What It Is and How It Is Made Learn the basics of biodiesel including biodiesel markets and benefits, production technologies, quality control, distribution and storage issues. A replay of the actual lecture can be found at: www.pccbusiness.com/green

1. Biodiesel 101
Presented by Randy Durren
11/02/2010
Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy08osti/43672.pdf
To view a recording of the presentation please
visit our site at: www.pccbusiness.com/green

2. Contents of Lecture
a) Petroluem and Peak Oil
b) Terms and definitions related to biodiesel
c) Advantages and disadvantages of biodiesel
d) Chemistry of biodiesel
e) Biodiesel feedstocks
f) Current state & future potential of biodiesel

3. History of Oil
Dinosaurs?
Where do we find it today?
What are the global implications of
peak oil?
An understanding of the past, present, and future states of petroleum is
essential to appreciating the importance of biofuels.

4. Extreme Global Warming
gave excessive Algal Growths
Organic debris
90 & 150
million years
ago
Rifts formed as
the Continents
moved apart
Source: Campbell, May 2005

5. Chemical
reactions
converted
organic debris
into oil when
buried & heated
Rifts filled by
sediment
washed in
from
borderlands
And then came the rains
Source: Campbell, May 2005

6. Discoveries, Production, &
Demand of Petroleum

7. New find in GOM
(Jack No. 2 test well)
• Up to 3-15 billion barrels of oil
• US consumption 20 million barrels/day
• 5 months - 2 years
• Reservoir is 8 km under sea level

8. Non-convenional reserves
(excluding gas and coal)
Produced (gone)
Proved Reserves
Undiscovered(?)
EOR
Extra Heavy Oil
& Tar Sands Shale Oil
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Trillions of Barrels Recoverable
Years Supply at
2005 Production
Unconventional petroleum resources:
(more difficult & dirty, and therefore expen$ive)
Conventional
(“easy”)
0 25 50
(Courtesy of Joe Stefani)

9. Non-conventional oil
from National Geographic, June 2004
Tar Sand
Heavy
Oil
Oil
shale
2 tons of tar sands produce 1 barrel of bitumen (~asphalt)

10. Location of Oil Reserves
www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/colombia/oilb.html

11. Global Consumption of
Oil
www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/colombia/oilb.html

12. The Greenhouse Effect

13. Making the Case for
Renewable Energy
Global Petroleum Consumption
Annual: 1.26 trillion gallons
Daily: 3 billion gallons
Hourly: 130 million gallons
Health Effects
• Diesel exhaust has over 40 constituents that are listed as hazardous air
pollutants, toxic air contaminants, carcinogens, mutagens, or reproductive
toxicants.
Economic Boost
• The US trade deficit for petroleum in 2004 was $100 billion. According to
US Dept of Labor, every $1 billion in trade deficit is the equivalent of
27,000 lost jobs.
Energy Independence
• On average, 10% of a farm’s land can provide enough energy to power the
entire farm
• What else?

14. Clarification of Terms
• Biofuel – a solid, liquid, or gas fuel derived from, or
consisting of biological material.
• Biodiesel - a fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long
chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats,
meeting American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM)
6751, designated B100.
• Ethanol - an alcohol obtained from the fermentation of
sugars and starches or chemical synthesis.
• Biodiesel Blend – biodiesel (B100) blended with
petroleum-based diesel fuel designated BXX, where XX is
the volume percent biodiesel.

15. What is Biodiesel?
• Biodiesel a fuel produced to an ASTM
standard that can be used as an additive,
supplement, or substitute for diesel fuel and
heating oil.
• Biodiesel is made from vegetable oil or
animal fats. (Biodiesel is not vegetable oil.)
• Biodiesel is recognized as a fuel by the US
Dept. of Energy, US Dept. of Transportation,
and US Environmental Protection Agency.

16. Biodiesel: What isn’t it ?
• Non-esterified oils and fats
• Raw vegetable oils and animal fats are not biodiesel!!
• Non-esterified oils and fats blended with
petroleum-diesel
• Partially esterified oils and fats
• This fuel will not meet ASTM standards
• A blend of biodiesel and petroleum diesel
• Renewable Diesel

17. Applications of Biodiesel
• As a neat fuel (B100).
• 100% biodiesel qualifies as an alternative fuel under EPAct for fleet
alternatively fueled vehicle mandates.
• As a medium-level blend (B20-B50).
• Most commonly used blends of biodiesel
• Used by private and public fleets throughout the world
• As a low-level blend (1% - 5%). Small amounts of biodiesel
can restore lubricity to low-sulfur fuels.
• 2% biodiesel blend can replace all lubricity lost from using ULSD
• 5% biodiesel blend is most commonly supported by OEM manufacturers
• Bioheat
• Biodiesel can be used as supplement for home heating oil

18. Advantages of Biodiesel
Biodegradable, nontoxic, renewable
High flash point (300°F or higher)
Very favorable energy balance, 3.2 to 1.
Lower emissions than petroleum diesel
Locally produced biodiesel supports the
local economy
The use of biodiesel made in the US
decreases the dependence for petroleum
from other nations.

19. Biodiesel is Nontoxic
• Biodiesel is the only
alternative fuel to pass EPA
health effects testing.
• Studies show it is 10 times
less toxic than table salt.
• Cancer risks associated
with diesel exhaust are
reduced 94% with biodiesel.

20. Biodiesel is Easy to Use
• Biodiesel works in any
diesel engine or oil
burner.
• Biodiesel uses existing
fueling infrastructure.
• Biodiesel is available for
delivery anywhere in the
country.
• It is as easy to “get out
of” as it is to “get in to”.

21. Things to be aware of…
Biodiesel gels and freezes at higher temperatures than diesel
Biodiesel acts as solvent in tanks and lines
Biodiesel is a solvency on some surfaces
Biodiesel can be incompatible with some hoses, seals, & gaskets
Biodiesel may be reactive with brass and copper
Shelf Life of Biodiesel

22. Disadvantages of Biodiesel
• Biodiesel has a lower energy content than diesel fuel:
– Biodiesel has 12.5% less energy than diesel per pound.
However, biodiesel is slightly heavier than diesel, so when
measured by volume biodiesel contains 8% less energy.
– Improved combustion (higher cetane number) and superior
lubricity of biodiesel make up for loss in energy content.
– Driver will not notice any power or mileage loss due to use of
biodiesel.
Btu/lb Btu/gal
• #2 Diesel 18,300 129,050
• Biodiesel 16,000 118,170
(12.5% less (8% less)

23. Disadvantages of Biodiesel
• Some biodiesel may begin to cloud and gel at
temperatures as high as 60°F.
• Biodiesel is less oxidatively stable than petroleum diesel
fuel. Old fuel can become acidic and form sediments
and varnish. Additives can prevent this.
• There is limited supply. Plant oils are widely available
but expensive. Inedible animal fats are less expensive
but have limited supply.

24. History of Diesel Engines
• 1900 – Dr. Rudolph Diesel
demonstrated his engine using
peanut oil at the World’s Fair.
• The diesel engine utilized high
compression for ignition.
• Original diesel engines were capable
of burning wide variety of fuels,
including vegetable oils.
“The use of plant oil as fuel may seem insignificant today.
But such products can in time become just as important
as today’s kerosene and coal-tar-products”
-Rudolph Diesel

25. Engine Warranties
Use of biodiesel in your vehicle will not
void your warranty!
• The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is a federal law protecting
consumers from deceptive warranty practices.
• Many engine manufacturers have stated recommendations of
biodiesel blends for use in their engines.
More details on biodiesel and engine warranties can be found on
the National Biodiesel Board website.

26. Biodiesel Emissions
Regulated B100 B20
Total Unburned Hydro Carbons -93% -30%
Carbon Monoxide -50% -20%
Particulate Matter -30% -22%
Nox (in vehicles – reductions in boilers/burners!) +13% +2%
Non Regulated
Sulfates -100% -20%
PAH (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) -80% -13%
nPah (nitrated PAH) -90% -50%
Ozone Potential of speciated HC -50% -10%
Mutagenicity -80%-90% -20%
• Overall greenhouse gas emissions from biodiesel are reduced
by 40% compared to petroleum diesel.
 Biodiesel is the first and only alternative fuel to have a
complete evaluation of emissions results and potential health
effects submitted to the US EPA under the Clean Air Act 211
(b) Both Tier I and Tier II have been completed

27. The Biodiesel Reaction
• Produced by a chemical reaction between
alcohol and an oil or fat facilitated by a catalyst.
Plant oil (100 lbs) + methanol (10lbs) 
Biodiesel (100lbs) + glycerin (10 lbs)
• This process is called transesterification

28. List of Raw Materials
• Oil or Fat
 Soy
 Canola
 Cottonseed
 Poultry Fat
 Beef Tallow
 Pork Lard
 Restaurant Grease
• Alcohol
 Methanol
 Ethanol
 Isopropanol
 Butanol
• Catalyst
 Sodium Hydroxide
 Potassium Hydroxide

29. Transesterification
A “free fatty acid” (FFA) chain that
has broken off the “fat” molecule
Steam from cooking foods, salts,
chemicals, and heat break chains off
triglycerides to produce FFAs
Vegetable oil molecule
(Triglyceride)
FFA combines with alcohol molecule
to make an alkyl ester (Biodiesel)

30. Transesterification
Fatty Acid Chains
Glycerol
Methanol
One triglyceride molecule is converted into three
mono-alkyl-ester (biodiesel) molecules
Biodiesel
Triglyceride
Catalyst

31. Transesterification Material
Balance
Oil or FatCatalyst Methanol
Acidulation
Acid
Methanol
Removal
Water
Glycerine Esters
FFA
Methanol
Removal
Waste Water
Excess Methanol 50
> 99%
Crude Glycerin Biodiesel
Washing
Reaction and Separation
Methoxide

32. Micro-production aka
“Home brewing”
To learn more about micro-production of biodiesel please refer to the
following links.
• www.biodiesel.infopop.cc
• Biodiesel discussion forums
• www.biodieselcommunity.org
• Home of the collaborative biodiesel tutorial
• www.biodieselnow.com
• Biodiesel blogs, discussion groups, production equipment sales
• www.tdiclub.com
• Website dedicated to those who love Volkswagen TDIs
• www.b100supply.com
• Tutorials, “appleseed” reactor kits, production equipment, books
• www.biofuels.coop
• Education, consulting, free tours of facility every Sunday
• www.utahbiodieselsupply.com
• Free online video tutorials and lots more

33. First Generation Biofuels
• Uses high value feedstocks which lead to
the food vs. fuel discussion
• Require large land investments
• Utilizing inefficient production methods
• Generally do not accomplish perceived
goals

34. Comparing Potential Oil Yields from different
crops
Crop Oil Yield
Gallons/acre
Corn 18
Cotton 35
Soybean 48
Mustard seed 61
Sunflower 102
Rapeseed 127
Jatropha 202
Oil palm 635
Algae “10,000”
Source: Wikipedia.org

35. Potential of Fats & Oils
Vegetable Oil Production
(Billion pounds/yr)
Soybean 18.34
Peanuts 0.22
Sunflower 1.00
Cottonseed 1.01
Corn 2.42
Others 0.67
Total Veg. Oil 23.66
Animal Fats
(Billion pounds/yr)
Edible Tallow 1.63
Inedible tallow 3.86
Lard & Grease 1.31
Yellow Grease 2.63
Poultry Fat 2.21
Total Animal Fat 11.64
35.3 billion lbs of fats and oils could produce
about 4.6 billion gallons of biodiesel.
Combined Total: 23.66 + 11.64 = 35.3 billion lbs/yr

36. On-highway Diesel (billion gallons)
1998 30.15
1999 32.06
2000 33.13
2001 33.22
2002 34.31
2003 37.10
2004 37.02
2005 38.05
Sales of On-highway
Diesel Fuel
If all of the vegetable oil and animal fat were used to produce
biodiesel, we could only replace about 15% of the current
demand for on-highway diesel fuel.
Sales of On-highway Diesel Fuel
Energy Information Administration
www.eia.doe.gov
Total Annual Production of US Fats and Oils.
from Pearl, G.G., "Animal Fat Potential for
Bioenergy Use," 2002

37. Next Generation Biofuels
Changes must take place in the biodiesel
industry in order for biofuels to have a more
positive global impact.
• The use of low food value, high yielding crops is imperative to the
growth and success of the industry.
• Advancements in production technology must also occur. Highly
efficient production methods are vital to competing with the much larger
petroleum industry.
• Stringent quality control standards must be upheld to provide consumers
with confidence in the biodiesel they are purchasing.

38. Sustainable Biodiesel
Sustainable - meeting the needs of today without
compromising the needs of future generations.
• Although biodiesel is produced largely from renewable resources, it is not always
produced sustainably.
• Environmental stewardship, social impacts, and fiscal responsibility are all key factors in
creating sustainable fuel from a renewable resource. Without these components, biofuels
is just as non-renewable as petroleum.
o Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance www.sustainablebiodieselalliance.com
o Organization committed to making sustainable biodiesel an industry standard
o Sustainable Biodiesel Summit www.sustainable-biodiesel.org
o An annual event held to support the sustainable biodiesel industry and to educate about the importance of
sustainability in the entire biodiesel industry.
o National Biodiesel Board Sustainability Task Force www.biodiesel.org

39. Biodiesel Quality
ASTM D 6751 Standards
• Fuel quality is critical for
proper functioning
• Standards ensure
satisfactory operation in
diesel engines
BQ 9000 Certification
• Certifies biodiesel
producers and marketers
• Provides confidence in
biodiesel quality for:
– Biodiesel Producers
– Engine and Vehicle Manufacturers
– Distributors
– Consumers

40. Biodiesel Standard
ASTM D 6751
Property Test method Limits Units
Flash point (closed cup) D 93 93.0 min oC
Water and sediment D 2709 0.050 max % volume
Sulfated ash D 874 0.020 max % mass
Sulfur D5453 0.05 or 0.0015 max a % mass
Cloud point D 2500 Report oC
Acid number D 664 0.50 max mg KOH / g
Free glycerin D 6584 0.020 % mass
Total glycerin D 6584 0.240 % mass
Oxidation Stability EN 14112 3 min hours
Workmanship Free of undissolved water, sediment, & suspended matter
Carbon residue D 4530 0.050 max % mass
Kinematic viscosity, 40 oC D 445 1.9-6.0 mm2 / s
Copper strip corrosion D 130 No. 3 max
Phosphorus content D 4951 0.001 max % mass
Distillation temperature,T90 AET D 1160 360 max oC
Sodium/Potassium, combined EN 14538 5 max, combined ppm
Cetane number D 613 47 min
Calcium & Magnesium EN 14538 5 max ppm
(ug/g)
Tests in bold type are considered to be critical testing parameters for biodiesel.
a) The limits are for Grade S15 and Grade S500 biodiesel, respectively.
S15 and S500 refer to maximum sulfur specifications (in ppm).

41. Certificate of Analysis
• Provides consumers
with the assurance
that the fuel they
are purchasing
meets ASTM
standards set for
biodiesel.
• Should clearly state
each test performed
on fuel being sold
by producer.
• Failure of any
quality control test
should prevent the
sale of fuel for on-
road use.

42. What Can I Do?
• Drive Less
– Consolidate shopping trips/days
– Carpool – HOV lanes rock!
– Live close to work
• Eat “Closer to Home”
– Farmers Markets, CSA…use less petroleum and support the local economy at the
same time
– Diet choices have significant impact on oil use
• Make your next vehicle a more fuel efficient one
– A more efficient vehicle = Lower fuel costs
• Conserve energy at home - Painlessly
– CF lights
– Turn your hot water heater down
– Turn off lights/appliances when not in use
• Support Renewable Fuels

43. Conservation
It’s important to remember that while biodiesel may be a better option than
petroleum diesel; the use of less natural resources is ultimately the only
answer to the problem of peak oil, climate change, unsustainable fuel
production, etc.
As the global human population increases, the demand for all natural
resources will rise also. Conservation, efficiency, and appropriate
technology are all necessary for our society to continue enjoying the
quality of life we have come to know in North Carolina.
The only thing better than burning biodiesel is not burning fuel at all.

44. Summary
• Biodiesel is an alternative fuel for diesel engines that can
be produced from renewable materials.
• Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine with
modification.
• Biodiesel’s advantages include emissions, farmer support,
ease & safety of use, and higher lubricity .
• Biodiesel’s disadvantages include difficultly in cold weather
and slightly lower energy content than diesel.
• The health effects of biodiesel use are superior to those
from diesel exhaust.
• Biodiesel has the potential to have a dramatic impact
creating jobs and supporting local fuel production.