Fwd: Clean Alternative Fuels Biodiesel

Clean Alternative Fuels Biodiesel

http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/epa_biodiesel.pdf


United States
Environmental Protection
Agency

Transportation and Air Quality
Transportation and Regional
Programs Division

EPA420-F-00-032
March 2002
www.epa.gov

CLEAN ALTERNATIVE FUELS CLEANER AIR


Clean Alternative Fuels:
Biodiesel

One in a series of fact sheets


Success Story

The Deer Valley School

District in Phoenix, Arizona, began using biodiesel in 1999 following a
state mandate that school districts use alternative fuel vehicles to curb
air pollution. In a total fleet of 250 vehicles, 140 school buses and 5
maintenance trucks run on biodiesel. These vehicles will travel 2.5 million
miles annually in Deer Valley.

The buses use a B20 blend of biodiesel mixed on site by school district
staff; the other vehicles run on B100. Vehicles run on both reused oil and
virgin biodiesel, depending on suppliers and availability, with no apparent
differences in performance. While the school district spends more money on
fuel, its alternative fuels program receives state grant money. The
district also encourages surrounding school districts to use biodiesel so
they can order bulk quantities at a reduced price.

A blind pilot study in Deer Valley revealed that school bus drivers noticed
performance increases with biodiesel. They were baffled, however, by what
they perceived as the smell of hot dogs throughout the day?apparently from
biodiesel made from used cooking grease.

For more information, call Bill Kohn at (602) 467-5072.


Emiss ions Characteristics*

Actual emissions will vary with engine design; these numbers reflect the
potential reductions offered by a biodiesel blend (B20) and pure biodiesel
(B100), relative to conventional diesel.

? Reductions in carbon monoxide emissions of 10 percent (B20) and 50
percent (B100).
? Reductions in particulate emissions of 15 percent (B20) and 70 percent
(B100).
? Reductions in total hydrocarbon emissions of 10 percent (B20) and 40
percent (B100).
? Reductions in sulfate emissions of 20 percent (B20) and 100 percent (B100).
? Increases in nitrogen oxide emissions of 2 percent (B20) and 9 percent
(B100).
? No change in methane emissions using either B20 or B100.

* Estimates based on biodiesel?s inherently ?cleaner? chemical properties
with an engine that takes full advantage of these fuel properties.


In 1895, Dr. Rudolf Diesel developed the ?diesel? engine with the intention
of running it on a variety of fuels, including vegetable oil. In fact, when
Diesel demonstrated his engine at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900, he
used peanut oil as fuel. Since that time, however, the diesel engine has
been modified to run on petroleum-derived fuel (petrodiesel) because
historically it was the least expensive fuel available.

Today, the diesel engine is still capable of running on ?biodiesel? fuel,
which can be produced from a variety of renewable sources, including
soybean oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, and animal fats.
These sources can be obtained from agricultural feedstocks or by recycling
used oil such as cooking grease. Most biodiesel produced in the United
States is made from soybean oil due to this feedstock?s abundance.

Biodiesel is usable in its pure form, known as ?neat biodiesel? or B100. In
addition, it is available in various blends with petrodiesel, the most
common of which is known as B20 ( 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent
petrodiesel). It is also used in smaller percentages as a lubricating fuel
additive.


Availability

The biodiesel industry is continually expanding. In 1996, only 2 companies
were registered as biodiesel suppliers; in 1999, that figure had climbed to
13. Together, these companies have invested millions of dollars in
developing biodiesel manufacturing plants. In addition, two major U.S.
vehicle manufacturers have begun biodiesel research initiatives.

Biodiesel is one of the only alternative fuels usable in any conventional
diesel engine with little or no modification to the engine or fuel system.
More than 40 federal and state fleets are already using biodiesel blends in
their existing diesel engines.

To encourage its use, most major diesel engine manufacturers have affirmed
that using B20 in their equipment will not void their warranties. Although
B100 is also usable in any diesel engine, its use might void warranties.

According to the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), biodiesel can be made
available in every state, even if no fueling stations exist. Suppliers can
deliver fuel anywhere in the country, either in pure or blended form.
Farmers often order biodiesel through cooperatives. A list of fuel
marketers can be obtained by contacting NBB.


Affordability

B100 can be purchased for $1.95 to $3 per gallon, depending on the
feedstock and the supplier. In general, B20 costs 30 to 40 cents more per
gallon than conventional diesel. Although biodiesel costs more than
petrodiesel, fleet managers can make the switch to alternative fuels
without purchasing new vehicles, acquiring new spare parts inventories,
rebuilding refueling stations, or hiring new mechanics. In addition, buying
biodiesel in bulk quantities decreases the fuel?s cost.


Performance

Biodiesel maintains the same payload capacity and range as conventional
diesel, and provides similar horsepower, torque, and fuel economy.
Biodiesel has a higher cetane number than conventional diesel, which
increases the engine?s performance. It also serves as a high-quality
lubricant and can enhance the life of heavyduty engines.

Biodiesel vehicles can have cold start problems relative to petrodiesel,
but this is more of an issue for B100 than B20 fuels. For example, B20
freezes at temperatures 3°F to 5°F higher than petrodiesel, but it has been
used in upper Wisconsin and Iowa during -25°F weather with no reported
problems. B100 will begin to freeze at 25°F, however. Vehicle owners can
solve cold start problems with biodiesel in the same manner as with
conventionally fueled vehicles (e.g., using engine block or fuel filter
heaters or storing the vehicles near or in a building).


Safety

Biodiesel is biodegradable, which means it dissipates quickly after a
spill. Biodiesel has a high flashpoint and low volatility so it does not
ignite as easily as petrodiesel, which increases the margin of safety in
fuel handling. In fact, it degrades four times faster than petrodiesel and
is not particularly soluble in water. It is nontoxic, which makes it safe
to handle, transport, and store. When blended with petrodiesel, the spill?s
petrodiesel portion is still a problem, but less so than with 100 percent
petrodiesel. As with all vehicles, adequate training is recommended to
operate and maintain biodiesel vehicles.


Maintenance

Maintenance requirements for B20 vehicles and petrodiesel vehicles are the
same. B100 does pose a few concerns, however. Biodiesel acts as a solvent
to some fuel system components and concrete-lined tanks. This effect can
release deposits accumulated on tank walls and pipes from previous diesel
fuel storage, initially causing fuel filter c logs. As a result, vehicle
owners should change the fuel filter after the first tank of fuel.

In addition, biodiesel will soften and degrade certain types of elastomers
and natural rubber compounds over time, which can impact fuel system
components such as fuel hoses and fuel pump seals. This is less of a
concern with biodiesel blends than with B100. Manufacturers recommend
replacing these parts with compatible elastomers. Some newer vehicles have
biodiesel-compatible components, but users should contact their vehicle
manufacturers for specific information.


For More Information

EPA Alternative Fuels Web Site
www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/fuels/altfuels/altfuels.htm

National Biodiesel Board
1907 Williams Street, Suite B
P.O. Box 104898
Jefferson City, MO 65110-4898
Phone: 573 635-3893 or 800 841-5849
Fax: 573 635-7913
E-mail: biodiesel-b+hQtWvztp+sTnJN9+BGXg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Web site: www.biodiesel.org

Alternative Fuels Data Center
Web site: www.afdc.nrel.gov

National Alternative Fuels
Hotline
Phone: 800 423-1DOE

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