Making Antifreeze from Biodiesel
by Justin Thomas, Virginia 
on 08.21.05
Not only can you fill your tank with biodiesel, a new advance could let you fill your vehicle's cooling system with a biomass-derived antifreeze. A new process has been developed at the University of Missouri-Columbia for converting glycerin, a byproduct of the biodiesel production process, into propylene glycol, which can be used as nontoxic antifreeze for automobiles. Researchers say the new propylene glycol product will meet every performance standard, is made from domestic soybeans and is nontoxic. This technology can reduce the cost of biodiesel production by as much as $0.40 per gallon of biodiesel. :: RE Access story
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Its the same molecule but from different feedstock: e.g. not made from natural gas or oil. What will be different is that the residual materials that currently come from the petrochemical processes will be absent or "different": e.g. catalyst residues and other trace glycols may still exist in the new propylene glycol but their properties may differ.
Unless the laws of the universe have changed recently, toxicity hazard will be the same regardless of feedstock. From one of the common MSDS'.
Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------
Inhalation:
No adverse health effects via inhalation.
Ingestion:
Relatively non-toxic. Ingestion of sizable amount (over 100ml) may cause some gastrointestinal upset and temporary central nervous system depression. Effects appear more severe in individuals with kidney problems.
Skin Contact:
Mild irritant and defatting agent, especially on prolonged contact.
Eye Contact:
May cause transitory stinging and tearing.
Chronic Exposure:
Lactic acidosis, stupor and seizures have been reported following chronic ingestion.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Kidney disorders.
Environmental Fate:
When released into the soil, this material is expected to readily biodegrade. When released into the soil, this material is expected to leach into groundwater. When released into water, this material is expected to readily biodegrade. When released into the air, this material is expected to be readily degraded by reaction with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals. When released into the air, this material is expected to have a half-life between 1 and 10 days.