Rising Diesel Prices Could Lead Farmers to Bio Alternatives

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June 23, 2022

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by Connor Veenstra (Huron Daily Tribune) … However, an alternative exists for farmers, though it’s not widely used — biodiesel, made from plants and animals.

According to Houston Biodiesel, it’s slightly cheaper than regular diesel, at $5.76 per gallon, as of June 16. However, it could turn into a long-term alternative for farmers in the current economy.

“If we see prices like this last long term, I could see alternatives being used,” Herford said. “Everything needs to be economical.”

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Biodiesel is a liquid fuel often referred to as B100 or neat biodiesel in its pure, unblended form. Like petroleum diesel, biodiesel is used to fuel compression-ignition engines. See the table for biodiesel’s physical characteristics.

Biodiesel performance in cold weather depends on the blend of biodiesel, the feedstock, and the petroleum diesel characteristics. In general, blends with smaller percentages of biodiesel perform better in cold temperatures. Typically, regular No. 2 diesel and B5 perform about the same in cold weather.

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Both biodiesel and No. 2 diesel have some compounds that crystallize in very cold temperatures. In winter weather, fuel blenders and suppliers combat crystallization by adding a cold flow improver. For the best cold-weather performance, users should work with their fuel provider to ensure the blend is appropriate. READ MORE

What’s the Difference between Biodiesel and Renewable (Green) Diesel? 2020 revision (Advanced Biofuels USA)

How to De-Fossilize Your Fleet: Suggestions for Fleet Managers Working on Sustainability Programs (Advanced Biofuels USA)

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