Submitted by: Submitted by thislady132
Views: 400
Words: 471
Pages: 2
Category: Business and Industry
Date Submitted: 03/09/2011 09:45 AM
In 2004, John Plaza, alongside with Saybr Contractors, constructed their region’s first commercial biodiesel refinery called Seattle BioDiesel. The refinery opened for business in 2005. Biodiesel is a fuel that runs in Diesel engines and is made from vegetable oil or animal fat. The vegetable oil or animal fat is reacted with Methanol and a catalyst to cleave off the Glycerine backbone and oxygenate the fuel. This process is called transesterification, which leaves behind two products -- methyl and glycerin. Seattle BioDiesel capitalizes on the growing demand for alternative and renewable fuels in the domestic market and consumers that want a cheaper alternative to petroleum diesel.
In recent years, the effects of global warming have become all too obvious. There are many people out there, including myself that want to reduce these effects. Seattle BioDiesel has made it possible for consumers to not only use eco-friendly fuels, but have also provided their biofuel at an affordable price. Biofuels are considered the main responses to diminishing oil stocks and gas prices. Unlike petroleum diesel, biodiesel is much better for the environment because it is made from renewable sources and it has lower emissions. It also contributes to our own economy because it is made in the USA.
Currently, Seattle Biodiesel is capable of producing 5 million gallons of ASTM (American Society of Testing and Materials) certified biodiesel a year. The Seattle refinery offers six different retailers in which local consumers can purchase biodiesel.
Biodiesel, compared to petroleum diesel, is very cost efficient. A biodiesel vehicle will save a big hole in our pockets in the long run. Due to the emerging trends of high fuel prices, biodiesel has become a cheap alternative that costs less than $1 a gallon. For cars that can not use biodiesel, there are companies such as GreaseCar.com offer customized biodiesel car kits for between $1,000 and $1500 depending on the size of the vehicle....