BioDiesel : Drive Vegan!

The price of oil today is still quite costly, even for the average Filipino. We have become too dependent on other countries to provide fuel for our cars. Perhaps the only solution to that would be to depend on our own selves to produce our own fuel.

Biodiesel is environment-friendly. Instead of crude oil, biodiesel makes use of plant oils and animal fats. It is a renewable energy, which produces fewer emissions than the standard diesel. Because of that, the amount of air pollution will decrease. Being biodegradable makes it four times faster to break down than the standard diesel. What use is that? We all remember the Guimaras oil spill, and the unfortunate effects it brought upon the inhabitants there folk. If ever an occasion like that ever arises again, the cleanup should be much easier.

When it comes to safety, it is better than the standard diesel. It burns at a higher temperature, so chances of accidental combustion are less.

Biodiesel is also good for your engine. It increases your engine life by removing wastes which may get stuck within the engine to save it from wearing out. Furthermore, it can be used in almost any diesel engine with little or no modification at all.

In 2004, President Arroyo started the energy independence project in hopes of attaining 60% energy self-sufficiency for the Philippines by 2010. Plans were made and some of these included the development of coco-biodiesel and jatropha biodiesel, besides sugarcane, corn, cassava, and soybeans. Coco-biodiesel or Coconut Methyl Ester, obviously from the name itself is a biodiesel which is derived from coconut oil. This is a good idea, since coconuts are found in many areas here in the Philippines. Aside from the other advantages a biodiesel usually has, coco-biodiesel “boosts engine power and acceleration, and improves fuel economy.” Improving the fuel economy would earn us more mileage, which can really help us economically. Other economic-related positive effects with coco-biodiesel include more jobs for people in the coconut production industry. On the other hand, jatropha or “tuba tuba” is a non-edible plant, which can produce an oil content ranging from 30% - 58%. It is easily planted, and it can even withstand droughts. “The plant remains useful for 30 - 40 years.”

With all those, why shouldn’t we convert to biodiesel? Not only is it environment-friendly, but it is also more affordable.

Sources:
http://www.doe.gov.ph/AF/Biofuels.htm
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Advantages-of-Biodiesel&id=1090485
http://www.doe.gov.ph/AF/BiodieselFAQ%27s.htm
http://www.bioenergywiki.net/index.php/The_Philippines/