Canola biodiesel has advantages over other types of animal and vegetable oils, both during the at-home fuel manufacturing process and while using it to fuel your vehicle. It's important to consider these differences, especially as a beginner, before selecting the oil you'll be using regularly for a fuel alternative.
Canola biodiesel is one of the easier types of fuel to manufacture at home, due to the fact that it withstands temperature changes better than other types of vegetable or animal oils. Due to its low acid content and higher melting point, or 'cloud point,' beginners will find process and testing to be much more easily analyzed and understood.
Canola biodiesel takes advantage of a substance which has a much higher oil content than some of the other available choices. Canola oil has approximately a 43% oil content, where comparable oils offer a much lower percentage. This makes canola extremely efficient for use in biodiesel production.
Canola biodiesel performs much better in cold weather than other major vegetable oils. This is due to the low saturated fat content. At only 7% saturated fat, canola based biodiesel doesn't crystallize until around 37 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas petroleum diesel fuel has a cloud point of around 40 degrees.
Canola biodiesel contains about 10% oxygen by weight. The amount of oxygen contained in fuel is what leads to a reduction of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, particulate matter and toxins that contribute to the emissions factor. Canola oil biodiesel is cleaner-burning than petroleum diesel fuel because of its high oxygen percentage.
While rising fuel costs contribute to the search for diesel alternatives, the environmental implications come into play as well. Canola biodiesel biodegrades up to five times faster than petroleum diesel, making it a healthy and environmentally-friendly choice.
