Vegetable oil fuel

Vegetable oil fuel is a type of biofuel derived from vegetable oil. It is used as a source of renewable energy and can be used in certain types of internal combustion engines.

History

The use of vegetable oil as a fuel dates back to 1898 when the diesel engine was invented by Rudolf Diesel. Diesel initially designed his engine to run on vegetable oil, but it was later modified to run on petroleum due to its availability and lower cost.

Production

Vegetable oil fuel is produced by extracting oil from oil-bearing plants such as rapeseed, soybean, palm, and sunflower. The oil is then processed through a series of steps including degumming, neutralization, bleaching, and deodorization to remove impurities and improve its properties for use as a fuel.

Use

Vegetable oil fuel can be used in diesel engines without any modifications. However, it is often blended with diesel fuel to improve its performance and reduce emissions. It can also be converted into biodiesel through a process called transesterification, which involves reacting the oil with an alcohol to produce esters that can be used as a fuel.

Environmental Impact

The use of vegetable oil fuel can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions as the carbon dioxide released during combustion is offset by the carbon dioxide absorbed by the plants during growth. However, the production of vegetable oil fuel can have negative environmental impacts, including deforestation and loss of biodiversity due to the expansion of oil crop plantations.

See Also

• Biofuel
• Biodiesel
• Renewable energy
• Greenhouse gas emissions