Tackling biodiesel's technical challenges

Engineers and researchers are working to mitigate biodiesel's negative effects on engine components and aftertreatment systems.

Biodiesel is on a roll. In the U.S., production of the fuel derived mainly from soybean oil and yellow grease (recycled cooking oils) is on a record pace in 2013, reaching almost 916 million gal (3.47 billion L) through August, according to the U.S. EPA. When combined with “renewable” diesel-a similar replacement for petroleum- based diesel that uses different processing technology-the total was almost 1.1 billion gal (4.17 billion L).

Globally, biodiesel production capacity is forecast to reach 17.7 billion gal (67 billion L) in 2015, with renewable diesel capacity rising to 1.2 billion gal (4.5 billion L), according to Lux Research.