So I'm driving home today, and an Isuzu delivery truck goes by me, creeping along in the next lane over. He gets a hole in traffic, guns it, and a HUGE cloud of black smoke pours out of his tailpipe. He gets by me and I see the back of the truck, and a big banner across the back door: "THIS TRUCK IS RUNNING ON BIO-DIESEL, An American Fuel." And I'm thinking, oh, good, at least the cloud of carcinogens you've just blasted through my window has a name. If you're going to advertise the fuel you run, don't you think you should maybe TUNE UP your truck?

 

Actually, Bio-diesel is an all-natural fuel, made from vegetable oils.

Darryl Hannah (remember Splash?) was on Howard Stern a few weeks ago talking about it - she uses bio-diesel in her own vehcle.

According to her (and biodiesel.org):

Bio diesel emits 1/4 the carbon dioxide of gas engines, and is currently the least polluting fuel for a motor car (besides hydrogen and electricity, etc).

Bio diesel is made from vegetable oils, and recycled fats from restaurants (french fry oil). Hannah said she has 55 gallon drums delivered to her home. Since restaurants PAY to have their grease hauled away, the drums of bio are pretty cheap, because they are just a second profit for the collection companies.

The carbon dioxide emitted is roughly the same amount that would be used by the plants grown to make the fuel.

ANY diesel engine can run biodiesel with NO mods - the only change required is to switch rubber fuel lines to silicone, as the biodiesel can corrode rubber.

The diesel engine was originally developed for farmers, so that they could "grow" their own fuel. Biodiesel IS the original diesel.

It's actually rather interesting, and there's a lot of potential in it.

~HH

 

Oh, I know. It's good stuff. Renewable fuel is a great idea. My point was, if you're going to put a big sign on your truck saying that you use it, make sure the damn thing doesn't smoke. It just looks bad, you know?