PRODUCTS

Biodiesel is a domestic, renewable fuel for use in diesel engines that is derived from natural vegetable oils and animal fats. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but can be used in any concentration with petroleum-based diesel fuel in existing diesel engines with no major modification. Biodiesel is produced by a simple refining process called transesterification which removes glycerin from the vegetable oil or animal fat. The process leaves two products - methyl esters (the chemical used for biodiesel) and glycerin.

Used in conventional engines, pure biodiesel (B100) has been shown to reduce emissions of total unburned hydrocarbons by as much as 70%, total carbon monoxide and other particulate matter by almost 50%. Sulfur emissions are essentially eliminated altogether. The use of Biodiesel also significantly reduces health risks associated with petroleum diesel.

The EPA has surveyed the large body of biodiesel emissions studies published over the past several years and averaged the Health Effects testing results. Their findings show biodiesel emissions exhibit dramatically decreased levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nPAH), which have been identified as potential cancer causing compounds. In the Health Effects testing PAH compounds were reduced by 75% to 85%. Targeted nPAH compounds were reduced by 90% to 99%. These reductions in the carcinogens are also realized in blends as low as B20 (a mixture of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel.)

In May 2000, biodiesel became the only alternative fuel in the country that successfully completed the Tier I and Tier II Health Effects testing required under the Clean Air Act. These results clearly demonstrate the significant reductions in most currently regulated emissions that can be achieved by using biodiesel, as well as biodiesels non-toxic effect on health.