by :
Ron Petracek
If you own a tractor, truck or a boat you are probably a bit bemused by the phenomena of biodiesel being a "new thing" when it comes to extending mileage, lubricity or reducing pollution The truth is that using biodiesel as an additive to boost the lubricity of an engine and solve combustion issues is not new at all. It has been used for decades as a way of keeping large farm machinery operating in the winter.
The upshot is that biodiesel can lubricates vehicle machinery far better than petroleum diesel fuel. Scientist and farmers have realized for years that there is marked improvement in lubricity when biodiesel is added to conventional diesel fuel. Even biodiesel levels as low as one percent can provide up to a 65 percent increase in lubricity in distillate fuels.
Biodiesel and biodiesel additives have been in the spotlight lately because of global warming. Using just plain diesel is not the "magic solution" when it comes to global warming because of course this fuel does emit soot, carbons and sulfur. This is evident if you have ever watched exhaust coming out of the back of the exhaust pipe of a bus, boat or tractor. The addition of biodiesel to fuels in boats, tractors, buses and other large vehicles can greatly help reduce these toxic emissions as well as the noise that these vehicles can make.
This is because a machine that is well lubricated with biodiesel is just not as erratic in its function.
The fact that biodiesel makes the running of vehicles much easier in general has led to the development of all kinds of designer biodiesel additives, for both diesel fuel and gasoline run vehicles. One company that has been at the forefront of developing these types of designer biodiesel formulas is Fuel Boost. Fuelboost raises the certain level in pumped gas, which also gives the machine more mileage.
The Fuel Boost Company specifically manufactures a Fuel Boost Diesel Formula that removes soot deposits on valves and intake ports and strips the engines of built up carbon. This formula also reduces the thick black smoke that can be emitted into the atmosphere.
The smoothness and mobility of diesel fuel is especially important for diesel engines and machines that use rotary and distributor type fuel injection pumps. In these pumps, the fuel itself lubricates moving parts as it moves through the pump. This is exactly the type of instance where the addition biodiesel can greatly increase the efficiency of a machine.
The efficiency of other diesel fuel systems-which include unit injectors; injectors, unit pumps, and in-line pumps also rely on well-lubricated diesel fuel. The reason that biodiesel fuel in blends of 20% or lower are usually added to regular diesel fuels is because Biodiesel fuels consisting of methyl esters of soybean oil. The esters in biodiesel have superior scuffing and adhesive wear resistance that exceeds conventional diesel fuels
To ensure the safest use of biodiesel fuel, make sure that the additive you use it meets the ASTM specification for pure biodiesel (ASTM D 6751) before blending with petroleum based diesel fuel. This ensures that your machine will not experience operational problems.