biodiesel has a solvent effect that may release deposits accumulated on tank walls and pipes from previous diesel use. Note: In higher blends of Biodiesel the release of deposits may end up blocking your fuel filter. As a consequence, fuel filters may have to be changed more regularly during the first year.


4. CAN BIODIESEL BE USED AS A PURE FUEL?
   The answer is YES. We recommend that when people start using the fuel they mix it 50% with normal diesel just to gain confidence and increase the mix from there. A blend of 20% Biodiesel and 80% ordinary diesel has demonstrated significant environmental benefits. When used pure, there will be less “black smoke” emitted from the exhaust.


5. WHAT ABOUT FUEL ECONOMY?
   Fuel economy is the same as conventional diesel.


6. WHAT ARE THE ENVIRONMNETAL ADVANTAGES?
   Biodiesel burns up to 75% cleaner than ordinary diesel. In addition Bio-Diesel reduces unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. The exhaust emissions of sulphur oxides and sulphates (the major component of acid rain) are almost eliminated.


7. DO I NEED SPECIAL STORAGE FACILITIES?
   The fuel should simply be stored in an air tight container in clean dry environment. The reason for this is because Biodiesel is hydroscopic in nature, (it naturally absorbs moisture).


8. WHAT EFFECT DOES COLD WEATHER HAVE ON BIODIESEL?
   Biodiesel will wax or gel in very cold temperatures (-3 degrees Celsius). If this happens, pour in more conventional diesel into your tank or look on the web for products that prevent this, alternately we could recommend a supplier.


9. HOW ABOUT TOXICITY, BIODEGRADABILITY, SAFETY & RECYCLING?
   Though it is uncommon for the average person to come into direct contact with fuels, occasional spills do occur, and the impact of the fuel on plants and animals must be considered. Biodiesel has been proven to be much less toxic than diesel fuel, and is readily biodegradable. These attributes make it less likely to harm the environment if an accidental spill occurred, and far less costly to repair damage and clean up.
   
   Less Toxic than Table Salt
   Being derived from vegetable oils, Biodiesel is naturally non-toxic. The acute oral LD50 (lethal dose) of Biodiesel is more than 17.4 g/Kg. By comparison table salt (NaCl) has an LD50 of 3.0g/Kg. This means that table salt is almost 6 times more toxic than Biodiesel.
   
   Aquatic Impacts
   In an aquatic environment, Biodiesel is 15 times less toxic to common species of fish than diesel fuel.
   
   Biodegradability
   In both soil and water, Biodiesel degraded at a rate 4 times faster than regular diesel fuel, with nearly 80% of the carbon in the fuel being readily converted by soil and water borne organisms in as little as 28 days.