First, the references to "Biodiesel" always infer that it's a TOTAL replacement for petroleum-based fuel.
Pulled this quote from http://www.biodiesel.org/
"..........Most major engine companies have stated formally that the use of blends up to B20 will not void their parts and workmanship warranties. This includes blends below 20% biodiesel, such as the 2% biodiesel blends that are becoming more common."
The last time I looked, there were TWO suppliers within a six-hour drive of my home where I could get the 2% "biodiesel" (at a fashionably increased cost per gallon).
This is supposed to be an immediate, economically viable substitute for petroleum-based diesel?
I'll try my PowerStroke out on wishful thinking like this for a while, if you promise to come get me with a tow truck.
It can be, it's just not in most forms at the pump.
The last time I looked, there were TWO suppliers within a six-hour drive of my home where I could get the 2% "biodiesel" (at a fashionably increased cost per gallon).
The 2% biodiesel won't help with emissions much, but that small quantity added does provide the needed internal lubrication for your modern diesel when running straight low-sulphur petrodiesel. Higher concentrations will also clean out your fuel lines if you've previously been running pure petrodiesel. Of course, that means you might have a short-term problem with clogged fuel filters if you make the switch as the filters catch all the junk the biodiesel cleans out. Also, the alcohol in biodiesel gives it that solvent power, but it also eats at natural rubber. You're okay if you have a newer engine with synthetic fuel lines and gaskets, but be careful with high concentrations of biodiesel in older engines.
Other plusses: almost completely non-toxic and has a much higher flash point than petrodiesel, making it vastly safer to handle and store.
This is supposed to be an immediate, economically viable substitute for petroleum-based diesel?
The main problem now is economy of scale, but unlike ethanol it's pretty easy and cheap to make, and it produces more energy than it takes to make it. Basically, just blend 20% methanol (very cheap alcohol) and some lye or potassium hydroxide, and you get biodiesel and glycerine. As a plus, you can sell-off the glycerine.
But the most messed up thing about biodiesel is that even it can't please the environuts. They object to the large amounts of farming land that would be required to sustain large-scale biodiesel operations. There's just no pleasing some idiots.
I'll try my PowerStroke out on wishful thinking like this for a while, if you promise to come get me with a tow truck.
Ford doesn't recommend above 5% biodiesel, although people have run it fine with synthetic lines and gaskets. Also, a PowerStroke conversion to straight vegetable oil with a 40-gallon tank costs about $2,000 (you use petrodiesel to start, then switch to oil, then switch back before shutting down). It's probably worth that plus about $1,000 for a high-speed garage filter system if you drive a lot and you can convince your local fish-fry to give you all its waste oil.
BTW, I'm not trying to say you should convert like some eco-weenie would, but looking into it can't hurt. The end decision is of course solely yours (until the government gets in on this).