Plant Oils as Fuels: Present State of Science and Future Developments [Paperback]

Among renewable energy resources, Biodiesel fuel made from rapeseed is of special importance in Europe. Economical, technological, ecological and toxicological arguments have been advanced implying that, at present, Biodiesel is at best just a niche product that can only compete with traditional fossil diesel fuel because of significant tax incentives. Given the present state of knowledge in these very different areas, the decisive question to be asked is whether the competitiveness, and thus marketability, of Biodiesel can be enhanced by biotechnological manipulations of the rape plant.Proceedings of the Symposium held in Potsdam, Germany February 16-18, 1997Among renewable energy resources, Biodiesel fuel made from rapeseed is of special importance in Europe. Economical, technological, ecological and toxicological arguments have been advanced implying that, at present, Biodiesel is at best just a niche product that can only compete with traditional fossil diesel fuel because of significant tax incentives. Given the present state of knowledge in these very different areas, the decisive question to be asked is whether the competitiveness, and thus marketability, of Biodiesel can be enhanced by biotechnological manipulations of the rape plant.The Biodiesel Market Today and its Future Potential.- Discussion.- Session 1: Engines for Natural and Modified Plant Oil-Based Fuels.- Engines for Natural and Modified Plant Oil-Based Fuels.- The Automotive Industrys Views of the Standards for Plant Oil-Based Fuels.- Vegetable Oil Fatty Acid Methyl Esters as Alternative Diesel Fuels for Commercial Vehicle Engines.- Diesel Engine Technologies for Raw and Transesterified Plant Oils as Fuels: Desired Future Qualities of the Fuels.- Exhaust Components of Biofuels Under Real World Engine Conditions.- Discussion of Session 1.- Session 2: Toxicological and Environmental Aspects Related to the Use of Plant Oils as Fuels.- Toxicological and Environmental Aspects Related to the Use olƒ]