Is Vegetable Oil Diesel A Viable Fuel Option?

In the late 19th century, French born Rudolph Diesel invented an engine without spark plugs, and he used vegetable oil diesel to fuel it. Fossil fuels were cheaper than vegetable oils and so petroleum became the preferred fuel for the diesel engine.

In a speech to British manufacturers in 1912, Diesel made it clear that he believed the time may come when vegetable oil sources of fuel might one day become as important as petroleum products.

Enthusiasts of the motor vehicle have experimented with alternate fuels throughout the 20th century, many of them successfully using vegetable oil as a fuel. There was also periodic research conducted in that time, but it mainly occurred when there was a shortage of petroleum. Biodiesel continued to be the preferred alternative fuel because no modifications were needed to the engine.

There are different types of vegetable oil that are suitable for use in diesel engines. There is waste vegetable oil, or WVO, that is collected from restaurants and food processing plants, after it has been used for frying food. Unused vegetable oils are referred to as straight vegetable oil, called SVO, or pure plant oil, also called PPO. This is to prevent confusion with biodiesel.

Rapeseed or canola is the plant most often used for the fuel, although sunflower oil is being researched for its suitability as well. In the South Pacific, some nations are using coconut oil as a diesel fuel, in an effort to become more independent. The coconut oil works well in places that have temperatures higher than 17 degrees Celsius.

Vegetable oil diesel is not without its problems. Because of its thickness or viscosity, it may cause damage to the engine, especially in colder climates. Engine conversions and kits are available to make it possible to use the fuel safely and efficiently, and blends of regular diesel and vegetable oil diesel are also used.

The response from government, on the subject, varies from country to country. Some governements allow the fuel to be used, other have legislated against it, some have formal trials operating but there seems to be more concern over lost revenue in fuel taxes than in the fuel itself.

There continue to be many issues to be resolved before vegetable oil diesel becomes a common fuel, including availability of supply and a united approach to making the oil more suitable for diesel engines.

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