Biodiesel was first proposed by German engineer Dr. Rudolf Diessel. At the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900,  he showed his engine with peanut oil as fuel. Dr. Rudolf Diesel actually invented the diesel engine to run on a myriad of fuels including coal dust suspended in water, heavy mineral oil, and vegetable oil. His initial engine experiments were catastrophic failures. … Read More

The Direct Injection Engine (DI) The engine uses the heat caused by compressing air in a cylinder, with a piston, to ignite fuel oil which is injected into the cylinder. This oil burns and creates an increase in pressure which forces the piston back down the cylinder, providing the power. The burnt gasses are exhausted … Read More

The use of pure or straight plant oil as fuel in diesel engines is an old idea. In fact it was the fuel of choice when the diesel engine was invented and first demonstrated. The only reason straight plant oil (more commonly referred to in literature as straight vegetable oil or SVO) cannot be used … Read More

Biodiesel can be used in pure form (B100) or may be blended with petroleum diesel at any concentration in most injection pump diesel engines. 1. Distribution Since the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, biodiesel use has been increasing in the United States. In the UK, the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation obliges suppliers … Read More