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At Stop Diesel Misfuelling, we know that biodiesel is set to play an increasingly large part in fuel supplies for diesel engine cars, but under certain conditions. So it is difficult to apply the notion of ‘right fuel’ or ‘wrong fuel’ without some more information. Biodiesel comes from vegetable or animal oil, which then undergoes a chemical process in order to yield the final biodiesel fuel. In a sense, biodiesel is a halfway-house between straight vegetable oils (SVO) used in their original state and petrochemical diesel, meaning classic diesel fuel.
Biodiesel is superior to diesel from the petrochemical sources concerning protection of the environment. It has less noxious emissions. However pure biodiesel attacks natural rubber and therefore any vehicle using biodiesel in this state needs to be checked for any joints of this kind. It is considerations of this type that suggest possible ‘misfuelling’ risks, although not in the extreme sense for example of trying to use petrol in diesel engines. In general, vehicles made after 1992 use synthetic materials instead of pure rubber, but to be sure, the manufacturer or its representative should be consulted in any case. We take care to make FuelSure compatible.
Biodiesel takes on a significant measure of importance when considered as a fuel that reduces dependence on relatively unstable fuel producer countries such as Iraq, Nigeria, Venezuela and Iran. In Europe, with diesel vehicles are gaining a greater and greater share of the market, several countries are now biodiesel producers, including the UK. Biodiesel production also helps out agricultural producers who grow the raw materials required. In this sense, it is very much the ‘right fuel’. At Stop Diesel Misfuelling, we take an interest in any initiative with ecological benefit.
The type of diesel engine that you have will determine to some extent whether biodiesel is fully compatible as a fuel or if there is any possibility of misfuelling. In Indirect Injection diesel engines for example, the diesel is injected into a swirl-chamber or a pre-chamber before it then enters the combustion chamber. Swirl chamber engines are less tolerant of other pure diesel fuel variants other than traditional petrochemical diesel fuel. The same is true of direct injection and common rail diesel engines.
Fuel in a common rail diesel engine can be heated to higher working temperatures and increased recirculation, meaning travelling backwards and forwards between the engine and the fuel tank. It is this recirculation that increases the possibility that pure biodiesel might oxidise due to exposure to air and cause problems in such engines. However any risk here is in practice eliminated by using biodiesel of the right fuel specification, which is compatible in all senses with common rail engines. Don’t worry, it’s completely compatible with FuelSure, your guarantee against diesel misfuelling.
Biodiesel in general can be used not only as a pure fuel, but also mixed with petrochemical diesel. For significant environmental benefits and minimal price difference, the B20 (20% biodiesel mixed with 80% petrochemical diesel) has shown excellent results. Using biodiesel means significantly decreased emissions of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Biodiesel in its pure state has freezes more quickly (at higher temperatures) than petrochemical diesel, but can be advantageously used in combination with petroleum diesel such as in the blend B20 referred to above.
Whether your preference is for classic diesel, biodiesel and diesel blends or pure biodiesel, unfortunately the possibility of misfuelling with the wrong fuel, petrol, will still exist for some time. You can stay green and stay safe however, by fitting FuelSure , a simple yet effective diesel misfuelling prevention device, which works no matter what kind of diesel you use. Find out for yourself by calling today on 0845 475 8397 or contacting us here.
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