Intro
Biodiesel is a diesel replacement fuel made from natural, renewable sources such as new and used vegetable oils and animal fats. Just like petroleum diesel, biodiesel operates in compression-ignition engines. Blends of up to 20% biodiesel (mixed with petroleum diesel fuels) can be used in nearly all diesel engines and are compatible with most storage and distribution equipment. Pure biodiesel (B100) transportation and storage requires special management.

Fuel sources
Biodiesel is general produced from renewable oil sources. Used cooking oils, vegetable oils, waste or recycled oils, and animal fats are all potential fuel sources for biodiesel.

Fuel production technology
Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterfication whereby the glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil. Two products are produced in the process - Methyl esters (the chemical name for biodiesel) and glycerin. Glycerin is used for a number of purposes including soap, nitroglycerin, conserving fruit, a base for lotions, anti-freeze for hydraulic jacks, lubricant for molds, cake and candy making, and is used in some printing inks.

In this process the vegetable oil or animal fat reacts with an alcohol, typically methanol, and a catalyst, like lye (which helps the reaction take place). After the reaction, the components are separated.

Engine Technology
Low-level biodiesel blends (20% and less) generally do not require any engine modifications. Higher blends, even pure biodiesel (100% biodiesel, or B100), may be able to be used in some engines (built since 1994) with little or no modification.

Toltec provides services in several facets of biodiesel production, distribution, and use. Services include:

• Biodiesel plant process engineering
• Testing and optimization
• Energy efficiency in the production of biodiesel
  • Provides economic method for testing new feed stocks
  • Energy predictions based on small scale tests
• Fleet vehicle analysis and selection