Environmental Benefits of Rapeseed Methyl Ester Use as Fuel for Diesel Engines

Abstract

The continuously increasing number of auto vehicles that determine a substantial growth of greenhouse gas emissions, along with the decrease of fossil fuel supply and the increase of its price, make necessary the intensification of research for less polluting, alternative fuels for car engines. Through the laws adopted by governments around the world and the huge funds allocated, biofuels receive growing attention as they are considered the number one substitute for fossil fuels. This paper focuses on some aspects concerning the use of biodiesel with regard to its environmental benefits. Even if vegetable oils as fuel for diesel engines are principally considered to be CO₂ neutral, yet there are significant carbon dioxide emissions from the cultivation and conversion processes. The Life Cycle Assessment is used to evaluate and compare the environmental effects when using rapeseed oil (RO), rapeseed oil methyl ester (RME) or diesel fuel. The results show benefits first in favor of RO then RME compared to diesel fuel; this indicates the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and finite energy consumption through the substitution of conventional petro diesel with RO and RME.