The Emerging Market for Biodiesel and the Role of Fuel Additives

With growing concern over greenhouse gases there is increasing emphasis on reducing CO₂ emissions. Despite engine efficiency improvements plus increased dieselisation of the fleet, increasing vehicle numbers results in increasing CO₂ emissions. To reverse this trend the fuel source must be changed to renewable fuels which are CO₂ neutral.

A common route towards this goal is to substitute diesel fuel with esterified seed oils, collectively known as Fatty Acid Methyl Esters. However a fundamental change to the fuel chemistry produces new challenges in ensuring compatibility between fuel and engine performance/durability.

This paper discusses the global situation and shows how fuel additives can overcome the challenges presented by the use of biodiesel.