Biofuel for transport: An investigation into the viability of rape methyl ester (RME) as an alternative to diesel fuel

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Abstract
This paper outlines some of the technical, energy, agricultural, and political factors relevant to the production and use of the biodiesel rape methyl ester (RME), made from rapeseed oil brassica napus, as a transport fuel in the UK. The study contains data and results derived from a laboratory bench test of RME against standard diesel fuel. The main advantage of RME is that it can be used as a direct alternative to diesel fuel in a standard diesel engine without any alteration to the engine or fuel supply system. It has been predicted [1] that between 1–1.5 million hectares of land will be removed from food production within the UK by the year 2000, rising to between 5–5.5 million hectares by 2010. If all of this land were used for growing oilseed rape under a rotational set-aside agricultural system, the proportion of the diesel market which could be met from this sources would be around 10–15% (1–1.5 million tonnes) by 2000 and 51–56% (5.1–5.6 million tonnes) by 2010. Despite the higher cost of RME biodiesel and the UK Government's decision [2] to make it liable to excise duty at the full rate, the fuel's environmental advantages—lower emissions and biodegradability—could permit the penetration of niche markets, e.g. boat engines on inland waterways, city taxis. The proposed EC directive to limit excise duty levied on biofuels to a maximum of 10% could increase market opportunities, especially if coupled with legislation by some cities and environmentally sensitive areas to forbid the use of transport fuels which produce sulphur emissions—RME is virtually sulphur-free. Farmers' determination to keep land in production, and the unpopularity of the EC's set-aside proposals, have contributed to a widespread interest in the production of rapeseed oil for industrial uses. The prospect of job losses as a result of cut-backs in land use could strengthen the case for RME production, as in Austria [2]. Increased public awareness of the dangers of pollution from mineral transport fuel exhaust emissions, fossil fuel exploitation, and the advantages of environmentally-friendlier biodiesel from renewable sources could provide further pressure in favour of RME production. The EC has now modified its initial basic engine emission tests to incorporate more stringent and realistic measures, and at the time of writing further changes look certain together with changes in fuel standards. These more stringent standards would seem to favour a cleaner fuel, such as RME. Analysis of the results from our bench test had the main findings as: These conclusions reinforce the results of more extensive and complex tests conducted elsewhere in Europe [42].

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