July 2008, Work Truck - Feature
Industry Groups Address Expanding Biodiesel Use
By Richard Nelson
Industry Addresses Quality Standards
Biodiesel is designed for use in compression ignition engines. When considering or using biodiesel, modern fleet managers are concerned about engine warranties, cold weather performance, moisture, engine part degradation, and consistent fuel quality.
Fuel quality is of the utmost concern and importance to the biodiesel industry. Biodiesel fuel quality can be affected throughout the total fuel supply chain from receipt of the biodiesel feedstock (oil, fats, or grease) through utilization in a diesel vehicle. Biodiesel fuel quality can be affected by:
- Storage tanks contaminated with water or old fuel, which can lead to sediment accumulation and/or bacterial growth.
- Transport trucks that have not been properly cleaned and contain carry-over residues.
- Impurities in base biodiesel feedstocks, such as moisture, free fatty acids, proteins, etc.
The biodiesel industry has undertaken two significant measures to address total "system" fuel quality (from receipt of biodiesel feedstock through vehicle utilization). The measures aim to help ensure a product that consistently meets industry specifications for the safe operation of biodiesel in modern compression-ignition engines.
The industry measures include the development and continual upgrade of an ASTM specification devoted solely to biodiesel fuels and a national, voluntary fuel quality program, BQ-9000. All engine manufacturers require bio- diesel, regardless of the blend level they warranty, to meet the ASTM D6751 specification.
ASTM D6751 is the specification for biodiesel fuels irrespective of the feedstock source and/or processing method. The current ASTM specification contains 19 physical and chemical parameters that if met, help ensure safe engine operation and will not void engine warranties.
Most major engine manufacturers allow use of 5-percent biodiesel in their engines, provided the B-100 used as a blend stock meets ASTM specification prior to blending. Current statements by major engine manufacturers concerning biodiesel use in their individual engines can be found on the NBB Web site (www.biodiesel.org).
These parameters range from the amount of glycerin present after production and the stability of the finished biodiesel to biodiesel’s flash point. If any one of these parameters is not met, serious engine problems can occur, such as filter clogging and injector coking if the glycerin levels exceed specified levels or corrosion if the methanol level is too high.
In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which has certified biodiesel as a legal alternate fuel, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which administers the funds for the "blenders" tax credit, only recognize biodiesel that meets the current ASTM specification.
ASTM D6751 Sets Standard for B-100 Use
ASTM D6751 is the approved standard for B-100 used in blending up to B-20 in the U.S. ASTM has approved D6751 for B-100 use, but only for up to B-20 in the final blend. Higher blends have been and are currently being used, but these must be checked with the OEM before use.
A specification for blend levels up to 5 percent with petroleum diesel is currently being considered and would require no separate labeling as long as the B-100 used for blending meets or exceeds current ASTM specifications. There would be no changes to the diesel fuel specification, ASTM D375. Additionally, a separate biodiesel specification for biodiesel blends of 6-20 percent inclusive will be a stand-alone specification with a separate ASTM number.
BQ-9000 Covers Production to End-Use
Biodiesel fuel produced correctly to meet all specifications outlined in ASTM D6751 can still encounter problems after it is produced. Overall, BQ-9000 covers production at the plant: feedstock to fuel; distribution, storage, and handling; and consumer storage, dispensing, and use.
The fuel can become contaminated as it is loaded into transport vehicles (trucks, rail cars, or ships), stored or blended at the petroleum distributor, or stored at the point of end-use. Due to the potential likelihood of this contamination, the biodiesel industry’s BQ-9000 product quality program will help insure biodiesel quality in the United States throughout the total production and end-use system, "cradle-to-grave." The BQ-9000 program’s major objectives are to:
- Promote the commercial success and public acceptance of biodiesel.
- Help assure biodiesel fuel is produced to and maintained at the industry standard, ASTM D6751.
- Avoid redundant testing throughout the production and distribution system, saving biodiesel producers and marketers time and money by minimizing problems with "out of specification fuel."
Other goals of the BQ-9000 program are to provide level of confidence in biodiesel use for:
- Users (individuals, fleets, government agencies, etc.).
- Engine and vehicle companies, critical to the developing stages of this industry.
Formed by the NBB, the BQ-9000 program provides system-based standards to fulfill ASTM requirements. The program determines Accredited Producers and Certified Marketers. BQ-9000 accredits companies, not fuel; it should be noted that there is no such thing as "BQ-9000 biodiesel." However, BQ-9000 does help insure produced and sold biodiesel meets ASTM D6751 specifications.