Increase in petroleum prices, threat of global warming has
generated an interest in developing alternative fuels for
engine. Technologies now focusing on development of plant
based fuels, plant oils, plant fats as an alternative fuel.
Biodiesel is described as fuel comprised of mono-alkyl
esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils
or animal fats. Biodiesel and ethanol can be produced from
feedstock’s that are generally considered to be renewable.
Since the carbon in the biodiesel originated mostly from
CO2 in the air, the full cycle CO2 emissions for biodiesel
contribute much less to global warming than fossil fuels.
Although biodiesel cannot entirely replace petroleum- based
fuels, bio-fuels and diesel fuel blends can be used on
existing engines to achieve both environmental and energy
benefits. Ethanol is a low cost oxygenate with high oxygen
content (35%) that has been used in ethanol–diesel fuel
blends.