Biodiesel as One of the Options for Saving from Global Warming

In January 03, 2018, Assemblym Phil Ting, Cristina Garcia, McCarty and coauthors introduced Assembly bill “Clean Cars 2040 Act.”(Ting, & Garcia, & Carty, 2018). This bill clearly stated “This bill would, commencing January 1, 2040, prohibit the department from accepting an application for original registration of a motor vehicle unless the vehicle is a zero emissions vehicle, as defined”(Ting, & Garcia, & Carty, 2018). It means that by year 2040 gas and diesel operated cars will be banned in California. Diesel cars should not be banned in California.

At the end of 1890 Rudolph Diesel design unique engine, science then it has been most popular engine ever invented. This groundbreaking design printed in the article Theory and Construction of a Rational Heat Motor in 1885 (Karwatka, 1997). Rudolph Diesel was raised in France by German parents who have to move there because of Franco-Prussian war. Growing up he was a curious boy who decided to be an engineer at age 14. So, at the end of Franco-Prussian war his parents send young boy back to Germany to live with his relatives. His uncle was a professor of mathematics in the local college at that time. Rudolph Diesel’s determination and commitment help him graduate from academy with honors. When Rudolph was 22 years old, his professor from academic school invited him to France so they could work together on the new ice plant. It was a great opportunity for young Rudolph Diesel to establish his name as one of greatest engineers in Germany, which he was able to do in a very swift manner. However, he always dreamed to being engineer-inventor and create something groundbreaking in machine industries. So in 1885, he opened his own laboratory where he started working on the new creation. It took him almost 15 years before the first experimental engine was released with specific parameters, “The air should be highly compressed to allow for more effective combustion process” ( Scoltock, 2011 ). Thus, biodiesel fuel would be used in the new engines, which will increase productivity and potentially can substitute other engines ones and for all. In late 19th century steam engines was main force driven farmers economy, but they were unreliable and inefficient: “they were only 6% thermodynamically efficient and the gasoline engine, while better, could still manage only 12% but, his refined powertrain had a theoretical efficiency of more than 75%”(Scoltock, 2011). So this new innovation would be groundbreaking improvement in reducing fuel consumption. Many years have past before his first prototype was presented “At the 1900 World's Fair, Diesel demonstrated his new engine powered by peanut biodiesel. Diesel noted at the World Fair demonstration that his vision was that fuel for his engine would be grown in the area where the diesel powered vehicles would be used” (Roberson, 2007). It was revolutionary innovation with great visionary intuition that we are still using it up to this day.

Ecologically friendly fuel can be obtained from local suppliers who produce environmentally friendly biodiesel by recycle of used and plant oils. This transformation is known as “Enzymatic transesterification of cottonseed oil with methanol in a green, zero waste discharge process, was purified to meet the international specifications”(Soham, & Ramkrisha, 2013). It has gained much attention in recent years since it has many ecological advantages that local recyclable companies can supply with. This new biofuel has a significant impact on current ecological problems such as global warming, carbon monoxide production, unburned hydrocarbons with smog “The emission characteristics of the engine with the blends were such that significant environmental benefits could be accrued, as the average emissions of CO, CO2, smoke and unburned hydrocarbons (HCs) got considerably reduced by 33.3%, 8.4%, 43.4% and 29.4% respectively”(Soham, & Ramkrish, 2013). Therefore, significant reduction in greenhouse gasses could potentially benefit people to improve ecological environment in California. By reducing those gases in California it could produce significant impact globally in reducing global warming. Therefore this ecologically clean process could help reduce amount of natural fuel we are burning, because it is our main supplier of energy up to this day in the world.

Diesel cars, which have better mile range per gallon, will help Californians, to improve air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency provided data asserting “ a diesel passenger car can travel 20 to 35 percent farther on a gallon of diesel compared with gasoline”(Efficient Diesel Engines, 2018). This estimation clearly revealed that new technology in diesel car industries significantly bypass gasoline cars in mile range per gallon. Due to these changes, sales of diesel-powered vehicles are being increased: “Sales of diesel-powered passenger vehicles rose 71.3% in 2007 compared with 2006”(Diesel vehicle sales soar, 2008). With new and improved engines they have better fuel mileage. Drivers can achieve better result than other fuel combustion engines and use be more efficient with gas. This leads to using less fuel and eventually being more environmentally friendly. The majority of carbon dioxide epidemic being the results of the human behavior; so it is our responsibility to increase air quality by utilizing new technology that we have developed. Therefore, adapting new and improved diesel cars innovations in California, which have greater fuel mileage would decrease fuel burning and help to lower carbon dioxide productions.

Opponents of diesel cars claim that diesel engines emission are one of the worst air poisonous materials, calling the particles from diesel engines “the most serious, the most dangerous and diesel emissions are to blame for state wide choking air conditions” (Moroz, 2005). This is how diesel cars have been described before. However, it may have been true 20 or 30 years ago, but it is not true today. The advancements in new diesel technology, environmentally friendly fuel production, made diesel cars are more popular than ever, while still being able to comply with strict pollution guidelines. Therefore, they required complying with new pollution emission guidelines “The California guidelines limited tailpipe emissions of nitrogen oxides, a major smog contributor, to 0.07 grams a mile -- significantly tougher than the current European limit of 0.29 grams a mile”(Zeller, 2018). In addition, we are not sacrificing power or efficiency of diesel engine with this high standard, which make these cars even more appealing in the future by utilizing new biodiesel technology “As the average emissions of CO, CO2, smoke and unburned hydrocarbons (HCs) got considerably reduced by 33.3%, 8.4%, 43.4% and 29.4% respectively” (Soham, & Ramkrish, 2013). Therefore, diesel cars should not be banned in California and society should be able to use new technology in fight with global warming.

In conclusion, diesel cars are coming back to California even though competition with gasoline car industries still at the high level. However, this recent groundbreaking innovations in diesel cars productions makes them fuel efficient and ecologically cleaner better than ever before. Therefore, we should not ban diesel cars in California and allow this groundbreaking innovations fight to reduce carbon dioxide and greenhouse effect pollutions until we’re able to develop 100% clean and environmentally friendly source of transportation. 

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