User:Stainless316/Sandbox

Biodiesel lead section

WP:Lead section: "The lead should be able to stand alone as a concise overview of the article. It should establish context, summarize the most important points, explain why the subject is interesting or notable, and briefly describe its notable controversies, if there are any."

The following is what I think should be in the lead section. if everyone agrees, we could then figure out how best to get it in. I stress that this is not the form it should take, but the main points to include. Once the points to include are agreed, then the form will be relatively easy to complete. Hopefully, if we have consensus on what to include, the section will be robust when completed. Feel free to say what should or should not be included, and if my definition is correct.

What Biodiesel is

It refers in this article ONLY to transesterified triglycerides. Other forms of biofuel are covered elsewhere. Biodiesel is used as a replacement for petrodiesel, which is used in engines, and Heating oil, which is used in heaters.

Where it comes from

Biodiesel can be made from the triglyceride part of any fat or oil, from vegetable oil, animal fats and algal oil (is algal oil vegetable oil? Algae are not plants.) Different scources give slightly different properties, e.g. higher gel point for animal fats. If it comes from anywhere else, then it is not biodiesel according to the definition.

Why use it?

As I see it, there are three reasons. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy security and help local farmers. It is also biodegradeable and non-toxic, so oil spills are not a problem. It seems to be pretty generally agreed that biodiesel can be made to produce less CO2 than petrodiesel, but the estimates of the savings vary. It is probably also agreed that equatorial forest clearance to put in new palm oil plantations produces more CO2 than petrodiesel. Energy security is improved, as the other energy inputs (fertilizer etc.) can be made from non-petroluem sources, e.g. coal or other renewables. In fact the US NREL says that energy security is the number one driving force behind the US biofuels programme. (p8 (p14 including initial pages) of[[1]] Any subsidies will help local farmers, but I think this is less of an issue then with corn ethanol.

Why not use it?

Possible increased greenhouse gas production due to land use issues. Different properties from diesel, e.g. solvent properties, gel point, water content, biological contamination. Possible damage to engine. Displacement of food crops leading to increased food prices. Cost.

Where can it be used?

In blends with 95% diesel, almost all diesel engines. In other stronger blends, gaining acceptance in blends up to 100% biodiesel, similarly for heating boilers. Has been demonstrated in locomotives and airoplanes.

How much is there?

What is current production compared to diesel fuel.

New lead section incorporating above points

Biodiesel refers to a non-petroleum based fuel consisting of short chain alkyl (methyl or ethyl) fatty acid esters, made by transesterification of triglycerides from vegetable oil, animal fat or algal oil. Biodiesel is used as a replacement for petrodiesel in engines, and heating oil in heaters. It can be used alone or as blends with petroleum derived fuel. Biodiesel is distinguished from the straight vegetable oil (SVO) (aka "waste vegetable oil", "WVO", "unwashed biodiesel", "pure plant oil", "PPO") used (alone, or blended) as fuels in some converted diesel vehicles. "Biodiesel" is standardized as mono-alkyl esters and other non-diesel fuels of biological origin are not included.

Biodiesel has slightly different properties from petrodiesel. It has a higher gel point, can allow the growth of molds and bacteria and has different solvent properties, which can corrode older rubber components and dislodge diesel varnishes which have built up in engines and heaters. Experience suggests that these problems are minor, but most engines today have been designed for use with petrodiesel, so the use of a different fuel raises some concerns among manufacturers. In blends up to 20% there is very widespread acceptance for use in motor vehicles, and its use in locomotives and aeroplanes has been demonstrated. Use of 100% biodiesel is widespread in Germany with no apparent major problems.

One impetus for its use is to reduce greenhouse gas emmissions from fossil fuels. There is debate over the size of the greenhouse gas reduction and this will depend on the choice of feedstock and method of calculation used. Recently published figures vary from 75% [[2]] to 15% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions when compared to petroleum diesel.. However, these estimates do not consider land conversion, where natural land is converted to agricultural use. Greenhouse gas emissions could be higher than that of petrodiesel when these factors are taken into account. [[3]] [[4]] Even if biodiesel is grown from sustainable sources, there is concern that using land to grow non-food crops will push up food prices. Fuel security is another major driver for its use, since much of the energy inputs can be derived from non-petroluem, locally available sources such as coal, gas or other renewables. The the US NREL says that energy security is the number one driving force behind the US biofuels programme. (p8 (p14 including initial pages) of[[5]].

Europe is currently the largest producer of biodiesel, with Germany on its own producing 2.6 million tonnes in 2006, or nearly half of world production. Biodiesel production is currently a tiny fraction of the petrodiesel production, in 2006 it was about 1% of combined Europe and USA diesel use.

Old section

Biodiesel is distinguished from the straight vegetable oils (SVO) or waste vegetable oils (WVO) used (alone, or blended) as fuels in some diesel vehicles.

Biodiesel is biodegradable, non-toxic and may produce less greenhouse gas than petroleum based fuel. There is some debate over the size of the greenhouse gas reduction, , and reductions in emissions of smog forming hydrocarbon are 65% less, although the Nitrogen Oxide emissions are about 10% greater than those from petroleum-based diesel.. However, this estimate does not consider land conversion, where natural land is converted to agricultural use. Greenhouse gas emissions could be significantly increased if vegetable oil is sourced from new plantations . There is also concern that using land to grow non-food crops will push up food prices. Biodiesel can be made from almost any oil or fat. Currently vegetable oil is the most common feedstock, but algae could provide a useful source whilst allaying some of the environmental concerns.

Biodiesel quality is regulated by international standards and it has slightly different physical properties to petro diesel. Minor modification of engines or burners may need to be made if switching to 100% biodiesel. Some vehicle manufacturers are positive about the use of biodiesel, citing lower engine wear as one of the fuel's benefits, while others are more cautious, with between 5% and 100% allowed by different manufacturers. Most manufacturers release lists of the cars that will run on 100% biodiesel. Biodiesel has also been used on a diesel locomotive and as a heating fuel for domestic and commercial boilers.

I am assuming it is OK to go on and make this change

15000 gph?

Energy incident in Isreal = 2000kwh/m2 1kwh = 3.6 MJ, therefore 7200MJ per year per m2. 1 acre = 4047m2, Total incident radiation = 4047 x 7200 = 29 million MJ

Algea fuel 15000gpa per year. @37MJ / kg = 120 MJ / gallon (x4.25x0.85) = 15000 x 120 = 1.8 million MJ / yr.

Therefore algae uses 1.8 x 100 / 29 = 6.2% of incident radiation. This sounds unlikely to me, since PAR is about 40% of total radiation [[6]]. Howevern ot impossible, since single celled biomass can grow exponentially.

Green Chemistry section

Link to york [[7]] for superheated water.

Biodiesel production

From EEB [[8]] Europe total = 4.89 million tonnes 2006 From NBB [[9]] US total Demand 2006 = 250 million gallons, 1 US gallon = 3.36 kg (density 0.89), therefore US demand = 0.8 million tonnes From Martinot[[10]] [[11]] - total biodiesel = 6 billion litres = 5.3 million tonnes

Biodiesel production capacity is growing rapidly, with an average annual growth rate from 2002-2006 of over 40% . For the year 2006, the latest for which actual production figures could be obtained, total world biodiesel production was about 5-6 million tonnes, with 4.9 million tonnes coming from Europe (of which 2.7 million tonnes was from Germany) and most of the rest from the USA. The capacity for 2007 in Europe totalled 10.3 million tonnes. This compares with a total demand for diesel in the US and Europe of approximately 490 million tonnes (147 billion gallons)

Energy security

One of the main drivers for adoption of biodiesel is energy security. This means that a nations dependence on oil is reduced, and substituted with use of locally available sources, such as coal, gas or other renewable sources. Thus significant benefits can accrue to a country from adoption of biofuels, even without a reduction in greenhouse gas emmissiions. Whilst the total energy balance is debated, it is clear that the dependence on oil is reduced. One example is the energy used to manufacture fertilizers, which could come from a variety of sources other than petroleum. The the US NREL says that energy security is the number one driving force behind the US biofuels programme. and the White House "energy security for the 21st century" makes clear that energy security is a major reason for promoting biodiesel. The EU commission president, Jose Manuel Barroso, speaking at a recent EU biofuels conference, stressed that properly managed biofuels have the potential to reinforce the EU's security of supply through diversification of energy sources.

SAC says that three main drivers, reduced CO2, energy security and agricultural support, and emphasis varies by country. [[12]]

President G. W. Bush in 2007 said "I made the case last night to the American people that we have got to do something about our dependence on oil -- for two reasons. One, dependence on oil provides an economic and national security risk, a problem that this country better start dealing with in a serious fashion now, before it becomes acute. And second, we've got to be wise stewards of the environment, and dependency on oil makes it harder to be wise stewards of the environment." (January 24, 2007) [[13]]. Note that the environment is second, fuel security first.

World petroleu, comsumption is 83,000,000 barrels / day/. 1 barrel = 159 L. Total petroleum production is 4,000 million tonnes per year.[[14]] 1 bpd approx = 50 tonnes per year [[15]]

Convert template play

Demand will hit 118 million barrels per day (18,800,000 m³/d) from 2006's 86 million barrels (13,700,000 m³),

bit from ethanol

Production of ethanol from sugarcane (sugarcane requires a tropical climate to grow productively) returns about 8 units of energy for each unit expended compared to corn which only returns about 1.34 units of fuel energy for each unit of energy expended.

Carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, is emitted during fermentation and combustion. However, this is canceled out by the greater uptake of carbon dioxide by the plants as they grow to produce the biomass. When compared to gasoline, depending on the production method, ethanol releases less greenhouse gases.

Biodiesel energy balance / CO2 savings

Sheffield Hallam lifecycle analysis (LCA) 2003 [[16]] Summarised here[[17]] says CO2 Emissions For each MJ of biodiesel produced 0.025Kg of CO2 is released. For each MJ of fossil diesel produced 0.087Kg of CO2 is released Giving a gain of 3.48. This does NOT include land change. Energy savings trust [[18]] says generally accepted 60% reduction well to wheel. Stainless316 (talk) 13:41, 24 April 2008 (UTC)

USDA last 5 yrs USDA has spent $900 million in support of biofuels [[19]]Stainless316 (talk) 09:08, 25 April 2008 (UTC)

Well to wheel analysis european environment agency. [[20]]Stainless316 (talk) 13:29, 25 April 2008 (UTC)

Report available here: [[21]] pdf format. Biodiesel from rapeseed can give saving of 53% of GHG from petrodiesel. Stainless316 (talk) 13:29, 25 April 2008 (UTC)