BENEFITS OF BIODIESEL

·        Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel that runs in any conventional, unmodified diesel engine. This allows the user to return to petrol diesel at any time and vice versa.

·        Biodiesel is not classified as a hazardous material.  It does not require haz-mat training, or more expensive double walled tanks for transport or storage.

·        Biodiesel can be used alone or mixed in any ratio with petroleum diesel. A blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petrol diesel is called B20, pure biodiesel is B100.

·        Biodiesel can extend the life of diesel engines due to its greater lubricity than petrol-diesel fuel.  Fuel consumption, power output, and engine torque are relatively unaffected.  Biodiesel has a significantly higher Cetane number that allows the fuel to auto ignite faster and therefore burn more completely.

·        Biodiesel is safe to handle and transport because it is as biodegradable as sugar (pure biodiesel degrades 85% in water within 28 days), 10 times less toxic than table salt (lethal dose is greater than 17.4 g/kg body weight, while for salt (NaCL) it is 1.8 g/Kg), and has a high flashpoint of about 150°C compared to petrol-diesel fuel, which has a flash point of about 70°C.  With such a high flash point it is essentially non-flammable.

·        Biodiesel is a proven fuel with over 20 years of use in Europe and well over 30 million successful US road miles. 

·        Combustion of biodiesel provides over a 75- 90% reduction in environmental pollution and a 90% reduction in cancer risks.

·        Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to meet stringent EPA tier 1 and tier 2 requirements.

Source: Biodiesel in BC feasibility study; Wise Energy Co-op

COMPARATIVE EXHAUST EMISSION CHART

Source:  Report on Bus Alternative Ford Motor Company, and Harvard University

BIODIESEL - FACTS & MYTHS

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, a B1 blend will have 65% greater lubrication then petroleum diesel.

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 are managed with the same fuel management techniques as #2 diesel. Blends of 5% biodiesel and less have virtually no impact on cold flow.

Myth: Biodiesel causes filters to plug.

Fact: Biodiesel can be operated in any diesel engine with little or no modification to the engine or the fuel system. Pure biodiesel (B100) has a solvent effect, which may release deposits accumulated on tank walls and pipes from previous extensive diesel fuel use. With high blends of biodiesel, the release of deposits may clog filters initially and precautions should be taken to replace fuel filters until the petroleum build-up is 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 less then a penny per liter, 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 and Cetane of diesel fuel. Some users reported increased fuel mileage, this effect is due to the higher Cetane value and resulting in a more complete combustion.

Myth: Biodiesel causes degradation of engine gaskets and seals.

Fact: Most if not all OEM's switched from natural rubber components to synthetic rubber in 1993. Therefore vehicles manufactured after that will have no problem with biodiesel. 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 elastomers 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. There is also a standard that is being used in Europe, EN 14214. Currently there is no standard in Canada, however most users and producers use the ASTM standard. 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: If off spec fuel is used whether it is biodiesel or petrol diesel then no OEM will warranty the engine. The use of biodiesel in existing diesel engines does not void parts and materials workmanship warranties of any major engine manufacturer.

Myth: There is no government program to support development of a biodiesel industry.

Fact: The Canadian government has exempted the road tax on biodiesel, $0.04/Li, and the Province of B.C. has also exempted the road tax on Biodiesel on blends from 5 to 50 %. This works out $0.19/Li in most of the Province and $0.21/Li in the Lower Mainland. All levels of government from the Federal Government to large cities are developing "Climate Action Plans" in response to the Kyoto Accords. These Plans call for the adoption of Biodiesel, for example the city of Vancouver's Plan calls for the city to use B20 and for 85% of diesel sold in the lower mainland be B20 by 2010. However when you look at countries with large and successful biodiesel industries there is much government leadership in the form of mandates, tax breaks, and subsidies. A good example is the US government implemented rules that mandates the use of alternative fuels in federal vehicles. This resulted in the US Military being the largest user of biodiesel in North America. B20 was adopted for use in moat national parks. This one small mandate resulted in jump starting the biodiesel industry in the US. An interesting note is that in Belgium there is virtually no biodiesel industry and there is no government leadership, yet they are surrounded by some of the largest producers in the world.

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