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Living Without Oil - Biodiesel

There have been many times throughout industrialized history when the need for alternative fuels has come up. When they do, we are given electric cars, hydrogen power, solar power, wind power, Ethanol, Methanol, etc. Currently we have two automakers selling electric hybrid cars, cars that run on gas and electricity, and ethanol plants popping up across the landscape with great fanfare. These fuels and vehicles are very mysterious and glamorous, but at this time should they be our alternative fuel focus.
The Department of Energy defines alternative fuels as “… [S]ubstantially non-petroleum and yield energy security and environmental benefits” (“frequently asked questions” 3). By this definition, Alternative fuels are to eliminate our need for petroleum based fuels altogether. In discussions of this elimination we most often think of gasoline, but there may be an even more important type of fuel to focus on, diesel fuel.
Rudolph Diesel created the Diesel engine in 1897 (“Diesel”) and due to its thermal efficiency, its ability to convert stored chemical energy to mechanical energy, it is the workhorse of the industrialized world. This engine is found in busses, tractors, freight trucks, ships, submarines, locomotives, and many others types of transportation. It is also used in emergency electrical generators, and is even finding widespread acceptance in the automotive industry. Because of its widespread use and our dependency on this type of engine, diesel fuel is a prime target for alternative fuel investigation.
Of the fuels tested to replace diesel fuel the best alternative goes by the generic name Biodiesel. This type of fuel can be manufactured from any number or type of organic sources. The current source of choice, for two main reasons, is soybean oil.
The first reason for using soybean oils is soybeans are abundant. In the United States soybeans are grown more than any other crop except corn and wheat. Second, when soybeans are processed they are broken...