Frequently
Asked Questions...
What
is biodiesel?
Is it approved for use?
Why biodiesel?
What are the benefits?
Is biodiesel exhaust less harmful than petroleum
based diesel exhaust?
Can biodiesel help mitigate "global warming"?
Is biodiesel safer than petroleum diesel?
Does biodiesel cost more than other alternative
fuels?
Do I need special storage facilities?
Can I use biodiesel in my existing diesel engine?
How is biodiesel marketed today?
Where is biodiesel being used today as a fuel
lubricity additive?
How much biodiesel would need to be added to
provide sufficient fuel lubricity in diesel fuel?
Are there any warranty implications associated
with the use of biodiesel as a low level blending component
in diesel fuel?
Are there any adverse conditions that could
arise if biodiesel were to be overdosed?
Can the lubricity benefits be gained through
other sources?
What is the cost of biodiesel compared to other
petroleum based lubricity additives?
The press has reported that for some alternative
fuels it takes as much energy to process the fuel as the fuel
contains. What is the energy balance of biodiesel?
Is biodiesel safe?
Will burning biodiesel put more or less CO2
into the atmosphere?
Has biodiesel been thoroughly tested?
Who blends the fuel, and how is it done?
Which blend is best?
Are there any warranty implications associated
with the use of biodiesel as a low level blending component
in diesel fuel?
Are there any adverse conditions that could
arise if biodiesel were to be overdosed?
What is the industry doing to ensure biodiesel
quality?
How much does biodiesel cost?
Do I need special storage facilities?
Who is using biodiesel?
Who else can benefit from biodiesel?
What
is biodiesel?
Biodiesel (alkyl esters) is a cleaner-burning diesel fuel
made from natural, renewable sources such as vegetable oils.
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Is
it approved for use?
Biodiesel is registered as a fuel and fuel additive with the
Environment Agency in the UK. Biodiesel is recognised as a
valid alternative fuel. In fact, biodiesel is listed as one
of the fuels eligible for a fuel rebate.
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Why
biodiesel?
The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine results
in substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon
monoxide, and particulate matter. Emissions of nitrogen oxides
are either slightly increased depending on the duty cycle
and testing methods. The use of biodiesel decreases the solid
carbon fraction of particulate matter (since the oxygen in
biodiesel enables more complete combustion to CO2), eliminates
the sulphate fraction (as there is no sulphur in the fuel),
while the soluble, or hydrocarbon, fraction stays the same
or is increased. Therefore, biodiesel works well with new
technologies such as catalysts (which reduces the soluble
fraction of diesel particulate but not the solid carbon fraction),
particulate traps, and exhaust gas recirculation (potentially
longer engine life due to less carbon).
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What
are the benefits?
Because it is renewable and domestically produced, biodiesel
fits well to help ensure national energy security through
replacing imported petroleum products with domestic alternative
fuels.
While its emissions profile is lower, biodiesel functions
in the engine the same as petroleum diesel. Biodiesel delivers
emissions reductions while maintaining current fleets, refuelling
stations, spare parts inventories and skilled diesel mechanics.
Biodiesel can be substituted for diesel with essentially no
engine modifications, and maintains the payload capacity and
range of diesel.
Is the use of biodiesel covered under engine warranties?
Manufacturer warranties cover defects in material and workmanship,
and those warranties extend to engines burning biodiesel.
These warranties do not cover engine problems related to fuel
of any kind. Tests and demonstrations, however, have shown
that biodiesel is no different from petroleum diesel in terms
of engine performance and wear.
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Is
biodiesel exhaust less harmful than petroleum based diesel
exhaust?
Biodiesel is safer for people to breathe. Research conducted
in the United States showed biodiesel emissions have significantly
decreased levels of all target polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAH) and nitrited PAH compounds, as compared to petroleum
diesel exhaust. PAH and nPAH compounds have been identified
as potential cancer causing compounds. Results of the subchronic
inhalation testing showed no toxic results from biodiesel
exhaust emissions-¬even at the highest concentrations
physically possible to achieve. These results conclusively
demonstrate biodiesel’s health and environmental benefits
as a non-toxic, renewable fuel.
The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine also
results in substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons,
carbon monoxide, and particulate matter compared to emissions
from diesel fuel. In addition, the exhaust emissions of sulphur
oxides and sulphates (major components of acid rain) from
biodiesel are essentially eliminated compared to diesel.
Of the major exhaust pollutants, both unburned hydrocarbons
and nitrogen oxides are ozone or smog forming precursors.
The use of biodiesel results in a substantial reduction of
unburned hydrocarbons. Emissions of nitrogen oxides are either
slightly reduced or slightly increased depending on the duty
cycle of the engine and testing methods used. Based on engine
testing, using the most stringent emissions testing protocols
required by EPA for certification of fuels or fuel additives
in the US, the overall ozone forming potential of the speciated
hydrocarbon emissions from biodiesel was nearly 50 percent
less than that measured for diesel fuel.
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Can
biodiesel help mitigate "global warming"?
A 1998 biodiesel lifecycle study, jointly sponsored by the
US Department of Energy and the US Department of Agriculture,
concluded biodiesel reduces net CO² emissions by 78 percent
compared to petroleum diesel. This is due to biodiesel’s
closed carbon cycle. The CO² released into the atmosphere
when biodiesel is burned is recycled by growing plants, which
are later processed into fuel.
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Is
biodiesel safer than petroleum diesel?
Scientific research confirms that biodiesel exhaust has a
less harmful impact on human health than petroleum diesel
fuel. Biodiesel emissions have decreased levels of polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitrited PAH compounds which
have been identified as potential cancer causing compounds.
In recent testing, PAH compounds were reduced by 75 to 85
percent, with the exception of benzo(a)anthracene, which was
reduced by roughly 50 percent. Targeted nPAH compounds were
also reduced dramatically with biodiesel fuel, with 2-nitrofluorene
and 1-nitropyrene reduced by 90 percent, and the rest of the
nPAH compounds reduced to only trace levels.
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Does
biodiesel cost more than other alternative fuels?
When reviewing the high costs associated with other alternative
fuel systems, many fleet managers believe biodiesel is their
least-cost-per-compliance mile option. Use of biodiesel does
not require major engine modifications. That means operators
keep their fleets, their spare parts inventories, their refuelling
stations and their skilled mechanics. The only thing that
changes is air quality.
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Do
I need special storage facilities?
In general, the standard storage and handling procedures used
for petroleum diesel can be used for biodiesel. The fuel should
be stored in a clean, dry, dark environment. Acceptable storage
tank materials include aluminium, steel, fluorinated polyethylene,
fluorinated polypropylene and Teflon. Copper, brass, lead,
tin, and zinc should be avoided.
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Can
I use biodiesel in my existing diesel engine?
Biodiesel can be operated in any diesel engine with little
or no modification to the engine or the fuel system. Biodiesel
has a solvent effect which may release deposits accumulated
on tank walls and pipes from previous diesel fuel storage.
The release of deposits may clog filters initially and precautions
should be taken. Ensure that only fuel meeting the biodiesel
specification is used.
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How
is biodiesel marketed today?
Biodiesel has become one of the fastest (if not the fastest)
growing alternative fuel in the country. In addition, to being
marketed as an alternative fuel technology to meet requirements,
biodiesel has also seen widespread acceptance as a fuel lubricity
additive in diesel fuel.
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Where
is biodiesel being used today as a fuel lubricity additive?
The largest user of biodiesel in the world is France. They
add up to 5% of biodiesel to all low sulphur diesel sold in
that country.
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How
much biodiesel would need to be added to provide sufficient
fuel lubricity in diesel fuel?
Testing has confirmed that biodiesel can provide sufficient
levels of fuel lubricity, even at blend levels below 1%, in
current on-road diesel fuel. Testing is underway to determine
specific blend levels that would be required in ultra-low
sulphur diesel fuel (15 ppm).
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Are
there any warranty implications associated with the use of
biodiesel as a low level blending component in diesel fuel?
Biodiesel enjoys the support of the Fuel Injection Equipment
industry as an option to solve the lubricity problem with
petrodiesel. Stanadyne Automotive Corp., the leading independent
US manufacturer of diesel fuel injection equipment, supports
the inclusion of low levels of biodiesel in diesel fuel for
two reasons. First, it would eliminate the inherent variability
associated with the use of other additives and whether sufficient
additive was used to make the fuel fully lubricious. Second,
Stanadyne considers biodiesel a fuel or a fuel component –
not an additive. It is possible to burn pure biodiesel in
conventional diesel engines. Thus, if more biodiesel is added
than required to increase lubricity, there will not be the
adverse consequences that might be seen if other lubricity
additives are dosed at too high a level
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Are
there any adverse conditions that could arise if biodiesel
were to be overdosed?
No, biodiesel can be used as a pure product or blended at
any percentage with petroleum diesel. Fuel Injection Equipment
manufacturers such as Stanadyne concur that there would be
no adverse effects if more than the suggested rate was used.
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Can
the lubricity benefits be gained through other sources?
Yes, replenishing the loss lubricity that will be apparent
in future diesel fuel can be accomplished with conventional
lubricity additives either on the market today or in the process
of being formulated.
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What
is the cost of biodiesel compared to other petroleum based
lubricity additives?
Economically, these products are the same or less expensive
than biodiesel. Petroleum based additives, however, do not
have the same conservation, energy security, environmental,
and economic benefits. All of these factors need to be weighed
fully.
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The
press has reported that for some alternative fuels it takes
as much energy to process the fuel as the fuel contains. What
is the energy balance of biodiesel?
For every one unit of energy needed to produce biodiesel,
3.24 units of energy are gained.
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Is
biodiesel safe?
Tests sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture
confirm that biodiesel is less toxic than petroleum diesel
and biodegrades as fast as dextrose (a test sugar). In addition,
biodiesel has a flash point of over 125°C which makes
it safer to store and handle than petroleum diesel fuel.
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Will
burning biodiesel put more or less CO2
into the atmosphere?
A US study has found that biodiesel production and use, in
comparison to petroleum diesel, produces 78.5% less CO2
emissions. Carbon dioxide is “taken up” by the
annual production of crops such as soybeans and then released
when vegetable oil based biodiesel is combusted.
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Has
biodiesel been thoroughly tested?
Biodiesel has been extensively tested by government agencies,
university researchers and private industry in the United
States, Canada and Europe. Many transit authorities within
the US have conducted tests as well.
More than 100 biodiesel demonstrations, including three one-million-mile
tests and more than thirty 50,000-mile tests, have logged
more than 10 million road miles with biodiesel blends on US
roads.
In these tests, performance, fuel mileage and drivability
with biodiesel blends were similar to conventional diesel,
but opacity levels were reduced and exhaust odour was less
offensive. No adverse durability or engine wear problems were
noted.
The biodiesel industry also has commissioned more than 40
independent studies to research benefits ranging from improved
lubricity to biodegradability.
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Who
blends the fuel, and how is it done?
Diesel users can have their suppliers obtain biodiesel and
simply blend it before delivery. Or they can have biodiesel
delivered directly and mix it themselves. It blends easily,
stays mixed and requires no special handling.
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Which
blend is best?
Depending on the application, climate and season the blend
of biodiesel can be from 2% up to 100%.
In Europe (especially France), where low sulphur diesel has
been in-place for many years, biodiesel is added to provide
the lubrication that was lost with the removal of the sulphur.
In environmentally sensitive areas (marine, alpine) and in
mines where the maximum environmental benefit is required,
100% biodiesel is often used.
In the US, where biodiesel is in use in bus fleets, 20% biodiesel
is mostly used - to address the best current balance of emissions,
cost and availability.
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How
much does biodiesel cost?
Surveys by Booz-Allen & Hamilton Inc., Sparks Companies,
Inc., and the University of Georgia have found that a truck
or bus fleet using a 20 percent biodiesel/80 percent petroleum
diesel blend would experience lower total annual costs than
other alternative fuels when including capital requirements.
Research into advanced farming practices and more efficient
production would further reduce the cost of biodiesel.
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Do
I need special storage facilities?
Biodiesel or premixed blends can be stored wherever petroleum
diesel is stored, except in concrete-lined tanks. At higher
blend levels, biodiesel may result in some deterioration of
rubber or polyurethane foam materials.
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Who
is using biodiesel?
Although biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine, among
the first to switch to biodiesel include centrally fuelled
fleets such as urban buses. In the US, it is now being used
in transit bus fleets, heavy-duty truck fleets, airport shuttles,
marine, national parks, military and mining operations, as
well as other state and federal fleets.
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Who
else can benefit from biodiesel?
The reduction of our dependence of a 100% imported fuel and
the introduction of a renewable technology benefits the entire
country. The range of benefits include:
• Growth in rural economies.
• Reduced dependence on imported fuel.
• Improvement in balance of trade.
• Massive reduction in greenhouse emissions.
• Reduction of sulphur dioxide, one of the main causes
of acid rain.
• Reduction of other cancer causing emissions such as
benzene.
• Cheaper fuel.
• Biodiesel is a renewable substitute fuel for petrol
diesel made from vegetable or animal fats and biomass.
• It can be used in any mixture with diesel as it has
very similar characteristics but it has lower exhaust emissions.
• Using Biodiesel results in large reductions in overall
carbon dioxide emissions and it is carbon dioxide that is
a major contributor to climate change. In fact when the Biodiesel
is manufactured from waste vegetable oil the fuel is almost
carbon neutral i.e. the carbon dioxide released during combustion
and manufacture is offset by the carbon dioxide consumed during
the growth of the crops that are used to produce the raw oil.
• Biodiesel seamlessly integrates with current engine
technology and fuelling infrastructure. It’s the first
clean fuel that does not require fleet operators to purchase
new vehicles or construct new facilities.
Advantages of Using Biodiesel:
• Offers improved lubricity over petrochemical diesel
• Runs in existing unmodified diesel engines
• Higher cetane rating than petrochemical diesel for
better engine performance
• Higher flashpoint than petroleum diesel makes it safer
to handle
• Exhaust emissions are reduced
• Integrates with the existing fuelling infrastructure
• Low-risk - simple to phase in and out of use
• Local renewable source of energy
• Reduced toxicity to plants, animals and humans
• Biodegradable
Today the diesel engine is the workhorse of the 21st century.
It is used around the planet to power cars, boats, trucks,
buses and ships and diesel generators are the favoured emergency
back up supplies in the event of an electricity failure.
Using
biodiesel technologies like ours offers a chance to break
the hold of the large petrochemical companies and return production
of fuel back to small-scale local producers. The ability to
produce a high-grade road fuel using a local waste product,
without the need for expensive technology is just one of the
many advantages of Biodiesel...
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