The paper presents a feasibility study for applying biodiesel in recreational boats in the United Kingdom for the purpose of rational utilization of energy resources and environmental protection. Biodiesel has been widely used to fuel diesel engines for onshore vehicles, particularly for agriculture machinery. Application of biodiesel for merchant ship propulsion on a large scale has been seen as not an option in the near future due to the lack of availability and supply chains of the fuel. However, there has been interest in the possibility of powering recreational boats with biodiesel in order to pursue marine environmental protection.
The study reviews the current status of using biodiesel in recreational boats and analyses the market in the United Kingdom. Results on fuel availability for the sector, economic aspects and environmental benefits are presented.
Increasing the viability of alternative fuel vehicle use with developments such as biodiesel and an increasing market for vehicle resale, the options available to fleets for AFV use are increasing. Public Works—New Jersey, 2002, 133 (3), 50–53.
2.
AgarwalA KDasL MBiodiesel development and characterization for use as a fuel in compression ignition enginesTrans. ASME, J. Engng for Gas Turbines and Power, 2001, 123 (2), 440–447.
3.
KörbitzWThe biodiesel market today and its future potential. In Proceedings of Symposium onPlant Oils as Fuels—Present State of Science and Future Developments, Potsdam, Germany, 16–18 February 1997, pp. 3–12.
4.
WilliamsJ BProduction of biodiesel in Europe—the marketsEur. J. Lipid Sci. Technol., 2002, 104 (6), 361–362.
5.
MoriyaSWatanabeHYaginumaRMatsumotoTNakajimaMTsukadaMIsshikiNStudies of recycled fuel oil for diesel engine extracted from waste plastics disposals. In Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, 2000, Conference Publications 35, Vol. 1, pp. 510–515.
6.
ZhouP LWangY WRoskillyTAn investigation of droplet size and distribution in direct injection diesel sprays using phase Doppler anemometer measurementTrans. Inst. Mar. Engrs, November 2000, 112 (3–4), 103–113.
7.
SenSSenMMoitraNAn Integrated Approach to the Utilization of Low Rank Coals and Biofuel, Energy Sources Vol. 21, No. 7, 1992 (Taylor and Francis), pp. 567–572.
8.
PolydakisKEngine emission reduction with use of REM. MSc dissertation, Department of Marine Technology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, September 1997.
9.
Von WedelRTechnical Handbook for Marine Biodiesel in Recreational Boats, 2nd edition, April 1999 (CytoCulture International, Point Richmond).
10.
KernMFood, feed, fibre, fuel and industrial products of the future: Challenges and opportunities. Understanding the strategic potential of plant genetic engineeringJ. Agronomy and Crop Sci., 2002, 188 (5), pp. 291–306.
11.
SamsTExhaust components of biofuels under real world engine conditions. In Proceedings of the Symposium onPlant Oils as Fuels—Present State of Science and Future Developments, Potsdam, Germany, 16–18 February 1997, pp. 64–77.
12.
ZhouP LWangY WRoskillyTApplication and development of biofuel on diesel engines. In 2nd European Liquid Biofuels Conference, Athens, Greece, 5–7 May 1997.
13.
FetA MMichelsenOJohnsenTEnvironmental performance of transport—a comparative study. Norwegian University of Science and Technology—IOT Report No. 3/2000, NTNU, Norway, 2000.
JohnsenTFetA MScreening life cycle assessment of M/V color festival. Report 10/B101/R-98/009/00, Aalesund College, 1999.
16.
TysonK SFuel cycle evaluation of biomass—ethanol and reformulated gasoline. Report TP 463–4590, DE94000227, Office of Transportation Technology, US Department of Energy, November 1993.
17.
Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 2000, July 2000 (Department of Trade and Industry, London Stationery Office, London).
18.
FetKThe use of biodiesel in recreational boats. Final Year Project for BEng in Marine Technology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, May 2000.
19.
HauschildM ZWenzelHFotokemisk ozondannelse som vurderingskriterium ved miljøvurdering af Produkter In Baggrund for Milijøvurdering af Produkter (Ed. HauschildM), (in Danish), 1996 (Miljøstyrelsen og Dansk Industri, København, Denmark).
20.
Eco-indicator 99 Methodology Report, 2000 (PRé Consultants, The Netherlands).
21.
VerfailleH ABidwellRMeasuring Eco-efficiency, A Guide to Reporting Company Performance, June 2000 (WBCSD, Switzerland).
