The concept of alternative, renewable energy has been in existence for over a century. Rudolf Diesel is credited as the inventor of the first diesel engine which was originally designed to run on fuel derived from peanut oil. Rudolf Diesel was quoted as saying; "The diesel engine would help considerably in the development of agriculture of the countries which use it." Unfortunately, due to the low cost of mineral oils at the time, the diesel engine was modified to run on petroleum oil. Biodiesel technology was overlooked while the demand for crude oil increased significantly as the automotive and industrial age ensued. Rudolf Diesel was well aware that renewable fuel would not be of major relevance during his lifetime when he said, "The use of vegetable oils for engine fuel may seem insignificant today. But such oils may become in course of time as important as petroleum and the coal tar products of the present time."
Inception of the diesel engine began in 1893 when the German inventor Rudolph Diesel published a paper called, "The Theory and Construction of a Rational Heat Engine". The paper outlined a revolutionary engine that utilized a piston to compress air, subsequently radiating high temperatures. The elevated temperature allowed the engine to run a variety of vegetable oils such as hemp and peanut oil. With heavy anticipation, Rudolf’s’ first exhibition of the diesel engine was put on display at the 1911 World's Fair in Paris receiving much acclaim. Diesel was a visionary who believed his highly efficient engine could help disassemble the monopolized energy and power industries. Unfortunately for Diesel, not everyone shared his vision as he mysteriously died in 1913. One night during a channel crossing aboard his steamboat, Diesel simply disappeared. His body was found days later in the English Channel. The ambiguous nature of his is death has never been resolved. Although, many speculators believe Diesel was assassinated by the German government in attempt to conceal diesel engine technology from the UK submarine fleet.
Ironically, shortly after Rudolf Diesels’ death, Germany introduced diesel engine U-boats. Germany categorized this as classified technology. Consequently, the petroleum industry capitalized on the moment by naming one of their by-products of the gasoline distillation process 'diesel fuel'. Within a matter of years, the fuel industry would be monopolized by petroleum producing plants thus causing the abandonment of biodiesel technology.
Have More Questions About Biodiesel? See our FAQ