Page 21 - Plastics News September 2017

FEATURES

Properties: commissioned by the National Biodiesel Board, reported

the 2011 production of biodiesel supported 39,027 jobs and
Biodiesel has promising lubricating properties and cetane
more than $2.1 billion in household income in the United
ratings compared to low sulfur diesel fuels. Depending on
States. The growth in biodiesel also helps signifi cantly
the engine, this[clarifi cation needed] might include high
increase GDP. In 2011, biodiesel created more than
pressure injection pumps, pump injectors (also called
$3 billion in GDP. Judging by the continued growth in
unit injectors) and fuel injectors. The calorifi c value
the Renewable Fuel Standard and the extension of the
of biodiesel is about 37.27 MJ/kg. This is 9% lower than
regular Number 2 petrodiesel. Variations in biodiesel biodiesel tax incentive, the number of jobs can increase
to 50,725, $2.7 billion in income, and reaching $5 billion
energy density is more dependent on the feedstock used
than the production process. Still, these variations are in GDP by 2012 and 2013.
less than for petrodiesel. It has been claimed biodiesel Energy security
gives better lubricity and more complete combustion
One of the main drivers for adoption of biodiesel is
thus increasing the engine energy output and partially
energy security. This means that a nation's dependence
compensating for the higher energy density of petrodiesel.
on oil is reduced, and substituted with use of locally
The color of biodiesel ranges from golden to dark brown,
available sources, such as coal, gas, or renewable sources.
depending on the production method. It is slightly
Thus a country can benefi t from adoption of biofuels,
miscible with water, has a high boiling point and low vapor
without a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. While
pressure. *The fl ash point of biodiesel (>130 °C, >266 °F)
the total energy balance is debated, it is clear that the
is signifi cantly higher than that of petroleum diesel (64
dependence on oil is reduced. One example is the energy
°C, 147 °F) or gasoline (−45 °C, −52 °F). Biodiesel has a
used to manufacture fertilizers, which could come from a
density of ~ 0.88 g/cm³, higher than petrodiesel ( ~ 0.85
variety of sources other than petroleum. The US National
g/cm³). Biodiesel contains virtually no sulfur,[54] and it is
Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) states that energy
often used as an additive to Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD)
security is the number one driving force behind the US
fuel to aid with lubrication, as the sulfur compounds in
biofuels programme and a White House "Energy Security
petrodiesel provide much of the lubricity.
for the 21st Century" paper makes it clear that energy
Material compatibility security is a major reason for promoting biodiesel.
Plastics:High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is compatible Environmental effects
but polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is slowly degraded. Polystyrene
The surge of interest in biodiesels has highlighted a
is dissolved on contact with biodiesel.
number of environmental effects associated with its
Metals: Biodiesel (like methanol) has an effect on copper-
use. These potentially include reductions in greenhouse
based materials (e.g. brass), and it also affects zinc, tin,
gas emissions, deforestation, pollution and the rate of
lead, and cast iron.[5] Stainless steels (316 and 304) and
biodegradation. According to the EPA's Renewable Fuel
aluminum are unaffected.
Standards Program Regulatory Impact Analysis, released in
Rubber: Biodiesel also affects types of natural rubbers February 2010, biodiesel from soy oil results, on average,
found in some older engine components. Studies have in a 57% reduction in greenhouse gases compared to
also found that fl uorinated elastomers (FKM) cured with petroleum diesel, and biodiesel produced from waste
peroxide and base-metal oxides can be degraded when grease results in an 86% reduction.
biodiesel loses its stability caused by oxidation. Commonly
However, environmental organizations, for example,
used synthetic rubbers FKM- GBL-S and FKM- GF-S found
Rainforest Rescueand Greenpeace criticize the cultivation
in modern vehicles were found to handle biodiesel in all
of plants used for biodiesel production, e.g., oil palms,
conditions.
soybeans and sugar cane. They say the deforestation of
Economic impact rainforests exacerbates climate change and that sensitive
Multiple economic studies have been performed regarding ecosystems are destroyed to clear land for oil palm,
the economic impact of biodiesel production. One study, soybean and sugar cane plantations.

21 September 2017 | Plastics News