Biodiesel Vs Recycled Vegetable Oil Fuel

With high gasoline prices and a focus on energy independence, alternatives to petroleum based fuels are gaining popularity. Biodiesel and recycled vegetable oil fuel are often presented as environmentally preferred alternatives to petroleum fuels, but what are they and how do they compare with each other?

 Biodiesel refers to a vegetable oil or animal fat-based diesel fuel typically made by chemically reacting lipids such as animal fat or vegetable oil with an alcohol to produce fatty acid esters. Biodiesel can be used in standard diesel engines, alone or blended with petroleum diesel and can also be used as a lower carbon alternative to heating oil.

 Vegetable oil can be used as an alternative fuel for diesel engines and heating oil burners. Most diesel car engines are suitable for the use of straight vegetable oil with appropriate modifications otherwise poor atomization and combustion of the oil will create carbon buildup that will ultimately damage the engine. Either new, clean vegetable oil or reclaimed vegetable oil can be used but recycled vegetable oil is perceived as a more environmentally responsible alternative.

 The sustainability of biodiesel fuels is under debate as the land devoted to bio diesel crops results in a net loss of food crops and there is some argument about the ratio of energy used in growing biodiesel crops compared to the amount of energy received once those crops have been refined into biodiesel fuel. Straight vegetable oil fuel can lay claim to higher sustainability because recycled vegetable oil can be recovered from businesses and industry that use the oil for cooking in deep fryers, snack food factories and restaurants.

 In 2009 ConsumerReports.org performed a test of biodiesel and vegetable oil fuels using a 2002 Volkswagon Jetta TDI and compared fuel consumption and accelerations, emissions, and ease of use. Biodiesel yielded marginally better mileage and acceleration and produced almost 20% less hydrocarbons (3ppm compared to 14ppm). Vegetable oil produced less particulates and NOx emissions. There is no difference in the amount of carbon dioxide produced no matter what liquid fuel an engine burns.

 Consumer Reports determined that biodiesel is significantly easier and more convenient to use as an engine fuel than vegetable oil. Vegetable oil requires engine modifications, sacrificing trunk space to carry an auxiliary tank, personal time and effort locating fuel sources as well as time and labor picking up the vegetable oil, filtering and storing it. In addition, even if you use vegetable oil fuel you still need to start the engine using diesel fuel after every drive and cleaning the system before shutting it down.

 At first glance, the idea of powering your car with recycled vegetable oil may appear as if there are no negatives, but the positives of using a recycled fuel and exhaust that smells like potato chips may not outweigh the significant personal time investment that is involved. If your primary concern is air quality and carbon pollution, the minimal differences in emissions and the zero difference in carbon dioxide production may affect your decision.

Replacing Car Body Panels, What You Need To Know

Your car is more than just a means of conveyance because it also says a lot about your personality. If your car has been involved in an accident and has been damaged quite a bit, you ll need to buy new car body panels in order to replace the old ones. Your first instinct might be to see if a mechanic might be able to straighten the dents and out and cover up the scratches, but this is not always possible. If the damage is extensive then replacing the ruined parts is your only option.

 There are many scrap yards that sell car parts at extremely low rates. Unfortunately, the car won t look entirely new even after the mechanic has welded the cannibalized parts from a scrapped vehicle onto your car. The low prices might also be offset by the cost of renting another vehicle while your car is in the repair shop, because this option simply takes too much time. If you do go for this option, you should check the parts you purchase to ensure that they are not rusted or damaged.

 Dents are relatively easy to sort out but rust is another matter altogether. You ll also have to check the vehicle to ensure that its mounting points are aligned correctly, else the new body panels you have purchased will not fit well and you will have a lot of maintenance problems with the car in addition to the fact that it will not look good. Make sure that all repairs are done before you install the parts.

 You ll find that new car body panels made by the manufacturer of your car will be a far better fit than anything else. Besides, you won t need to leave your car in the mechanic s shop for too long.

 It is obviously best if you use genuine parts on your vehicle even if they cost more. There are quite a few retailers, especially ones that are available online, who will offer you authentic parts at a very good price. In addition, your insurance company won t have a problem with paying for these parts as long as they are genuine, making these the best option.

 You should find a retailer who can supply you with any type of car body panels and other spare parts that you need in order to repair your car. Parts purchased from a reliable retailer will last for a long time and not give you any trouble.