Fuelogical - Biodiesel is defined as mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats.

Biodiesel is defined as mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats which can form to ASTM D6751 or EN14214 specifications for use in diesel engines. Bio Diesel refers to the pure fuel before blending with diesel fuel. Bio Diesel blends are denoted as, "BXX" with "XX" representing the percentage of Bio Diesel contained in the blend (ie: B20 is 20% Bio Diesel, 80% petroleum diesel)

Biodiesel, — a fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, designated B100, and meeting the requirements of ASTM D 6751 or EN14214.

Biodiesel Blend, — a blend of biodiesel fuel meeting ASTM D 6751 with petroleum-based diesel fuel, designated BXX, where XX represents the volume percentage of biodiesel fuel in the blend.

Bio Diesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification whereby the glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil and leaves behind methyl esters.

The degrading air quality in our cities further warrants the quest for alternate cleaner fuels. With the stock of fossil fuels diminishing throughout the world and demand for energy based comforts and mobility ever increasing, time is ripe that we strike a balance between energy security and energy usage. These figures compel us to search for various alternative fuels to derive energy to cater to our needs. One such promising alternative available to us is Biodiesel.

Advantage of Biodiesel:

It is a 100% domestic fuel.
It is completely biodegradable.
Based on Ames Mutagenicity tests, biodiesel provides a 90% reduction in cancer risks.
The lifecycle of production and use of biodiesel produces approximately 80% less carbon dioxide emissions, and almost 100% less sulphur dioxide. Combustion of biodiesel alone produces over a 90% reduction in total unburned hydrocarbons, and a 75-90% reduction in aromatic hydrocarbons. Biodiesel further provides significant reductions in particulates and carbon monoxide than conventional diesel fuel.
Biodiesel has the best energy balance of any liquid fuel. Every unit of energy needed to produce biodiesel results in 3.24 units of fuel energy. In contrast, petrodiesel yields 0.83 units of fuel energy for each unit of fossil energy consumed, meaning that diesel requires more energy to produce than is generated by the diesel fuel.
It needs no change in refueling infrastructures and spare part inventories.
It maintains the payload capacity and range of conventional diesel engines.
Diesel engine skilled mechanics can easily attend to biodiesel engines.
Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel that runs in any conventional, unmodified diesel engine.

Due to concerns on the availability of fossil fuel and the environmental problem caused by the use those fossil fuel, considerable attention has been going to environmentally friendly alternatives to petrodiesel. Many developed nation are producing biodiesel from Soybean oil, Canola oil, Olive oil, Sunflower oil, Palm Oil etc. This feedstock more or less may compete with food supply in the long-term. Hence, the current trend is to find non-edible oil as the feedstock for biodiesel production.

Jatropha – This is one of the most popular non-edible oil as it offers number of advantages over the other non-edible oils such as, Jatropha is easy to establish, grows relatively quickly and is hardy and can live over 50 years, oil yield per hectare is among the highest of tree borne oil seeds, oil content of jatropha seed is in the range from 30 to 50% by weight of the seed and ranges from 45 to 60% by weight of the kernel itself. Jatropha is being considered as one of the most promising oil source to produce biodiesel in Asia, Africa and Europe.

Other Feedstock - At present, due to concern on global warming, more emphasis is also going towards the energy from the waste to avoid their environmental impact related to disposal. Waste cooking oil and animal fats are considered sustainable feedstock for biodiesel.