Over dependent on fossil fuel such as petroleum is one major problem and cause of the economy breakdown we have in our country Nigeria today. While other countries are moving to the use of biodiesel fuel which is of more benefit to the environment at large and ecosystem as it supports the greenhouse effect theory which is a global issue. We are still over-dependent on fossils fuels and petroleum. The use of biodiesel fuel is well encouraged in developed countries today and even developing countries as they have shift interest from the importation of foreign fuel and now rely mainly on biofuel which has less cost and easier to process. A country like Nigeria where the recession is hitting badly and the common means of livelihood seems not to do much again we need to start thinking of other major sources of income for the average man and the economy at large. The history of use of biodiesel fuel dated as far back as 1853 by a German Engineer named Patrick Duffy, four decades before the first diesel engine became functional, where vegetable oil was converted to fuel to run a single 10 ft (3.0 m) iron cylinder with a flywheel at its base in Augsburg, Germany, on 10 August 1893 running on nothing but peanut oil particularly.



Biodiesel refers to a vegetable oil typically made by chemically reacting lipids like vegetable oil or soybean oil. Biofuels burn cleaner than fossil fuels, releasing fewer pollutants and greenhouse gasses, such as carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere. They are sustainable, and energy companies often mix biofuels with gasoline for use. In other words, unlike oil, coal or natural gas, biofuels won't run out.
Biofuels fall into two main categories: bio-alcohol and biodiesel. To create biodiesel, refineries use the oil already found in crops such as soybeans, Jatropha etc. These vegetable oils are treated with alcohol and turned into biofuel.


Advantage Of Biofuel Over Fossil Fuel :
* Biodiesel is a renewable energy source, unlike other petroleum products that will vanish in years to come. Since it is made from animal and vegetable fat, it can be produced on demand and also causes less pollution than petroleum diesel.
*While fossil fuels when burnt release greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that raises the temperature and causes global warming, biofuels protect the environment from further heating up. Experts believe that using biodiesel instead of petroleum diesel can reduce greenhouse gasses up to 78%.

* With locally produced biofuels, a country can reduce their dependency on fossil fuels. This will save billions by reducing their usage and dependency on fossil fuel.

* Air pollution cause more deaths and diseases than any other form of pollution. Pollutants from gasoline engines when released in the air, form smog can make thousands of people sick every year. Biodiesel produces less toxic pollutants than other petroleum products.

USES ;
* Railway Cooperation.
it can be used as a source of fuel for train operating companies.

*Aviation.
A test flight has been performed by a Czech jet aircraft completely powered on biodiesel. On November 7, 2011, United Airlines flew the world's first commercial aviation flight on a microbial-derived biofuel.

*Domestic Use.
Biodiesel can also be used as a heating fuel in domestic and commercial boilers and as cooking gas.

* Generator Use.
In 2001, UC Riverside installed a 6-megawatt backup power system that is entirely fueled by biodiesel. Backup diesel-fueled generators allow companies to avoid damaging blackouts of critical operations at the expense of high pollution and emission rates.

* Transportation.
It can be used to fuel vehicles and trucks with less pollutants.

Sources of Biodiesel ; It is gotten mainly from plants such as
* Corn.
* Rapeseed or Canola.
* Palm oil.
* Sugarcane.
* Sunflower.
* Cottonseed.
*Soybean.
*Jatropha Seed.

Particularly the plant Jatropha Seed. It is of more importance than the other sources because it is not edible by neither humans nor animals and can't compete as food in the market such as the palm oil or soybean. It is drought resistant and can withstand dry conditions for a long time period. It can be cultivated in large quantity, and helps to fertilize even degraded and abandoned farmlands. This plant has 40yrs of continuous harvesting. Jatropha is a species of a flowering plant in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. It is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, becoming naturalized in some areas. The seeds when crushed contain 27-40% oil that can be processed to produce a high-quality biodiesel fuel, usable in a standard diesel engine. While the residue can also be used as biomass feedstock to power electricity plants and also used as fertilizer. This seed is a very good and rich source of biofuel and when cultivated and processed can be used to a very large extent.


In a country as Nigeria, only a few people are interested in biodiesel production, while the few involved in the production now are doing quite a great investment because in years to come the petrol will run out and lose its value. So we have to move to using biodiesel fuel mainly. Such businesses as this are what is needed to boost the economy and give the average Nigeria a reliable and honest source of livelihood. If we have reliable farmers that can or that are playing this seeds it can be cultivated on a large scale and delivered to companies or individuals who are into the production of biodiesel fuel.

Such farmers who have the readily available seeds or who have the capacity to plant the seeds or individuals who have large expanse of land that is ready for use can contact:

Mr. Ayotunde O. Evans @aytevans@gmail.com an Agricultural Technologist with an experience in Agricultural Automation and development, he is also a Mechatronics Engineer and a Techno-entrepreneur. Or call Miss Damilola Oludemi on 07088984229 or send a mail to @damilolaoludemi@gmail.com.


References ; 1) ( Wikipedia https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiesel https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/
2)Jatropha_curcas#/search, how stuff works http://auto.
howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/biofuels/10-biofuel-crops.htm.
3) Conserve energy future http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Advantages_Disadvantages_Biodiesel.php
4)Gas2.org http://gas2.org/2008/03/26/top-15-unexpected-uses-for-biodiesel/


Author Of Article : Damilola Oludemi.
Blogger and Writer @ http://www.demitalks.com/?m=1.

Seun and lalasticlala please help move this to front page. Thanks.

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel for diesel engines made from vegetable oils and animal fats. It can be used in its pure form or blended with petroleum diesel. Biodiesel is typically produced through transesterification, which involves adding alcohol to the oil or fat to produce esters. These esters can then be used as fuel in a diesel engine.
http://biodieselmagazine.com/articles/3908/mission-gets-boost-from-valero-offtake-investment-agreement
Biodiesel has several advantages over fossil fuels. First, it is renewable, meaning it can be produced ongoing without diminishing supplies. It is also more efficient than fossil fuels, producing less greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, biodiesel is non-toxic and biodegradable, making it safer for the environment than fossil fuels.

Despite these advantages, biodiesel does have some disadvantages. One of the most significant disadvantages is that it can be more expensive than fossil fuels. Additionally, biodiesel production requires land and water resources, which could potentially be used for other purposes such as food production. Finally, some research suggests that biofuels may increase greenhouse gas emissions in the short term.