Beating a path to biodiesel

Multiple pathways are being pursued to increase biodiesel use, reduce dependence on petroleum, and improve the environment, but the best route is not yet known.

“We're spoiled rotten with petroleum” is how one speaker at April's SAE 2011 World Congress put things into perspective in a discussion about how to kick the oil addiction. “It's a wonderful resource in terms of energy efficiency and ease of conversion.” The clear implication by the speaker, Penn State University fuel sciences professor Andre Boehman, is that finding alternatives to that gold standard will be difficult.

Not that the other speakers on the Congress' “Charging Forward on Petroleum Alternatives” panel-a well as audience members-didn't already know that. But the speakers didn't stop at lamenting; they provided insights into the advantages and disadvantages of the various alternatives, including biofuels. Though much of the discussion focused on the light-vehicle sector, the insights on diesel apply to heavy-duty and off-highway applications as well.