What is Biodiesel?

Series Summary

Biodiesel is a fuel that comes from the transesterification of vegetable oils. Organic oils from soybeans, corn, or even nuts can be converted into a fuel fit for use in diesel automobile engines without any modifications. Waste oil can also be converted into biodiesel. Biodiesel emits 60% less net-lifecycle carbon dioxide than regular gasoline and 65% less smog forming hydrocarbons, however, emissions of nitrogen oxide are 10% higher in biodiesel than gasoline-derivative fuels. There is some debate whether biodiesel could solve the emission problems generally considered central in global warming caused by human technology, but as an alternative to fossil fuels and contemporary oil politics the importance of biodiesel cannot be underestimated.

In this free video series, expert producer of biodiesel Craydon Blair teaches you all about biodiesel. You will learn the chemistry behind the reaction, how biodiesel works, the benefits, how to use it, what oils can produce high quality biodiesel, and more. You will also learn how to make biodiesel at home. Craydon lets you see the costs and the work that go into producing biodiesel. He shows you step by step how to stay safe and try your hand making biodiesel. It is all here.

Video Transcript

"CRAYDON BLAIR: Hi, my name is Craydon Blair and on behalf of Expert Village and Utah Biodiesel Supply, we're going to talk a little bit about biodiesel. First thing we want to talk about is what it is. If someone was to walk up to you and say, "What in the world is biodiesel?" It's important to know what it is. First of all, it's an organic replacement to diesel fuel that could be run in any diesel vehicle, unmodified. It is completely safe to use. It is organic in nature. It can be actually ingested into the system; however, we don't recommend it. It taste kinda gross, but it is easily made. It's chemically altered vegetable oil that is altered using alcohol and a strong base such as lye, which is what we use typically to make soap. What it is not? First of all, it's not waste motor oil. It's not petroleum based. It's not transmission fluid, and it's not straight vegetable oil. It is literally modified oil such as canola, corn oil or some other oil that allows you to run it in your vehicle unmodified. The reason it's so important to our economy now is because it gives us the opportunity to power our vehicles with oil that doesn't come from overseas. In fact, it can be grown right in your own garden. We'll show you all the different things you need to know to make biodiesel today."