Best of biodiesel: Advantage and disadvantage

Advantage of biodiesel:
- High cetane rating of almost 6
- Very good inherent viscisity
- 11% Oxygen content, ensuring clean combustion with 50% less soot emission
- Almost sulfur free at max. 0.01% content
- Good CFPP rating of approx. - 10 Celcius degree
- Biodegradable
- Recommended for use in water protection areas
- Non toxic, non hazardous, trouble free transport and storage.

Disadvantage of biodiesel:
- The oxidation process

In the initial phase of chain reaction, the oxidation process releases free radicals that in turn combine with oxygen from the atmosphere to form unstable peroxide radicals. They tear away neighboring hydrogen atoms, reating unstable hydroperoxides as well as other free radicals, which starts the chain reaction again and creates a self feeding chain. Over the ensuing reactions, the reactions, the remaining unstable hydroperoxides decompe into aldehydes, ketones and acids and then, in other reactions, create polymers. Letting the reaction progress unhindered leads to severe damage: stickness at the nozzles, clogged filters, deposits, corrosion or even brittle hoses, seals and other plastic or rubber components. Therefore antioxidants needed to captured the free radicals as they form, thereby effectively interruping the chain reaction - the key to absolutely stable biodiesel.

- Needed special Polyamide(i.e VESTAMID, for highly stable line systems) compound for adapting automotive components to biodiesel. There is a good reason for this restriction: the solvent nature of certain chemical properties in biodiesel can damage plastic and rubber components in the engine and fuel systems.