August 10: International Biodiesel Day

The International Biodiesel Day (IBD) is celebrated every year on August 10 in a bid to create awareness about non fossil-fuels (Green Fuels). The day also honours the research experiments by Sir Rudolf Diesel who ran an engine with peanut oil in the year of 1893. His research experiment had predicted that vegetable oil is going to replace the fossil fuels in the next century to fuel different mechanical engines.

About Biodiesel

The Biodiesel is an alternative fuel which can be used in place of fossil fuels. It is manufactured from vegetable oils, recycled grease, algae, and animal fat. It is produced through a chemical process called transesterification, in which glycerine is separated from the vegetable oil or fat. It can be seen as alternative to conventional fossil fuels.

Benefits of Biodiesel

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel. It can be used in diesel engines with little or no modification. It can be produced locally. It is biodegradable, sustainable, non-toxic environment friendly fuel. On burning, it emits 60% less carbon dioxide (CO2). The energy produced by biodiesel on combustion is approximately 90% of that of energy produced by petroleum diesel. It is also used in non-engine applications such as to remove paint etc. Byproducts–methyl esters and glycerine obtained during production of biodiesel can be used preparation of soaps and other products

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2017