Home Section Blog Fuel What are the benefits / disadvantages of running straight vegetable oil (svo)?
Sun May 20, 2012
What are the benefits / disadvantages of running straight vegetable oil (svo)? PDF Print E-mail
Written by Ben Hofer   
Wednesday, 29 September 2010 15:14

Upon conversion, your vehicle or generator can run off of all well known plant and animal oils and fats. All bio-fuels, like foodstuffs, are CO2 neutral, free of sulphur and poisons to the environment. Bio-fuels only produce a fraction of the pollutants that mineral diesels produce. Bio-fuels are renewable, relying on solar energy that has for millions of years acted as energy an carrier for nature. It can now replace fossil fuels used in any diesel run engines.

Benefits of vegetable oil run vehicles:

  • CO2 neutral
  • Economical, cheaper than diesel
  • Excellent system-energy efficiency (from raw "crude" to refined product)
  • Sulphur-free
  • Protects crude oil resources
  • 100% biodegradable
  • Non-hazardous for ground, water, and air in case of a spill
  • Low fire hazard (flashpoint > 220°C)
  • Practical to refuel at home
  • Easy to store, more ecological than bio-diesel
  • A chance for the farming community and agriculture

Disadvantages of vegetable oil run vehicles:

  • Loss of space and/or vehicle load capacity due to additional fuel storage
  • Loss of manufacturer guarantee in new vehicles for use of an alternative fuel
  • Motor oil needs to be replaced more often in a direct injection engine as a safety precaution to avoid build-up
  • Currently no public network of filling stations are available, must refuel at home
Last Updated on Friday, 01 April 2011 10:55
 

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