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The main benefits of biodiesel are increased energy self-sufficiency for importing countries, increased demand for domestic agricultural products, biodegradability and improved air quality, particularly lower sulphur emissions than from fossil fuels. Exhaust emission improvements include substantial reductions in carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and particulates, although the production of nitrogen gases is similar to regular diesel fuel. Under conditions of increasing demand for diesel, partial substitution of biodiesel for petroleum diesel or blending of the two would help to stabilize the release of greenhouse gases.
Reduced emissions make biodiesel suitable for use in major cities where air pollution is a problem. Also, its lower emissions make biodiesel suitable for use in confined areas such as mines where ventilation is a concern.
Pure biodiesel has low aquatic toxicity and is completely biodegradable in about 30 days. This characteristic substantially reduces the impact of accidental spills and makes it ideal for use in environmentally sensitive areas, including inland waterways. When biodiesel is blended with regular diesel fuel, biodegradation is accelerated to about three times the normal rate of diesel fuel.
Europe, the United States, New Zealand and Canada have conducted extensive tests of biodiesel in trucks, cars, locomotives, buses, tractors and small boats. Testing has included the use of pure biodiesel and various blends with conventional diesel. Results indicate reduced engine wear while performance remains virtually unchanged. Many tests have concluded that the best overall results are obtained with a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent conventional diesel.
Although biodiesel is cleaner-burning, some anticipate that this advantage will diminish as progress is made in reducing emissions and increasing the efficiency of combustion from petroleum based diesel fuel. Biodiesel is also competing with other ëcleaní alternative energy sources such as electricity, propane and natural gas in some applications.
A secondary benefit of biodiesel production is that it creates more employment as it is three to six times more labour intensive per unit of production than fossil fuels
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