A CLEAN BURNING ALTERNATIVE FUEL FROM

RENEWABLE RESOURCES
Biodiesel is a renewable alternative fuel created from
vegetable oils, animal fats, and greases through a
chemical process. The chemical process involves reaction
of natural oils with an alcohol, and then refining the
mixture to create molecules which can be easily burned
in a diesel engine. Biodiesel fuel can be used in any
diesel engine in pure form or blended with petroleum
diesel at any level. Even a blend of 20% bio- and 80%
petroleum diesel will significantly reduce carcinogenic
emissions and gases that may contribute to global
warming. Glycerin is the byproduct of the biodiesel
production process, and can be used in personal care
products or a variety of chemical applications.

Per a recent market study, the production and use of

biodiesel fuel promises to bring $24 billion to the U.S.
economy between 2005 and 2015, assuming biodiesel
growth reaches 650 million gallons of annual production
per year by 2015.1 This study also projected:

Biodiesel production will create 39,102 new jobs in

all sectors of the economy.
Additional tax revenues from biodiesel production
will more than pay for the federal tax in

centives provided to the

industry, keeping $13.6 billion in the U.S. that would
otherwise be spent on foreign oil.
AT IS BIODIESEL
Biodiesel is a clean burning renewable fuel made
using natural vegetable oils and fats.
Biodiesel is made through a chemical process which
converts oils and fats of natural origin into fatty acid
methyl esters (FAME). Biodiesel IS NOT vegetable oil.
Biodiesel is intended to be used as a replacement for
petroleum diesel fuel, or can be blended with
petroleum diesel fuel in any proportion.
Biodiesel does not require modifications to a diesel
engine to be used.
Biodiesel has reduced exhaust emissions compared
to petroleum diesel fuel.
Biodiesel has lower toxicity compared to petroleum
diesel fuel.
Biodiesel is safer to handle compared to petroleum
diesel fuel.
Biodiesel quality is governed by ASTM D 6751 quality
parameters.
Biodiesel is biodegradable.
What is NOT Biodiesel
Look Carefully! Many companies and groups improperly
use the word biodiesel to describe diesel fuel
replacement products they have developed. This creates
significant confusion for consumers looking to purchase
and use biodiesel. Some of these alternatives have not
been properly tested and could lead to damage to
vehicles. Below is some information to help distinguish
real biodiesel from imposters.
What biodiesel IS NOT:

Biodiesel is not vegetable oil.

 Biodiesel is not vegetable oil diluted with solvents,
i.e. diesel fuel or alcohols.
Biodiesel is not vegetable oil with special additives
to make it run better.
Biodiesel is not vegetable oil refined through a
conventional oil refinery process.
Biodiesel is not vegetable oil refined through thermal
depolymerization (renewable diesel).
Biodiesel is not a fuel that requires costly
modifications to your diesel engine (straight
vegetable oil).
Biodiesel is not crude methyl esters which have not
been refined or minimally refined.

Unlike biodiesel, none of the fluids listed above have

undergone renewable fuel certification, emissions or
toxicity testing, or long-term reliability testing in engines
and vehicles.

How to Make Sure You are Getting

Biodiesel
In order to be called biodiesel and receive certain tax
credits specifically intended for biodiesel:

Biodiesel must be produced from naturally occurring

fats and oils using transesterification.
Biodiesel must be composed of fatty acid methyl
esters.
Biodiesel must be refined to remove all trace
impurities.
Biodiesel must meet the ASTM standard D6751-07b
Specification for Biodiesel (B100).

If a fuel product does not meet these requirements it IS

NOT biodiesel, and does not qualify for tax credits
relating to biodiesel. The most important thing to ask
your fuel provider is if the biodiesel is ASTM certified.

REQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are biodiesel and vegetable oil the same thing?
No, biodiesel is produced through a chemical process
called transesterification which converts oils and fats of
natural origin into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME).
Combustion of vegetable oil without conversion to
biodiesel will lead to soot accumulation and deposits that
may lead to power loss and engine failure. See what is
biodiesel.
What is in biodiesel?
Biodiesel is made through a chemical reaction between
natural oils and alcohol, followed by purification.
Biodiesel can be made from nearly any naturally
occurring vegetable oil or fat. The most frequently used
oils by Pacific Biodiesel facilities are used cooking oil,
tallow, yellow grease, poultry grease, cottonseed oil, and
soybean oil.
Learn more about what biodiesel is here.
Learn about biodiesel and sustainability here.
Learn more about the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance here.
Do I need to do any modifications to my diesel
vehicle to use biodiesel?
If your car was made after 1993, the answer is no. If your
car was made prior to 1993, the rubber fuel lines will
probably have to be replaced. One of the major
advantages of using biodiesel is the fact that it can be
used in existing diesel engines without negative impacts
to operating performance. Biodiesel is the only
alternative fuel for heavyweight vehicles that does not
require any special injection or storage modifications.
DOE Biodiesel Handling and Use Guidelines
Can I run biodiesel in my gasoline engine?
No, biodiesel can only run in conventional compression-
ignition (diesel) engines!
Can I go back and forth between petroleum diesel
and biodiesel?
Yes, you can use biodiesel and diesel fuel
interchangeably, as well as blended.
Will I need to change my fuel filters more often
when using biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a solvent. It will clear many diesel deposits
that have accumulated in your fuel tank. This may cause
initial fuel filter clogging but continued use of biodiesel
will not cause an increased frequency of filter changes.
How does the fuel efficiency of biodiesel compare
with petrodiesel?
Vehicles running on biodiesel get virtually the same MPG
rating as vehicles running on petrodiesel. Learn more.
Is biodiesel good for my engine?
Yes, biodiesel can actually extend the life of your engine.
Biodiesel has superior lubricating properties that reduce
the wear of vital engine parts.
How do the emissions of biodiesel and petrodiesel
differ?
Using biodiesel instead of petrodiesel will significantly
reduce unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and
particulate matter from tail pipe emissions. It will also
virtually eliminate sulfur oxides and sulfates which are
major contributors to acid rain. Nitrogen oxide emissions
may slightly increase, but can be remedied with newer
low-emission diesel engines. Learn more.
Where can I find biodiesel in my state?
A complete list of fueling stations that carry biodiesel can
be found by clicking here.
Does biodiesel contain diesel fuel?
Pure biodiesel, B100 (100% biodiesel) does not contain
petrodiesel. Biodiesel can be blended with petrodiesel
and is frequently sold as B20 (20% biodiesel, 80%
petrodiesel blend) or B5 (5% biodiesel, 95% petrodiesel
blend).
Biodiesel
What is Biodiesel
 Frequently Asked Questions
History of Biodiesel Fuel
Biodiesel Benefits Why Use Biodiesel?
Sustainability
Used Cooking Oil from your home can also be
recycled!
We want to create a closed-loop in the community.
Eventually we want to work with the renderers to collect
all the yellow grease from local restaurants. Then were
going to buy that processed oil and sell it back to the
community it came from.
Richard Gillis, Energy Alternative Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2017 Pacific Biodiesel

HISTORY OF BIODIESEL FUEL

Developed in the 1890s by inventor Rudolph Diesel, the
diesel engine has become the engine of choice for power,
reliability, and high fuel economy, worldwide. Early
experimenters on vegetable oil fuels included the French
government and Dr. Diesel himself, who envisioned that
pure vegetable oils could power early diesel engines for
agriculture in remote areas of the world, where
petroleum was not available at the time. Modern
biodiesel fuel, which is made by converting vegetable oils
into compounds called fatty acid methyl esters, has its
roots in research conducted in the 1930s in Belgium, but
todays biodiesel industry was not established in Europe
until the late 1980s.

The diesel engine was developed out of a desire to

improve upon inefficient, cumbersome and sometimes
dangerous steam engines of the late 1800s. The diesel
engine works on the principal of compression ignition, in
which fuel is injected into the engines cylinder after air
has been compressed to a high pressure and
temperature. As the fuel enters the cylinder it self-ignites
and burns rapidly, forcing the piston back down and
converting the chemical energy in the fuel into
mechanical energy. Dr. Rudolph Diesel, for which the
engine is named, holds the first patent for the
compression ignition engine, issued in 1893. Diesel
became known worldwide for his innovative engine which
could use a variety of fuels.

Early Work
The early diesel engines had complex injection systems
and were designed to run on many different fuels, from
kerosene to coal dust. It was only a matter of time before
someone recognized that, because of their high energy
content, vegetable oils would make excellent fuel. The
first public demonstration of vegetable oil based diesel
fuel was at the 1900 Worlds Fair, when the French
government commissioned the Otto company to build a
diesel engine to run on peanut oil. The French
government was interested in vegetable oils as a
domestic fuel for their African colonies. Rudolph Diesel
later did extensive work on vegetable oil fuels and
became a leading proponent of such a concept, believing
that farmers could benefit from providing their own fuel.
However, it would take almost a century before such an
idea became a widespread reality. Shortly after Dr.
Diesels death in 1913 petroleum became widely
available in a variety of forms, including the class of fuel
we know today as diesel fuel. With petroleum being
available and cheap, the diesel engine design was
changed to match the properties of petroleum diesel fuel.
The result was an engine which was fuel efficient and
very powerful. For the next 80 years diesel engines would
become the industry standard where power, economy
and reliability are required.

Modern Engine, Modern Fuel

Due to the widespread availability and low cost of
petroleum diesel fuel, vegetable oil-based fuels gained
little attention, except in times of high oil prices and
shortages. World War II and the oil crises of the 1970s
saw brief interest in using vegetable oils to fuel diesel
engines. Unfortunately, the newer diesel engine designs
could not run on traditional vegetable oils, due to the
much higher viscosity of vegetable oil compared to
petroleum diesel fuel. A way was needed to lower the
viscosity of vegetable oils to a point where they could be
burned properly in the diesel engine. Many methods have
been proposed to perform this task, including pyrolysis,
blending with solvents, and even emulsifying Sovaldi the
fuel with water or alcohols, none of which have provided
a suitable solution. It was a Belgian inventor in 1937 who
first proposed using transesterification to convert
vegetable oils into fatty acid alkyl esters and use them as
a diesel fuel replacement. The process of
transesterification converts vegetable oil into three
smaller molecules which are much less viscous and easy
to burn in a diesel engine. The transesterification reaction
is the basis for the production of modern biodiesel, which
is the trade name for fatty acid methyl esters. In the
early 1980s concerns over the environment, energy
security, and agricultural overproduction once again
brought the use of vegetable oils to the forefront, this
time with transesterification as the preferred method of
producing such fuel replacements.
Biodiesel Goes Worldwide
Pioneering work in Europe and South Africa by
researchers such as Martin Mittelbach furthered
development of the biodiesel fuel industry in the early
1990s, with the U.S. industry coming on more slowly, due
to lower prices for petroleum diesel. Pacific Biodiesel
became one of the first biodiesel plants in the United
States in 1996, establishing a biodiesel production
operation to recycle used cooking oil into biodiesel on the
island Maui in Hawaii. The biodiesel industry became a
household name in the U.S. after the terrorist attacks of
9/11/2001 resulted in historically high oil prices and an
increased awareness of energy security. As of 2005,
worldwide biodiesel production had reached 1.1 billion
gallons, with most fuel being produced in the European
Union, although biodiesel projects worldwide have been
on the rise due to rising crude oil prices and concerns
over global warming.

The Future of Biodiesel Fuel

Due to its clean emissions profile, ease of use, and many
other benefits, biodiesel is quickly becoming one of the
fastest growing alternative fuels in the world. With
minimal subsidy biodiesel is cost competitive with
petroleum diesel, and millions of users have found and
enjoyed the benefits of the fuel. The future of biodiesel
lies in the worlds ability to produce renewable
feedstocks such as vegetable oils and fats to keep the
cost of biodiesel competitive with petroleum, without
supplanting land necessary for food production, or
destroying natural ecosystems in the process. Creating
biodiesel in a sustainable manner, will allow this clean,
renewable, and cost effective fuel to help ease the world
through increasing shortages of petroleum, while
providing economic and environmental benefits well into
the 21st century.

BIODIESEL BENEFITS WHY USE BIODIESEL?

The smartest technologies deliver benefits to multiple
interests, including improved economy, and a positive
impact on the environment and governmental policies.

The role of the biodiesel industry is not to replace

petroleum diesel, but to help create a balanced energy
policy with the most benefit to the United States.
Biodiesel is one of several alternative fuels designed to
 extend the usefulness of petroleum, and the longevity
and cleanliness of diesel engines.

The ultimate goal is to contribute to building a stronger,

more self-sufficient community by way of a community-
based biodiesel production model. A community-based
biodiesel distribution program benefits local economies,
from the farmers growing the feedstock to local
businesses producing and distributing the fuel to the end
consumer. The money stays in the community while
reducing impact on the local environment and increasing
energy security.

Learn More
The links below provide more in depth information on the
benefits of biodiesel.

Easy To Use
No vehicle modifications or special fueling equipment
just pump and go.
Power, Performance and Economy
Proven performance and economy make biodiesel a
renewable winner.
Emissions & Greenhouse Gas Reduction
With lower exhaust emissions biodiesel is helping to
reduce pollution and improve health. Lower CO2
emissions help reduce the impacts of global warming.
Energy Balance & Security
Biodiesel production and use at home, biodiesel helps
reduce the need for foreign oil.
Toxicity, Biodegradability, Safety & Recycling
Less toxic than table salt, biodiesel has minimal
environmental impact. With a high flash point, biodiesel
is safer to handle and store than petroleum diesel. When
 made from used oils and fats, biodiesel helps ensure
proper recycling of former waste products.
Economic Development
Biodiesel helps communities by keeping energy dollars at
home.

Easy to Use
One of the great advantages of biodiesel is that it can be
used in existing engines, vehicles and infrastructure with
practically no changes. Biodiesel can be pumped, stored
and burned just like petroleum diesel fuel, and can be
used pure, or in blends with petroleum diesel fuel in any
proportion. Power and fuel economy using biodiesel is
practically identical to petroleum diesel fuel, and year
round operation can be achieved by blending with diesel
fuel.

DOE Biodiesel Handling and Use Guidelines

Engine and Vehicles

All diesel engines and vehicles can use biodiesel or
biodiesel blends. Certain older vehicles built before 1993
may require replacement of fuel lines which contain
natural rubber, as biodiesel can cause these lines to swell
or crack.

Blending and Switching with Diesel Fuel

Biodiesel can be used 100% (B100) or in blends with
petroleum diesel fuel. Blends are indicated by B##,
which correspond to the percentage of biodiesel in the
blended fuel. For example, a 20% blend of biodiesel with
80% diesel fuel is called B20. When biodiesel is first used
in a vehicle, it may release fuel tank deposits which can
lead to fuel filter plugging. After this initial period, a user
can switch between biodiesel and petroleum diesel
whenever needed or desired, without modification.

Availability
The presence of biodiesel pumps at fueling stations
across the country grows daily. To find sources of
biodiesel near you, click here.

Power, Performance and Economy

I want my MPG!
Many alternative fuels have difficulty gaining acceptance
because they do not provide similar performance to their
petroleum counterparts. Pure biodiesel and biodiesel
blended with petroleum diesel fuel provide very similar
horsepower, torque, and fuel mileage compared to
petroleum diesel fuel. In its pure form, typical biodiesel
will have an energy content 5%-10% lower than typical
petroleum diesel. However it should be noted that
petroleum diesel fuel energy content can vary as much
as 15% from one supplier to the next. The lower energy
content of biodiesel translates into slightly reduced
performance when biodiesel is used in 100% form,
although users typically report little noticeable change in
mileage or performance. When blended with petroleum
diesel at B20 levels, there is less than 2% change in fuel
energy content, with users typically reporting no
noticeable change in mileage or economy.

Superior Lubrication for Your Engine

The injection system of many diesel engines relies on the
fuel to lubricate its parts. The degree to which fuel
provides proper lubrication is its lubricity. Low lubricity
petroleum diesel fuel can cause premature failure of
injection system components and decreased
performance. Biodiesel provides excellent lubricity to the
fuel injection system. Recently, with the introduction of
low sulfur and ultra low sulfur diesel fuel, many of the
compounds which previously provided lubricating
properties to petrodiesel fuel have been removed. By
blending biodiesel in amounts as little as 5%, the lubricity
of ultra low sulfur diesel can be dramatically improved,
and the life of an engines fuel injection system
extended.

Biodiesel in Cold Weather

Just like petroleum diesel fuel, biodiesel can gel in cold
weather. The best way to use biodiesel during the colder
months is to blend it with winterized diesel fuel.

Emissions & Greenhouse Gas

reduction
Emissions
Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to successfully
complete the EPAs rigorous emissions and health effects
study under the Clean Air Act. Biodiesel provides
significantly reduced emissions of carbon monoxide,
particulate matter, unburned hydrocarbons, and sulfates
compared to petroleum diesel fuel. Additionally, biodiesel
reduces emissions of carcinogenic compounds by as
much as 85% compared with petrodiesel. When blended
with petroleum diesel fuel, these emissions reductions
are generally directly proportional to the amount of
biodiesel in the blend.

Close Contact Benefits from the French Fry Fuel

The reduced particulate and unburned hydrocarbons
emissions that result when using biodiesel are a welcome
relief in environments where workers and pedestrians are
in close proximity to diesel engines, including public
transport, mining, and construction. In addition, when
high blends of biodiesel are used, the exhaust from diesel
engines is often described as smelling like fried food,
which aside from causing increased hunger in those
nearby, is a welcome relief from the smell of diesel fuel
exhaust.

A Clean Alternative Fuel for New and Old Engines

Diesel engines have long had a reputation of being
dirty engines. However, with the advent of newer diesel
engines equipped with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR),
particulate filters, and catalytic converters, clean diesel
technology provides incredible fuel efficiency with ultra
low emissions levels. When coupled with the use of
biodiesel, both new and old diesel engines can
significantly reduce emissions, including particulate
matter (black smoke).

A Closer Look at Emissions Reduction

Studies on biodiesel emissions have been conducted for
almost 20 years. In that time biodiesel has undergone the
most rigorous testing of any alternative fuel, having been
the first and only fuel to be evaluated by the EPA under
the Clean Air Act Section 211(b). This study examined the
impact of hundreds of regulated and non-regulated
exhaust emissions, as well as the potential health effects
 of these emissions. Some of these results are
summarized below.

Average Exhaust Emissions for 100% Biodiesel Compared to

Petroleum Diesel Fuel*
Regulated Exhaust Emissions B100
Particulate Matter -47%
Carbon Monoxide -48%
Total Unburned Hydrocarbons -67%
Nitrogen Oxides +/-
Non Regulated Emissions
Sulfates -100%
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) -80%
Nitrated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (nPAH) -90%
Speciated Hydrocarbons Ozone Forming Potential -50%

4 A Comprehensive Analysis of Biodiesel Impacts on Exhaust Emissions,

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/models/analysis/biodsl/p02001.pdf (This
document requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, click here to download the
latest version.

Explanation of Emission Types

Particulate Matter (Black Smoke)

Emissions of particulate matter have been linked to
respiratory diseases and are generally considered to be a
human health hazard. Emissions of particulate matter are
reduced with biodiesel by 47%.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide is a poisonous gas. Reduced with
biodiesel by 48%.
 Total Unburned Hydrocarbons
Compounds which contribute to localized formation of
smog. Reduced with biodiesel by 67%.
Nitrogen Oxides
Compounds which contribute to localized formation of
smog. According to NREL (Biodiesel Handling and Use
Guidelines 2009 revision) examination of the NOx testing
results shows that the effect of biodiesel can vary with
engine design, calibration, and test cycle. At this time,
the data are insufficient for users to conclude anything
about the average effect of B20 on NOx, other than that
it is likely very close to zero.
Sulfates
Sulfates are major contributors to acid rain. These
emissions are practically eliminated when using
biodiesel.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH and
nPAH)
These compounds have been identified as carcinogenic
(cancer causing) compounds. Biodiesel reduces
emissions of these compounds by up to 85% for PAH
compounds and 90% for nPAH compounds.
Speciated Hydrocarbons
These compounds contribute to the formation of localized
smog and ozone. The potential for smog formation from
speciated hydrocarbons is reduced by 50% when using
biodiesel.
Life Cycle Reduction of CO2

Biodiesel helps reduce the risk of global warming by

reducing net carbon emissions to the atmosphere. When
biodiesel is burned, it releases carbon dioxide to the
atmosphere, but crops which are used to produce
biodiesel take up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in
their growth cycle. A joint study conducted by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of
Energy determined that biodiesel reduces net carbon
dioxide emissions to the atmosphere by 78.5% compared
with petroleum diesel fuel.3

3 Information from http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy98/24089.pdf

Energy Balance and Security

Energy Balance

The energy balance of a fuel is a ratio of how much

energy is required to produce, refine and distribute the
fuel compared to the amount of energy the fuel releases
when it is burned. This property is used to determine how
renewable a fuel is. A higher ratio indicates a lower
environmental impact, as less fossil energy is needed to
produce, refine and distribute the fuel. Biodiesel has a
very high energy balance compared to other alternative
fuels. A joint study found that on average biodiesel
releases 3.2 units of energy for every one unit of fossil
fuel energy used to produce it*. For comparison, diesel
fuel delivers only 0.83 units of energy for every unit of
fossil fuel energy used to produce it.

Grown, Produced and Distributed Locally

Worldwide, energy security is becoming a hot topic in

government and society. Nearly every country in the
world depends on imports of various forms of fossil fuel
energy, including oil, coal and natural gas. Without a
steady supply of affordable energy a countrys economy
grinds to a halt, with no fuel for transportation, energy to
run power plants and factories, or heat homes. Biodiesel
can improve energy security wherever it is produced in
several ways:
 Domestic Energy Crops
When crops used to produce biodiesel are grown in the
country in which the fuel is consumed, each gallon of
biodiesel displaces a gallon of imported crude oil,
reducing a countrys dependence on foreign oil supplies.
Increased Refining Capacity
Biodiesel is produced in dedicated refineries which add to
overall domestic refining capacity, eliminating the need
to import expensive finished product from other
countries.
Difficult Targets
When biodiesel is produced, distributed and used locally
in a community based model it presents a much more
difficult target for a potential terrorist attack than large
centralized facilities like oil refineries or pipelines used in
the petroleum industry.

In the United States, the biodiesel industry is supported

by the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) compliance strategy. This
legislation allows EPAct-covered fleets (federal, state and
public utility fleets) to meet their alternative fuel vehicle
purchase requirements simply by buying 450 gallons of
pure biodiesel, and burning it in new or existing diesel
vehicles in at least a 20% blend with diesel fuel. The
Congressional Budget Office and the U.S. Department of
Agriculture have confirmed that the biodiesel option is
the least-cost alternative fuel option for meeting the
Federal governments EPAct compliance requirements.
Toxicity, Biodegradability, Safety &
Recycling
Toxicity, Biodegradability, Safety & Recycling

Though it is uncommon for the average person to come

into direct contact with fuels, occasional spills do occur,
and the impact of the fuel on plants and animals must be
considered. Biodiesel has been proven to be much less
toxic than diesel fuel, and is readily biodegradable. These
attributes make it less likely to harm the environment if
an accidental spill occurred, and far less costly to repair
damage and clean up.

Less Toxic than Table Salt

Being derived from vegetable oils, biodiesel is naturally

non-toxic. The acute oral LD50 (lethal dose) of biodiesel
is more than 17.4 g/Kg. By comparison table salt (NaCl)
has an LD50 of 3.0g/Kg. This means that table salt is
almost 6 times more toxic than biodiesel.4

Aquatic Impacts

In an aquatic environment, biodiesel is 15 times less toxic

to common species of fish than diesel fuel.4

Biodegradability

In both soil and water, biodiesel degraded at a rate 4

times faster than regular diesel fuel, with nearly 80% of
the carbon in the fuel being readily converted by soil and
water borne organisms in as little as 28 day.4

*Peterson, Charles and Moller, Gregory. Biodegradability, BOD4, COD and

Toxicity of Biodiesel Fuels, University of Idaho Biodiesel Education
Program.
A Safe and Stable Fuel

Biodiesel is safer to handle than petroleum fuel because

of its low volatility. Due to the high energy content of all
liquid fuels, there is a danger of accidental ignition when
the fuel is being stored, transported, or transferred. The
possibility of having an accidental ignition is related in
part to the temperature at which the fuel will create
enough vapors to ignite, known as the flash point
temperature. The lower the flash point of a fuel is, the
lower the temperature at which the fuel can form a
combustible mixture. For example, gasoline has a flash
point of -40 F, which means that gasoline can form a
combustible mixture at temperatures as low as -40 F.
Biodiesel on the other hand has a flash point of over 266
F, meaning it cannot form a combustible mixture until it
is heated well above the boiling point of water. It is rare
that fuel is subjected to these types of conditions,
making biodiesel significantly safer to store, handle, and
transport than petroleum diesel. In fact, the National Fire
Protection Association classifies biodiesel as a non-
flammable liquid.

Recycling: Recovering Energy Resources

Biodiesel can be made from many different oils and fats,

including many waste products. Waste cooking oil,
normally disposed of or used in animal feed mixtures can
be converted to high quality biodiesel using a process
employed by companies such as Pacific Biodiesel
Technologies. The use of used cooking oils as a biodiesel
feedstock has increased their value significantly in recent
years, making proper collection and recycling of these
oils more cost effective, and lowering the volume of
these oils destined for sewers and landfills. Other low
value oils and fats which can be made into biodiesel
include yellow grease, inedible tallow, and trap grease. In
one example of the benefits of how biodiesel production
can increase recycling, the Pacific Biodiesel production
facilities in the Hawaiian islands have diverted nearly
190,000 tons of used cooking oil and grease trap waste
since they began production.
Back to top

Economic Development
Energy Dollars Stay In Communities

Since biodiesel is a fuel which can be created from locally

available resources, its production and use can provide a
host of economic benefits for local communities. The
community-based model of biodiesel production is
particularly beneficial. In this model, locally available
feedstocks are collected, converted to biodiesel, then
distributed and used within the community. This model
keeps energy dollars in the community instead of sending
them to foreign oil producers and refineries outside the
community. The peripheral benefits of this type of model
are different for each case, but can include:

Increased tax base from biodiesel production

operations.
Jobs created for feedstock farming and/or collection.
Skilled jobs created for biodiesel production and
distribution.
Income for local feedstock producers and refiners.
Sustainable Farming and Value Added Agriculture

Biodiesel feedstock can come from a variety of

agricultural crops. When these crops are grown in a
sustainable manner, using good stewardship practices,
there are long term benefits to farmers, farming
communities and the land. Many crops which yield oils
used for biodiesel production can be a beneficial rotation
for other food crops, including soybeans when used in a
traditional corn rotation, and canola when used in a
wheat rotation. Using crops in rotation can improve soil
health and reduce erosion. The overall impacts of
growing energy crops are complex, with thousands of
variables. However, the added value created for oilseed
crops by the production of biodiesel is a tangible benefit
for farming communities, and when coupled with
sustainable farming practices can provide benefits to
farming communities and the environment.

Sustainable Biodiesel Production

Since there are multiple feedstocks from which to make

biodiesel, plant operators can opt for the least expensive
feedstock currently available, if they have a multiple-
feedstock system. This flexibility makes producers less
subject to price fluctuations.

One example of this is noted by the prices of soybean oil.

Its price has doubled in recent years, and is predicted to
continue to rise according to a 2001 study by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture. The study projects a total
cash crop increase of $5.2 billion by 2010 an average
net increase to farms of $300 million per year with
soybean prices increasing 17 cents per bushel annually
over that period.
Everybody Wins

Ultimately this creates multiple beneficiaries of the

production of biodiesel. By virtue of a successful market
and feedstock flexibility, plant operators and farmers can
both continue to operate in a marketplace with increases
in revenue projected to bring $24 billion to the U.S. by
2015.

ommunity-based is Sustainable

Biodiesel production has grown rapidly worldwide due to the

numerous environmental and economic advantages this
alternative fuel can have over petroleum. Pacific Biodiesel has
been a true pioneer in this burgeoning industry from the very first
days of biodiesel production in America, contributing to and
applying advances in technology, and observing the creation of
various biodiesel business models. The source of the feedstock
that is converted into biodiesel is a crucial issue that is garnering
increased attention from the global environmental community.

Note that when the environmental, economic and social impacts

of producing one gallon of biodiesel versus another are calculated,
it is clear that not all biofuels are equal. Not all biofuels are
green or sustainable. As the industry expands, more
information has become available about the triple bottom line
effects of different biodiesel production and business models.

With more than a decade of experience, Pacific Biodiesel

continues our commitment to our community-based biodiesel
model that maximizes the advantages of smaller scale plants
utilizing feedstocks grown or collected nearby. A significantly
smaller environmental footprint can be obtained by reducing the
need for long distance shipping of feedstock to, and product from,
a biodiesel refinery. The economic advantages to the community
are maximized through local investment and ownership and the
creation of jobs, all of which keep profits in the community.
Energy dependency is currently one of the major reasons touted
for subsidizing biofuels in America, yet the U.S. biodiesel industry
still ships much of its fuel across international borders. The
community-based model, with the end product used locally,
results in ultimate energy security.

Smaller biodiesel plants are much more flexible with the types of
feedstocks they can use. Pacific Biodiesels multiple feedstock
technology creates a high quality, stable fuel supply and enables
farmers, renderers and used cooking oil collectors to utilize more
of their locally available resources. This flexibility means different
types of agricultural feedstocks can be grown in an area, utilizing
crop scenarios that may be healthier for the soil; additionally
more use can be made of secondary or fallow land, minimizing
the displacement of food crops. Smaller scale production also
precludes the use of imported oil feedstocks from recently
deforested lands, especially former rainforests, which are causing
growing concern about the environmental impacts of biodiesel.

Community-based production has helped producers become

more resilient in surviving market and price fluctuations as
consumers are more likely to support a fuel provider that directly
benefits their own community and has strong relationships with
area businesses. The concept of community-based production
begins to shape and define what is meant by sustainable biodiesel
striving to produce renewable fuel that has a positive
environmental, economic and social impact.
Pacific Biodiesel is a strong supporter of environmental groups
striving to identify sustainable biofuels production best practices
and educate the public. For more information on the issue of
sustainable biodiesel, visit the Sustainable Biodiesel
Alliance and the Roundtable On Sustainable Biofuels.

USED COOKING OILFROM YOUR HOME CAN ALSO BE RECYCLED!

On Oahu and Maui, we accept used cooking oil

from households in disposable containers.

Going Green Community Work Days

We also participate in the Going Green recycling program
which collects many different types of recyclable
materials. Going Green events take place in a different
community on both Maui and Oahu once or twice a
month. Residents can drop off their used cooking oil for
free and Pacific Biodiesel will donate $1.00/gallon to the
local high school hosting the event. Best of all, your
waste cooking oil will be recycled into renewable energy!
For a list of Going Green Events on Oahu for 2014 CLICK
HERE.

Oahu
Cooking oil can be brought to our biodiesel plant on Sand
Island for free recycling from Monday through Friday,
7:00am to 3:00 pm:

1003 Makepono St
Honolulu, HI 96819
(808) 841-2177

Maui
Cooking oil can be brought to our office in Kahului for free
recycling from Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 5:30
pm:

40 Hobron Ave.
Kahului, Maui, HI 96732
(808) 877-3144