[biodiesel] Ethanol vs Biodiesel: Just the Facts

Ethanol vs. Biodiesel: Just the Facts
by Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, St. Louis, MO on 07. 4.06

Reader Jacob Varghese asked yesterday "what's the difference between ethanol and biodiesel? which one is better, cheaper..." While some of us responded "Well, that's the fundamental philosophical question of our day (or, at the very least, the $64,000 question)," we decided not to go there. Instead, here are some of the facts about ethanol and biodiesel, with a few thoughts on which on might be better, depending on your transportation needs.

What are they?

Ethanol is "an alcohol product produced from corn, sorghum, potatoes, wheat, sugar cane, even biomass such as cornstalks and vegetable waste. When combined with gasoline, it increases octane levels while also promoting more complete fuel burning that reduces harmful tailpipe emissions such as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons." (Abengoa Bioenergy)

Biodiesel is "a domestic, renewable fuel for diesel engines derived from natural oils like soybean oil, and which meets the specifications of ASTM D 6751." Or, for those of you who want a more technical definition, it is "a fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats..." (National Biodiesel Board)

How are the produced?
According to the Renewable Fuels Association (the US ethanol trade organization), there are two processes for making ethanol: wet milling and dry milling. Each process is explained in detail on the RFA's site.

Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification "whereby the glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil. The process leaves behind two products -- methyl esters (the chemical name for biodiesel) and glycerin (a valuable byproduct usually sold to be used in soaps and other products). (NBB)

Which one is better for the environment?
Both forms of biofuel have definite environmental advantages over petroleum-based gasoline and diesel fuel.

According to the RFA, "Ethanol contains 35% oxygen. Adding oxygen to fuel results in more complete fuel combustion, thus reducing harmful tailpipe emissions. Ethanol also displaces the use of toxic gasoline components such as benzene, a carcinogen. Ethanol is non-toxic, water soluble and quickly biodegradable."

Biodiesel, on the other hand, "is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act. The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine results in substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter compared to emissions from diesel fuel. In addition, the exhaust emissions of sulfur oxides and sulfates (major components of acid rain) from biodiesel are essentially eliminated compared to diesel." (NBB)

Which biofuel should I use?
Unless you already own or plan to buy a vehicle with a diesel engine (which is no small feat these days), ethanol-blended gasoline is likely your best option for biofuel use. Biodiesel, however, could provide a great environmental benefit to trucking fleets, which consist almost entirely of vehicles with diesel engines.

If you're a do-it-yourselfer, though, biodiesel can be made at home -- a real DIYer can even make his/her own biodiesel reactor with open-source plans available on the Internet. Ryan Thibodaux, a political blogger, recorded his own efforts to build a reactor, buy diesel cars and actually start producing the stuff at his blog The Higher Pie

Still have questions?

A quick Google search can provide you with plenty of information on biofuels. Both the Renewable Fuels Association and the Biodiesel Board have tons of educational materials on their respective sites. And, as reader Mat pointed out, Wikipedia has extensive entries on ethanol and biodiesel.

UPDATE: In response to Mike's question below, Gristmill has a handy chart showing estimated fuel yields of certain crops. Those numbers look like they tend to favor ethanol

Biodiesel and ethanol is new issue for Indonesian. However, I think it is an alternative energy source aside from fossil diesel. Sooner or later, Indonesia has to think it when the fossil diesel resources are getting exhausted