Biodiesel fuel is a fuel made from the oil of certain oilseed crops such as soybean, canola, palm kernel, coconut, sunflower, safflower, corn and a hundreds of other oil producing crops. The oil is extracted by the use of a press. The oil is then mixed in specific proportions with other agents which causes a chemical reaction. The results of this reaction are two products, biodiesel and soap. Go to fossil fuel for more information.

After a final filtration, the biodiesel is ready for use. After curing, the glycerin soap which is produced as a by product can be used as is, or can have scented oils added before use.

Biodiesel fuel is not a new development; however it has gotten quite a lot of publicity lately. This is largely due to the rising cost of crude oil which puts a strain on the consumer’s wallet at the gas pump. Biodiesel fuel is one alternative to relying on fossil fuels to operate our vehicles.

In 1895 Dr. Rudolph Diesel introduced the first diesel engine intended to run on vegetable oil. In 1900 he presented his engine at the World Exhibition in Paris. This diesel engine used peanut oil as fuel.

In 1912 Dr. Diesel predicted that in the future the use of vegetable oils as a fuel may be as important as the use of petroleum and coal was in his day. With the volatile nature of oil producing countries, and the ever surging cost of crude oil, interest in vegetable oils as fuel has been rekindled, so it seems Dr Diesel may have had a glimpse into the world of today.

Biodiesel fuel has several advantages over fossil fuel. The most celebrated advantage is that biodiesel fuel is less costly to make than gasoline. As an added bonus, biodiesel is environmentally friendly fuel. The use of biodiesel in an unmodified diesel engine will substantially reduce the emissions of harmful unburned hydrocarbons, sulfates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide.

Biodiesel fuel works in almost any diesel engine. Just some of the equipment where these engines can be found is cars, trucks, tractors, planes, trains, boats, buses and almost all agricultural equipment. As you can see this adds up to a lot of potential use for biodiesel, and just as many chances to reduce the harmful emissions created from the use of fossil fuels.

So what makes biodiesel fuel such a promising fossil fuel alternative? Here are a few of the surprising facts pertaining to biodiesel. Refer to fossil fuel foundation for more information.

Biodiesel fuel can be made from renewable resources such as vegetable oils and animal fats.

Biodiesel fuel reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80%.

Biodiesel reduces the formation of acid rain because it produces no sulfur dioxide, which is the key element in creating acid rain.

Biodiesel fuel smells better at the tank, so filling up is a more pleasant task than with regular diesel. Biodiesel also smells better on the road, with the exhaust sometimes being described as smelling like French fries or doughnuts.

Biodiesel burns much cleaner, so the black smelly smoke one usually sees puffing from vehicles which use diesel engines can be eliminated.

An added advantage over regular fuel is that biodiesel fuel takes considerably less time to degrade in the event of a spill, usually about twenty eight days, which is about four times faster than gasoline or regular diesel fuel.

The extra lubrication provided by biodiesel fuel helps improve the longevity of your engine, as well as boosting engine performance, also helping eliminate engine knocks and noise.

Biodiesel fuel can be stored in any type of tank already approved for fuel storage, giving more savings to both businesses and consumers.

Biodiesel has a much higher flash point at 300 degrees to be exact, than regular diesel, at 150 degrees.

Biodiesel can be mixed with regular diesel fuel to make blends, such as B5 or B20.

Most diesel engines can use biodiesel without having to be modified in any way.

With all the advantages biodiesel fuel has over conventional diesel, it makes a smart alternative which not only makes a difference in our wallets, but also to the Earth itself. Visit fossil fuel for further information.

Moving can be hard. If you are moving a good distance, you may want to look into having your car shipped. If you have multiple vehicles, or if you don’t have the time to be able to drive. The way that fuel prices keep bouncing up and down, could influence whether you have your car shipped or not. How can you find the right company? Start by asking around for referrals from family members, neighbors and work colleagues. If you go online, you can find the auto shipping rates you will need to find the right company for you. When you choose an auto shipping company, be sure to check that they are licensed by the United States Department of Transportation.

Sometimes moving companies and auto shippers will work together. Ask your mover if they have a partner who does auto shipping and if so, can you get a break on the price to ship a car. Some moving companies will move your car as well as your belongings. It may be more exspensive to do it together, but keep an open mind when looking, you will find what you need. If you go with a company that specializes in moving cars, you will probably get the best rates.How much will it cost to ship a car? Much will depend on destination, time of year and type of car you have.You will want to compare the prices to ship a car before you decide on a company.As always, read and understand everything in your contract before signing. Check to find out what type of insurance the company carries. You will need to know what is covered and if you will have to cover the difference. It is worth reading all the paperwork, even if it seems overwhelming at times.

Some companies offer a choice of which form of shipping you would like. Most people are familiar with the open form of shipping. Everyone has seen the trucks with all the cars going down the road. There may be some seasonal risk to using open shipping. Open is by far the less expensive option.Closed shipping is more expensive because each truck carries many fewer cars than with open auto shipping. For those with collector cars, you may want to pay the extra and have it shipped in a closed trailer. Do not plan to put things in the car. Some auto transporters will have you remove all of your personal possessions from the car. Even if the auto mover allows it, it’s still probably not a good idea, as personal possessions in the car would not be covered by insurance.

Do not let the auto transporters pick up the car before you have a chance to document any damage. Inspect the vehicle again when it arrives at the destination. You would need to file any claims there are at this time.