+359 82 817 400
office@bulmarket.bg
Ruse, bul. Tutrakan 100
Biodiesel
Fuel
Biodiesel is a biofuel made from vegetable oils (raw or used) or animal fats. It is a clear liquid and has characteristics close to those of petroleum diesel, which is why it is extremely suitable as a fuel for standard diesel engines without the need for further modifications. Biodiesel can be used both in its pure form and as an additive to regular diesel. Adding biodiesel to regular diesel leads to its improvement. One of the reasons is the better lubricating qualities of biodiesel compared to petroleum.
Biodiesel is sulfur-free, eliminating the need to use synthetic potassium-based oils to limit engine corrosion caused by sulfuric acid condensation and sulfur dioxide and trioxide. Biodiesel contains 11% oxygen, which helps it burn better. When using biodiesel as an alternative to petroleum, similar qualities are observed in terms of power and torque.
Biodiesel has a cetane number more suitable for engines (value between 45.8 to 56.9) and almost the same calorific value. The use of biodiesel leads to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, because when it is burned, like other biofuels, it emits only as much carbon dioxide as is needed for plant growth, which is why it is also considered environmentally neutral.
METHODS OF PRODUCTION
The main raw material for the production of biodiesel, in addition to oil crops, is also waste (used) oils and animal fats from public catering establishments. Fats are known to be esters of the trivalent alcohol glycerol and three molecules of higher fatty acids, which is why they are also known as triglycerides (triacylglycerols).
Three main processes are used to produce biodiesel from oils and fats – base-catalyzed oil transesterification, direct acid-catalyzed oil transesterification, converting the oil into its fatty acids and then into biodiesel. The vast majority of biodiesel produced today is through base-catalyzed transesterification. The reasons for preferring this process are primarily its economy, its operation at low temperatures and pressures, and its ability to achieve a conversion rate of up to 98%.
Astra Bioplant, part of the Bulmarket Group, is the largest producer of biodiesel in Bulgaria, reaching the top 5 among the largest in Europe with over 300,000 tons produced and over 1,000,000 tons of biofuels sold.
The company concentrates on the realization of second-generation biodiesel, which is mainly produced from waste raw materials such as used cooking oils and residual fats.
Back in 2007, we saw the huge potential that biodiesel has. Since the beginning of our commercial activity, we believe that the world should move towards more sustainable behavior and we have tried over the years to navigate our activity in such a direction. For years, the production and sale of biodiesel brought with it difficulties that we had to consider carefully along the way. Over time, however, our faith paid off – today the world is increasingly aware of the benefits of low-emission alternative fuels and the transition to their increasing presence in economic life is escalating.
By 2030, more than a quarter of all fuels will be sustainable and renewable, meaning they will come from renewable plant sources and from the processing of waste products. Our vision that the world deserves a more sustainable existence and will want a transformation of the economy is being crowned with success and this is an excellent indicator of the future we are building now and want to leave for those after us.
+359 82 817 400
office@bulmarket.bg
гр. Русе, бул. Тутракан 100