FAQs
What is biodiesel?
Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that can be made from domestic, renewable resources. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in any diesel engine with little or no modifications. Combustion of biodiesel produces significantly less carbon based emissions and is biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.
How is biodiesel made?
Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification which alters the composition of 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). Production at the "home brew" scale takes between 2-4 hours.
Why should I use biodiesel?
Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Biodiesel has even been used to clean up oil spills in sensitive marine environments!
Cape Fear Biofuels also strives to support North Carolina's economy by providing fuel that has been produced using locally grown crops such as soybeans, peanuts, and canola. By supporting local farmers we hope to foster greater energy independence in our area.
How much does it cost?
$5.00 per gallon.
Why so much?
Our biodiesel is a locally made product that does not enjoy the level of government subsidies provided to the petroleum industry. This includes defense (Iraq War), research, and transport using, all using tax payer's money. We compare our fuel to organic produce...a healthy, sustainable product well worth the added cost.
Will it affect about my vehicle's warranty?
No. Read your actual warranty (not the propaganda the manufacturer or local dealer puts out). Engine manufacturers do not warranty the use of urine as a fuel in their engines any more than they do petro-diesel or biodiesel. The point here is that if you put bad petro-diesel in your vehicle and it blows the engine up no manufacturer's warranty will cover the repair. Manufacturer's warranties cover parts and workmanship regardless of the type of fuel you choose to use. This is why using only high quality fuel that conforms to ASTM International quality standards (D975 for petro-diesel and D6751 for biodiesel) is important. The Magnusson-Moss Act (Title 15, Chapter 50 of the US Code) is the letter of the law. Hopefully you won't need any strategies for disputing unlawful warranty denials.
Members of Cape Fear Biofuels have logged over 100,000 miles on B100 without any documented engine problems.
What about cold flow issues?
B100 has a gel point of 36 F, meaning that the fuel will begin to solidify at this temperature. Fuel gelling can create a number of problems for your engine but can be avoided by simply running a blend (50% biodiesel, 50% petroleum) or using an after-market additive such as Diesel Fuel Supplement.
How do I get started?
For vehicles that have been running petroleum diesel we suggest running a few tanks of a 50/50 mixture which will begin to loosen deposits in your fuel system. After that, check the fuel filter(s) to see if they need to be changed. Biodiesel is a powerful solvent and the deposits may clog the fuel filter prematurely. After this initial period, normal services intervals should be sufficient.
Older vehicle (pre-1987) should also monitor fuel lines for evidence of corrosion. If corrosion occurs, installing Viton hosing will solve the problem.
Thanks to Piedmont Biofuels and the National Biodiesel Board for help with content.