“People will pay the extra cost for the good they are doing. I think people are more conscious of their fuel choices, and biodiesel is much greener and cleaner.”

There are many valid reasons for shying away from fossil fuels. Diesel owners are currently taking advantage of a relatively simple way to fill their tanks without using fossil fuel: biodiesel.

Some people choose to purchase biodiesel because they want to do their part to save the environment. Others choose to shy away from diesel and gasoline because they are against the war. Still others chose biodiesel because they want better, cleaner fuel options.

All of these types of people have come together to form the Milwaukee Biodiesel Co-op. The co-op was initiated seven months ago by Swee Sim, owner of the Future Green fair trade shop.

“The purpose of the co-op is to get the fuel to the people. We are into the education of the public about biodiesel. I know many people who already do it on their own, but the fuel we will supply will be ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) certified commercial fuel,” said Sim.

Sim envisions the fuel being available through pumps like the ones found at conventional gas stations. “That’s our ultimate goal,” he said.

Sim began selling biodiesel in the summer of 2007. He filled a large tank behind his store with fuel he had made from soy oil purchased from Iowa. Customers could purchase the fuel in five-gallon increments, each gallon costing about $4.50. By the end of September, the tank was empty.

Sim plans on making the fuel available again as soon as possible.

“A lot of people find biodiesel appealing because it’s renewable,” said Sim. “People will pay the extra cost for the good they are doing. I think people are more conscious of their fuel choices, and biodiesel is much greener and cleaner.”

Sim began making his own biodiesel two years ago. He was inspired while he and his wife were eating dinner at his friend’s Chinese restaurant.

The owner was about to throw away the restaurant’s used fryer grease when Sim jumped in and took the grease home to experiment. Using a Web site that showed him all the steps necessary to create bio-diesel, Sim began making his own fuel.

“It’s not really that easy,” said Sim. “There are a lot of dangerous chemicals involved. You need to know what you’re doing. I learned through the Internet and some very painful experiments,” Sim said.

The Ins and Outs of Biodiesel

Biodiesel can be an alternative or additive to standard diesel fuel. This means that it can be mixed with regular diesel or used on its own. Biodiesel is usually made from plant oils such as soy or animal fat through a series of chemical reactions known as transesterification.

Its major advantage is that it is both non-toxic and renewable. Since biodiesel comes from plants and animals, the sources can be replenished through farming and recycling.

It’s not all good, though. The use of biodiesel results in increased levels of harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. In some engines, there can be a slight decrease in fuel economy and power.

On average, there is about a 10 percent reduction in power. This means it takes about 1.1 gallons of biodiesel to equal one gallon of standard diesel.

Additionally, some vehicles need minor modifications. Diesel automobiles made from 1992 to the present need no modification to use biodiesel. Autos made before 1992 require new rubber gaskets and hoses, since biodiesel would dissolve the old ones.

Making biodiesel is not a simple process. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, fats and oils react chemically with an alcohol, usually methanol, to generate chemical compounds known as fatty acid methyl esters.

Biodiesel is the name given to these esters when they are anticipated for use as fuel. Glycerin is produced as a byproduct.

A common misconception is that biodiesels are harmful to engines. There is some truth to this: Biodiesel can clog engines. It is very solvent, and breaks down the gunk in engines that has built up from fossil fuel use. The fuel filter then becomes clogged with the mess. Biodiesel, however, is usually a more effective lubricant than traditional fuel, so it is much better for engines in the long run.

“I recommend that everyone who uses biodiesel for the first few times should carry an extra fuel filter,” said Sim.

The U.S. Department of Energy has a vast array of information about biodiesel on the Web. According to their site, Wisconsin has many laws and incentives pertaining to this fuel. Schools that use biodiesel for their buses and cab drivers who use biodiesel are entitled to reimbursements to cover the extra cost of the fuel over regular diesel.

According to the National Biodiesel Board, the United States currently produces about 75 million gallons of biodiesel per year. This amount fluctuates depending on demand.

Biodiesel use is on the rise, and the Milwaukee Biodiesel Co-op aims to further this trend.

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