Article about Biodiesel

55 billion gallons/year of diesel fuel used annually in U.S.

150 fleets of vehicles already using biodiesel

costs:

ordinary diesel $1.50 / gal

biodiesel $3.00 / gal

being pushed by soybean interests

ready, enormous source of waste fats from fast-food establishments, give it away to avoid disposal cost

Transesterification to convert triglyceride to glycerol plus esters of fatty acids

+ NaOH & CH₃OH =

+

Main alcohol so far is methanol, but toxicity is a problem

Ethanol works well