Ethylester biodiesel

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Ethylester biodiesel is a type of biodiesel fuel made by chemically converting (through transesterification) vegetable oil or other fats into a form more suitable for burning in a diesel engine. The more common form of biodiesel is made with methanol forming methyl esters, whereas ethylester biodiesel is made with ethanol forming ethyl esters. It has very similar properties as methyl esters, which in turn are similar to diesel fuel.

Ethylester biodiesel is not as common as the methyl form because the reaction yields are not quite as high using the same reaction temperature, amount of catalyst, etc. Also, methanol is typically somewhat less expensive. (Tyson, 2004 ppg 2-3)

[edit] References

• Tyson, K. 2004 Biodiesel Handling and Use Guidelines. US Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.