Frequently Asked Questions

How is biodiesel made?

Do I have to modify my engine to run Biodiesel?

Is Bio diesel the same thing as raw vegetable oil?

Why should I use Bio UK Fuels biodiesel?

Bio UK Fuels Bio Diesel engine performance?

Issues in Using Biodiesel?

Cost Comparisons Of Using Bio Diesel Against Petroleum Diesel?

What is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is the name of a green, clean burning alternative diesel, the original diesel, produced from renewable resources. Pure biodiesel (also called B100) contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend.

It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, almost odourless and essentially free of sulphur and aromatics.

How is biodiesel made?
Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification whereby the glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil. The process leaves behind two products - methyl esters (the chemical name for biodiesel) and glycerin (a valuable byproduct usually sold to be used in soaps and other products).

If you would like to see the fuel making process then please come and see Bio UK Fuels in action making recycled biodiesel, just give us a call on 0114 244 5603.

Bio UK Fuels has a full IPPC license and is a fully regulated biodiesel manufacture.  

Do I have to modify my engine to run Biodiesel?
No. biodiesel is the original diesel, but your engine may need to adjust to the running of pure biodiesel, particularly if it has an engine management system set for mineral diesels (petroleum diesel). The engine management system may need to adjust to this fuel by using a mixture of 50% mineral and 50% biodiesel (B50).

Petroleum diesel coats the engine in carbon deposits, which the purer (more refined) biodiesel will loosen these deposits, flushing them through to the filter which may need to be replaced after two or three tanks of biodiesel have been used. During replacement you will see a dark brown sludge of carbon collected by the filter, which will be the removal of the carbon deposits, your engine will now run more effectively and with better lubrication on biodiesel.

Is Bio diesel the same thing as raw vegetable oil?
No! Fuel-grade biodiesel must be produced to a very high quality specification by the fuel matic machine, which is rigorously checked in order to insure quality is always maintained.

Bio UK Fuels Biodiesel is a legal fuel for sale and wholesale, it has been produced to the highest standards using the first machine of its type in the UK, which ensures everything from consistency of biodiesel through to its viscosity.

Raw vegetable oil cannot meet biodiesel fuel specifications, it is not a motor fuel.

What is the Chemistry of Bio Diesel?
Bio diesel is defined as mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats. Typical used cooking oil uses Rape Seed Oil which has a carbon molecule length of 32 while diesel fuel requires a carbon chain of 12 in length for use in diesel engines; the transesterification process breaks this down to the optimum length chain. Biodiesel refers to the pure fuel before blending with diesel fuel. Biodiesel blends are denoted as, "BXX" with "XX" representing the percentage of biodiesel contained in the blend (i.e.: B20 is 20% bio diesel, 80% petroleum diesel).

Why should I use Bio UK Fuels biodiesel?
Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel.

Bio UK Fuels recycles used cooking oil from local restaurants and other food producers and turns it into biodiesel (B100), a closed loop recycling process. No new oil or specifically grown crop is used to make Bio UK Fuels’ biodiesel.

Bio UK Fuels’ biodiesel is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. It is safer to handle than petroleum diesel and has no discernable odour. It is made from renewable resources such as Oil Seed Rape, its use decreases our dependence on petroleum (non renewable) oil.

Bio UK Fuels Bio Diesel engine performance?
Biodiesel is actually good for your engine. Unlike conventional diesel, biodiesel replenishes the lubricity, reducing engine problems and enhancing the life and efficiency of your motor.

Bio diesel's natural cleaning properties will also help to clean injectors, fuel lines, pumps and tanks, meaning that the overall maintenance costs are reduced.

Issues in Using Biodiesel?
When changing from petroleum diesel to pure Biodiesel (B100) carbon deposits from the petroleum diesel may be flushed through the system and deposited to the filter, which is why we recommend changing your filter after 3 tanks of fuel. Using pure biodiesel can improve your engine’s performance and the added lubrication may protect your engine from wear and tear.

Vehicles made before 1992 may have issues with rubber piping wearing, depending upon the model.

Modern Engines with engine management systems may need time to adjust the chemical composition (oxygen levels) in the fuel; to resolve this we suggest gradually introducing biodiesel from 50% upwards.

Some cars in the UK state that using a Bio Fuel will invalidate your manufacturers warranty, we advise that caution should be used, and you should discuss this with your dealer, although, across Europe the same cars are using biodiesel every day.

Cost Comparisons Of Using Bio Diesel Against Petroleum Diesel?
Biodiesel currently enjoys a small tax relief (to encourage this GREEN fuel usage), which allows Bio UK Fuels to pass on to customers a saving about 5p per litre, (about 25p per gallon). Depending upon your fuel usage this will provide a significant saving per year.

If you know your fuel usage you can calculate your savings using biodiesel, if not there are various fuel usage calculators available online to estimate fuel saving per use and how to lower your carbon footprint.

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