Biodiesel is produced by chemically reacting vegetable oils, animal fats, or waste cooking oils with an alcohol (usually methanol), using either sodium or potassium hydroxide or sodium methoxide as a catalyst. This chemical process, called transesterification, produces the renewable fuel-biodiesel.
During transesterfication, glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil, leaving 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).
The resulting “pure/neat” biodiesel is referred to as B100. The “B” designates biodiesel and the number 100 indicates that the fuel is 100% biodiesel. Thus, a B40 would indicate a biodiesel blend of 40% biodiesel and 60% diesel.
During transesterfication, glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil, leaving 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).
The resulting “pure/neat” biodiesel is referred to as B100. The “B” designates biodiesel and the number 100 indicates that the fuel is 100% biodiesel. Thus, a B40 would indicate a biodiesel blend of 40% biodiesel and 60% diesel.