Diesel engine technology for biodiesel

Increased use of biodiesel are due to the useful properties such as less local air pollution, rapid biodegradability, low toxicity to people and the environment, and high flashpoint, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector and increase energy security by reducing dependence on imported oil. The only limitation to the production and use of biodiesel is generally the availability of feedstock. This need not have to be grown locally, but can be imported. Examples are North American soya oil, Malaysian palm oil, French sunflower oil, Greek cottonseed oil, Polish rapeseed oil and Danish cooking oil recycled from restaurants. Recent years have seen impressive improvements in diesel engine technology to improve energy efficiency and reduce emission levels. Modern diesel engines achieve their excellent performance through the use of high-pressure precision fuel injection equipment such as common rail and electronic injection systems. This requires fuels of correspondingly high quality, regardless of their origin. European fuel standard EN 14214, which was developed in close co-operation with the automotive, oil and biodiesel industries, ensures that biodiesel is suitable for even the most modern engines. The standard forms the basis for warranties from leading car manufacturers, including Audi, BMW, Daimler-Chrysler, MAN, Seat, Skoda, Volvo and Volkswagen. The latest technical development from vehicle manufacturers is a fuel sensor that measures the ratio of biodiesel to fossil diesel in the tank. By continuously optimizing the injection timing to suit the fuel mix, it reduces emissions.