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Get
the facts on Biodiesel.
Below are some common false impressions about biodiesel.
Myth: A low-blend of soy biodiesel in petroleum diesel
fuel costs too much.
Fact: Using a 2 percent blend of biodiesel is estimated
to increase the cost of diesel by 2 or 3 cents per gallon,
including the fuel, transportation, storage and blending costs.
Any increase in cost will be accompanied by an increase in
fuel quality since low-blend levels of biodiesel greatly enhance
lubricity of petroleum diesel fuel.
Myth: Biodiesel does not perform as well as petroleum
diesel.
Fact: One of the major advantages of biodiesel is that
it can be used in existing engines and fuel injection equipment
with little impact on operating performance. In more than
30 million miles of in-field demonstrations, B20's fuel consumption,
horsepower, torque and haulage rates were similar to those
of conventional petroleum.
Myth: Biodiesel doesn't perform well in cold weather.
Fact: Biodiesel performs equally with a #2 diesel fuel
in terms of its propensity to gel in cold weather.
Myth: No objective biodiesel fuel formulation standard
exists.
Fact: The biodiesel industry has been active in setting
standards for biodiesel since 1994, when the first biodiesel
taskforce was formed within the American Society for Testing
Materials (ASTM). ASTM approved a provisional standard for
biodiesel in July of 1999.
Myth: The United States lacks the infrastructure to
prevent shortages of biodiesel.
Fact: There are 13 companies that have invested millions
of dollars in the development of the biodiesel manufacturing
plants actively marketing biodiesel. Based on current data,
more than 200 million gallons of biodiesel capacity currently
exists. Many facilities are capable of doubling their production
capacity within 18 months.
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