Biodiesel efficiencies

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   I found this study a couple of months ago, but just started reading it:
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy98/24089.pdf
DOE/DOA study on the "Life Cycle Inventory of Biodiesel and Petroleum Diesel for Buses".
Part of the Executive Summary (page v):

"Reductions in Petroleum and Fossil Energy Consumption
As one component of a strategy for reducing petroleum oil dependence and minimizing fossil fuel consumption, the use of biodiesel offers tremendous potential.

Substituting 100% biodiesel (B100) for petroleum diesel in buses reduces the life cycle consumption of petroleum by 95%. This benefit is proportionate with the blend level of biodiesel used. When a 20% blend of biodiesel and petroleum diesel (B20) is used as a substitute for petroleum diesel in urban buses, the life cycle consumption of petroleum drops 19%.
In our study, we found that the production processes for biodiesel and petroleum diesel are almost identical in their efficiency of converting a raw energy source (in this case, petroleum and soybean oil) into a fuel product. The difference between these two fuels is in the ability of biodiesel to utilize a renewable energy source.

Biodiesel yields 3.2 units of fuel product energy for every unit of fossil energy consumed in its life cycle. The production of B20 yields 0.98 units of fuel product energy for every unit of fossil energy consumed.
By contrast, petroleum diesel�s life cycle yields only 0.83 units of fuel product energy per unit of fossil energy consumed. Such measures confirm the �renewable� nature of biodiesel."
Food for thought.
Al

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Al Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Poster Joined: 23 February 2004 Location: Madison, Madison County Status: Offline Points: 3249	Post Options Post Reply Quote Al Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Biodiesel efficiencies Posted: 21 December 2005 at 2:54am
	I found this study a couple of months ago, but just started reading it: http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy98/24089.pdf DOE/DOA study on the "Life Cycle Inventory of Biodiesel and Petroleum Diesel for Buses". Part of the Executive Summary (page v): "Reductions in Petroleum and Fossil Energy Consumption As one component of a strategy for reducing petroleum oil dependence and minimizing fossil fuel consumption, the use of biodiesel offers tremendous potential. Substituting 100% biodiesel (B100) for petroleum diesel in buses reduces the life cycle consumption of petroleum by 95%. This benefit is proportionate with the blend level of biodiesel used. When a 20% blend of biodiesel and petroleum diesel (B20) is used as a substitute for petroleum diesel in urban buses, the life cycle consumption of petroleum drops 19%. In our study, we found that the production processes for biodiesel and petroleum diesel are almost identical in their efficiency of converting a raw energy source (in this case, petroleum and soybean oil) into a fuel product. The difference between these two fuels is in the ability of biodiesel to utilize a renewable energy source. Biodiesel yields 3.2 units of fuel product energy for every unit of fossil energy consumed in its life cycle. The production of B20 yields 0.98 units of fuel product energy for every unit of fossil energy consumed. By contrast, petroleum diesel�s life cycle yields only 0.83 units of fuel product energy per unit of fossil energy consumed. Such measures confirm the �renewable� nature of biodiesel." Food for thought. Al