Biodiesel Myths and Facts

From the National Biodiesel Board

Myth: Biodiesel is an experimental fuel and has not been thoroughly tested.
Fact: Biodiesel is one of the most thoroughly tested alternative fuels on the market. A
number of independent studies have been completed with the results showing
biodiesel performs similar to petroleum diesel while benefiting the environment and
human health compared to diesel. That research includes studies performed by the
U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stanadyne Automotive
Corp. (the largest diesel fuel injection equipment manufacturer in the U.S.), Lovelace
Respiratory Research Institute, and Southwest Research Institute. Biodiesel is the first and
only alternative fuel to have completed the rigorous Health Effects testing requirements
of the Clean Air Act. Biodiesel has been proven to perform similarly to diesel in more 50
million successful road miles in virtually all types of diesel engines, countless off-road
miles and countless marine hours. Currently more than 300 major fleets use the fuel.

Myth: Biodiesel does not perform as well as diesel.
Fact: One of the major advantages of biodiesel is the fact that it can be used in
existing engines and fuel injection equipment with little impact to operating
performance. Biodiesel has a higher cetane number than U.S. diesel fuel. In more than
50 million miles of in-field demonstrations, B20 showed similar fuel consumption,
horsepower, torque, and haulage rates as conventional diesel fuel. Biodiesel also has
superior lubricity and it has the highest BTU content of any alternative fuel (falling in the
range between #1 and #2 diesel fuel).

Myth: Biodiesel doesn't perform well in cold weather.
Fact: Biodiesel will gel in very cold temperatures, just as the common #2 diesel does.
Although pure biodiesel has a higher cloud point than #2 diesel fuel, typical blends of
20% biodiesel can be managed with the same fuel management techniques as #2 diesel.
Blends of 5% biodiesel and less have virtually no impact on cold flow relative to #2 diesel.

Myth: Biodiesel causes filters to plug.
Fact: Biodiesel can be operated in any modern diesel engine that uses synthetic rubber
in the fuel system. Pure biodiesel (B100) actually cleans your fuel system. This is due to a solvent effect,
which may release deposits accumulated on tank walls and pipes from previous diesel fuel use.
When biodiesel is first introduced into an older vehicle, the release of deposits may clog filters initially
and precautions should be taken to replace fuel filters more frequently until the petroleum build-up
has been eliminated. This issue is less prevalent with B20 blends, and there is no evidence that
lower-blend levels such as B2 have caused filters to plug.

Myth: A low-blend of biodiesel in diesel fuel will cost too much.
Fact: Using a 2% blend of biodiesel is estimated to increase the cost of diesel by 2 or 3
cents per gallon, including the fuel, transportation, storage and blending costs. Any
increase in cost will be accompanied by an increase in diesel quality since low-blend
levels of biodiesel greatly enhance the lubricity of diesel fuel.

Myth: Biodiesel causes degradation of engine gaskets and seals.
Fact: The recent switch to low-sulfur diesel fuel has caused most Original Equipment
Manufacturers (OEMs) to switch to components that are also suitable for use with
biodiesel. In general, biodiesel used in pure form can soften and degrade certain types
of elastomers and natural rubber compounds over time. Using high percent blends can
impact fuel system components (primarily fuel hoses and fuel pump seals) that contain
elastomer compounds incompatible with biodiesel, although the effect is lessened as
the biodiesel blend level is decreased. Experience with B20 has found that no changes
to gaskets or hoses are necessary.

Myth: No objective biodiesel fuel formulation standard exists.
Fact: The biodiesel industry has been active in setting standards for biodiesel since
1994 when the first biodiesel taskforce was formed within the American Society for
Testing and Materials (ASTM). ASTM approved a provisional standard for biodiesel
(ASTM PS 121) in July of 1999. The final specification (D-6751) was issued in December
2001. Copies of specifications are available from ASTM at http://www.astm.org.

Myth: Biodiesel does not have sufficient shelf life.
Fact: Most fuel today is used up long before six months, and many petroleum
companies do not recommend storing petroleum diesel for more than six months. The
current industry recommendation is that biodiesel be used within six months, or
reanalyzed after six months to ensure the fuel meets ASTM specifications (D-6751). A
longer shelf life is possible depending on the fuel composition and the use of storage
enhancing additives.

Myth: Engine warranty coverage would be at risk.
Fact: The automotive industry is beginning to support the use of biodiesel in limited
concentrations. The end user should check with the vehile manufactuer for the current
level of support.

Myth: The U.S. lacks the infrastructure to prevent shortages of the product.
Fact: There are presently more than 14 companies that have invested millions of dollars
into the development of the biodiesel manufacturing plants actively marketing
biodiesel. Based on existing dedicated biodiesel processing capacity and long-term
production agreements, more than 200 million gallons of biodiesel capacity currently
exists. Many facilities are capable of doubling their production capacity within 18
months.

Myth: There is no government program to support development of a biodiesel industry.
Fact: The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in January 2001 the
implementation of the first program providing cost incentives for the production of 36
million gallons of biodiesel. Bills supporting the use of biodiesel and ethanol were also
introduced to the U.S. Congress in 2003, including one that would set a renewable
standard for fuel in the U.S. and one that would give biodiesel a partial fuel excise tax
exemption. More than a dozen states have passed favorable biodiesel legislation.

More information is available on the NBB Web site at www.biodiesel.org.

Biodiesel, a Safe, Clean, Environmentally Friendly Alternative

By: Ryan M. Couture

Edited: Cliff Weed

The first diesel engines were run on fuel derived from vegetable sources and animal wastes. Fossil fuels became the primary fuel source for diesel engines only as crude oil refinement expanded and cheap petroleum became more prevalent and easier to acquire. [1][2] With the recent advent of Global warming, high energy prices and lack of stability in regions where crude oil is found, there has been increasing pressure to find alternative energy solutions. Biodiesel, because of its many benefits both politically and environmental, is being proven time and again as a viable option to meet society’s future energy needs. [3][4] Biodiesel will become one of the solutions society will use to alleviate the energy crisis as the current energy situation worsens.

While some have heard of biodiesel, especially in recent times as oil prices have skyrocketed and the push for alternative fuels has expanded, very few know what it is, or why it is so important. Biodiesel and other renewable fuels are important due to the fact they are Carbon neutral. There is no net increase of sequestered Carbon being introduced into the Biosphere as a result of their use. [5][6][2] This is significant as we will be dependent on Carbon based fuels for the foreseeable future. Biodiesel can be mixed with conventional diesel and run in any modern diesel engine with no ill effects. [6][4] In fact, running biodiesel or blends of petro and biodiesel has been proven to be better than running petroleum diesel alone. Biodiesel blends have better lubricating properties and lower emissions relative to straight petroleum based diesel. There is also no Sulfur in biodiesel, thus Sulfur Dioxide,  a major contributor to acid rain, is vastly decreased with the use of biodiesel blends. Twenty percent biodiesel blended with petro diesel is enough to produce significant reduction in almost all greenhouse emissions, with only a small increase seen in nitrogen oxide emissions. [7][4] Another huge plus to biodiesel is its safety. Biodiesel is less volatile than petro diesel. Biodiesel is less toxic as well, ten times less toxic than ordinary table salt. [4] Biodiesel performs better in engines and burns more efficiently. [7][4] This is critical, as New England comes under pressure due to poor air quality. Connecticut is ranked the 9th most susceptible to cancer risks associated with poor air quality. Neighboring states are in a similar crisis situation. [6] Plans are underway to help curb this problem, but with deadlines for corrective action drawing near, there needs to be more done to reduce emissions. Biodiesel, with no net Carbon emission, can play a role in mitigating this crisis. [5][6][7] Studies done show that if Connecticut switched to mixtures of biodiesel for heavy duty vehicles and heating alone, we could minimally achieve a 20% reduction in petroleum use. This would also lead to improved air quality which could save annually as much as $20 million for our residents. [6] The push for biodiesel is clearly smart not only politically and environmentally, but practically as well.

Biodiesel can be made from almost any animal or more commonly plant oils. Popular choices are soybean, rapeseed, and peanut oils. [5][2] One of the most popular processes for which these oils are converted to biodiesel is called transesterification. [8][2] Taking the oils, one can react them with an alcohol such as methanol or ethanol, in the presence of a catalyst, to produce esters (the fuel) and a glycerol. As global warming has become an increasing concern, research on renewable and green energy sources has grown considerably. Biodiesel's similarity to conventional petroleum diesel has made it a very popular choice as society transitions away from sequestered Carbon based fuels. Biodiesel will be the easiest alternative fuel that can be produced and implemented into market with no minimal compatibility issues in older vehicles. Biodiesel has many advantages over conventional petroleum diesel. These benefits must be elucidated to the public and politicians alike. The use of Biodiesel and other eco-friendly fuels must be implemented in order to ease the energy demand and ecological damage currently being seen. Biodiesel has the chance to make a significant contribution towards meeting future global energy needs.  Research must be continued to meet the future energy commitment.

[1] Korbitz, W., Renewable Energy 16 (1999) 1078-1083
[2] Ma, F., Hanna, M.A., Bioresource Technology 70 (1999) 1-15
[3] Gerpen, R., Industrial Bioprocessing. Volume 27, Issue 9 (September 2005) Page 6
[4] Weeks, J., BioCycle (July 2005), 46, 7. ABI/INFORM Global Page 67
[5] Gerpen, J.V., Fuel Processing Technology 86 (2005) 1097-1107
[6] Bio-Energy: Meeting Renewable Energy Needs of Connecticut, whitepaper. UConn Biofuels Consortium (2006)
[7] Canakci, M., Edril, A., Arcaklioglu, E., Applied Energy 83 (2006) 594-605
[8] Zang, Y., Dube, M.A., McLean, D.D., Kates, M., Bioresource Technology (2003) 1-16
[9] Canakci, M., Bioresource Technology 98 (2007) 183-190
[10] Arzamendi, G., Arguinarena, E., Campo, I., Gandia, L.M., Chemical Engineering Journal 122 (2006) 31-40
[11] Graboski, M. S., McCormic, R.L., Prog. Energy Combustion Science (1998) Vol.24 pp125-164
[12] Zang, Y., Dube, M.A., McLean, D.D., Kates, M., Bioresource Technology 90 (2003) 229-240