The independent research and studies undertaken by Clean Energy Consultancy suggest that with little modification, most oil fired central heating boilers could be adapted to operate with biofuel. 

 

Liquid biofuel can be sourced from pure vegetable oil such as rapeseed oil. Alternatively, liquid biofuel can be sourced from biodiesel which is produced from refined vegetable oil or used cooking oil. 

 

 

Oilseed rape flower head

 

The main advantage liquid biofuel has over other renewable heating solutions is the low capital cost of the new boiler and the ease at which existing boilers can be converted.  

 

 

A domestic combination boiler operating on liquid biofuel

 

Andrew Robertson has written a thesis entitled “Biodiesel: A Sustainable Heating Oil for the Future” and has published several technical papers demonstrating that pure and blended biofuel can be used with existing oil fired central heating boilers. The results demonstrate technical viability and result in a higher carbon dioxide emission saving and a reduced arable land requirement, when compared with road transport biodiesel.