Current State of the Industry, the Renewable Fuel Standard 2, and Key Components to Maintaining Fuel Quality in the Supply Chain from Production through End-use.
Biodiesel, a renewable liquid fuel produced from oils, fats, and/or greases brings many benefits to many different public and private sector stakeholders that currently utilize diesel fuel to power their vehicles/fleets. Biodiesel is a nontoxic, biodegradable fuel with many superior attributes to conventional diesel fuel including rural economic development, increased engine lubricity, emissions, and sustainability and conservation of natural resources versus its petroleum counterpart. In addition, as part of the recent national Renewable Fuel Standard 2 (RFS2) biodiesel volumes are projected to increase in coming years and biodiesel can now be used in many different economic sectors that currently use diesel fuel such as agriculture, underground mining, railroads, marine, and construction. Most importantly, maintaining fuel quality throughout the “supply chain” is critical to biodiesel’s success as a national alternate fuel.
Due to the projected increases in biodiesel volumes, the National Biodiesel Board will conduct a national webinar to provide market and technical information on basic aspects of biodiesel as a blend stock for all diesel fuel market sectors. Specifically, we wish to provide information to Cooperative Extension Service personnel concerning the following:
o Biodiesel Myths and Facts
o Accepted biodiesel definition by the US EPA as an alternate fuel
o Biodiesel feedstocks
o The Renewable Fuel Standard-2 and its components (sustainability, qualified feedstocks and fuel pathways, ASTM definition, OEM acceptance)
o New markets for biodiesel in the RFS-2
o Rural economic impacts
o Sustainability – air, water, and energy
o Fuel Quality Specification – ASTM specifications and components for successful operation in diesel (compression-ignition) engines
o Purchasing biodiesel – what to include in the purchase order
o Need for “supply-chain management” – steps to success before, during, and after receiving biodiesel
o On-site handling and storage
o Cold weather concerns
o Engine warranties
o Educational resources and where to get current information
Biodiesel State of The Industry and Fuel Quality - NBB USDA Coop Ext Webinar
1. Biodiesel 2012
Current State of the Industry, the Renewable Fuel Standard 2,
and Key Components to Maintaining Fuel Quality in the Supply
Chain from Production through End-use
A National Webinar for USDA Cooperative Extension Service
presented by the
National Biodiesel Board
www.biodiesel.org
2. The National Biodiesel Board
Represents the biodiesel industry as the
coordinating body for research and
development in the United States.
Founded in 1992 by state soybean
commodity groups.
Today NBB’s membership is comprised of
state, national, and international feedstock
and feedstock processor organizations,
biodiesel suppliers, fuel marketers and
distributors, and technology providers.
3. Biodiesel, n. -- a fuel comprised
of mono-alkyl esters of long
chain fatty acids derived from
vegetable oils or animal fats,
designated B100, and meeting
the requirements of ASTM D
6751.
Official IRS and EPA definition – goes to
the legal definition and to fuel quality.
4. Biodiesel (B100) Definition
Eliminates:
– Raw Vegetable Oils and Fats
– Non-Esterified Oils
– Partially Esterified Oils
– Coal Slurries
– Blends With Diesel
– Any other ‘Biomass Based Diesel’
Many of these have caused serious problems
in diesel engines in past testing….
Or have not been scientifically tested at all !
5. What is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel Reaction
Reacting: In the presence of a catalyst Yields:
100 Pounds 100 pounds
Vegetable Oil Biodiesel
or
Animal Fat
+
+
10 Pounds 10 pounds
Alcohol Glycerine
Produces mono-alkyl esters – chemically similar to petrodiesel
6. Biodiesel Attributes
Blends with petrodiesel in any Virtually Zero Sulfur
percentage — Meets ULSD limits of 15 ppm or
— Once it is blended it does less
not separate back out
Zero Aromatics Reduces Toxicity
Higher Cetane
Superior Lubricity with ULSD and
— Over 50 vs. average Reduces Black Smoke (Particulates)
petrodiesel around 44
— Smoother, more complete BTU level about 1.8% less at a B20
burn blend
High Flash Point Makes it Potential Cold Flow Concerns
Safer
— Non hazardous shipping
Biodiesel is NOT raw vegetable oil !
(over 200° F)
7. Renewable Fuels Standard 2
(RFS2)
40.0
Advanced Biofuels
35.0
30.0
BILLION GALLONS
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0 RFS1
5.0
0.0
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Conventional Biofuels Cellulosic Other Advanced Biofuels Biomass-based Diesel
(20% GHG reduction) (60% GHG Reduction) (50% GHG Reduction) (50% GHG Reduction)
Note: 20% reduction for conventional biofuels applies only to new construction
8. Feedstock Options
EPA approved pathways or those under review
Corn Oil from DGS
Canola Oil (US &
Canada)
Yellow Grease
Camelina
Animal Fats
Brown Grease
Buckwheat
Soybean Oil
Algae
9. Sustainability - Lower Emissions
U.S. biodiesel reduces lifecycle carbon emissions by 57% – 86%
compared to petrodiesel, qualifying it as an Advanced Biofuel under
RFS-2 and making it the best carbon reduction tool of any liquid fuel
commercially available.
– Biodiesel from Waste Oils, Waste Grease and Animal Fats = 86% reduction in GHG Emissions
– Biodiesel from Soy based oils = 57% reduction in GHG Emissions
Emission Type B20 B2
Total Unburned Hydrocarbons -20% -2.2%
Carbon Monoxide -12% -1.3%
Particulate Matter -12% -1.3%
Oxides of Nitrogen (NOX) +/-2% +/-.2%
10. Sustainability - High Energy Balance
Biodiesel has the highest energy balance of any
commercially available fuel, returning 5.54 units of
renewable energy for every 1 unit of fossil energy
needed to produce it. This counts all energy used
from “field-to-fuel”.
Compression Ignition Platform (i.e. diesel engine
system) is 30% More Fuel Efficient Than Spark Ignition
(i.e. gasoline, CNG, propane)
11. Sustainability – Food versus Fuel
(Co-products of Food Production)
With biodiesel, food isn’t sacrificed for
fuel. Oils and fats for biodiesel are a minor
by-product of producing food for humans
and animals.
Soybeans are 80% protein, 20% oil.
Protein meal for livestock feed is the
primary driver for soybean production
Better utilization of the oil co-product can
reduce the price of the protein meal.
— No one grows livestock for its fat
content
— No one cooks more fried food to get
used oil for biodiesel
12. Biodiesel Feedstocks
Soybean (major market share)
Corn oil Each biodiesel feedstock varies by its free fatty
acid content and the different proportions of
Canola fatty acids found in each feedstock influence
Camelina some biodiesel fuel properties
Algae
Cottonseed degree of saturation
Sunflower
Palm oil
Beef tallow
Pork lard
Used cooking oils • Cold flow properties
• Cetane number
13. Market Diversity Makes for
Flexible RFS-2 Compliance
ON-HIGHWAY POWER
USERS GENERATION
• Trucking • Municipalities
• Fleets • Electric power
• Passenger Vehicles generation
HOME HEATING MINING
• Underground
• Bioheat as new
operations
opportunity vs.
• Meets MSHA specs
natural gas
MILITARY AGRICULTURE
RAILROADS
• Jet fuel
applications
• U.S. bases
14. The Future . . . ?
U.S. Biodiesel Production
3,000,000
Reference: National Biodiesel Board
2,500,000
RFS2 Implemented
Biodiesel Tax Credit
2,000,000 Extended
Thousand Gallons
1,500,000
Economic Downturn
RFS2 Uncertainly
Lapse of Biodiesel Tax Credit
1,000,000
500,000
0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2104 2015 2016 2017
(est)
15. Economic Benefits
Biodiesel helps our U.S. economy
and improves our balance of trade.
Using biodiesel creates added
outlets for farm based products
and high paid manufacturing jobs
in rural parts of our country.
The 800 million plus gallons of
biodiesel being produced in the
U.S. in 2011 has also created nearly
31,300 U.S. jobs.
19. Solvency of Biodiesel
Pure biodiesel (B100) has a solvent effect, which
may release deposits accumulated on tank walls and
pipes from previous diesel fuel use.
With high blends of biodiesel (>20%), 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-B5 have caused filters to plug.
20. Fuel Quality
ASTM spec fuel improperly stored, transported, and/or handled can
be affected and will not be ASTM spec fuel!
Observed distribution problems could include:
o Storage tanks contaminated with water or old fuel; bacterial
growth
o Trucks not cleaned; carry-over residues
o Improper blending techniques
o Aged fuel – oxidation, precipitates, sediments
o ULSD occasionally out of spec
21. Material Compatibility
Biodiesel and biodiesel blends will form
high sediment levels when in contact
with brass, bronze, copper, lead, tin and
zinc
Biodiesel is compatible with stainless
steel, aluminum, fluorinated
polyethylene, fluorinated polypropylene,
Teflon and most fiberglass
Teflon, Viton, fluorinated plastics, and
Nylon are compatible with B100
Consult with your OEM
22. Upfront Preparation
Identify all potential seller’s – the entity from whom
you purchase
Check them out with the NBB if you are unsure
o Seller’s status with regard to their EPA registration
o Any past fuel quality problems? Track record?
Before hand: Establish consistent “Control Points”
throughout your operation long before biodiesel
arrives on-site – arrival, delivery, storage, fuel out to
customer
23. “Critical Points” to Maintaining
Biodiesel Fuel Quality
Reputable producer
checked with NBB?
All parts of
the
Certificate of
Analysis &
delivery Were transport tanks Are heated tanks
agreed upon properly cleaned? necessary?
by both
parties?
What will
be the
length of
storage?
Were all storage tanks cleaned before delivery?
Were support personnel properly educated on
Do above-ground tanks and storage and blending procedures?
fuel lines need insulation? Was fuel blended properly?
25. After Product Arrival
Verify fuel quality through a COA!
o Correct purchase order or other
documentation?
o Does it meet ASTM D6751 (B100)?
o Is ASTM D7467 (B6-B20) applicable?
Collect and Retain at least (2) quarts
of fuel at delivery.
o Collect sample initially into a clear container
for visual inspection
26. Even though people say quality is
important, at the end of the day people
look at price.
So avoid
buying off spec
product because
it looks like a
good deal
27. Storing Biodiesel
What you presently do for
diesel fuel, do the same for
biodiesel (biocides, cold flow
additives)
Biodiesel should be
consumed within 3 to 6
months depending upon a
number of factors.
Pay attention to fuel
contaminants in general,
air, water and fuel – where
are you in the U.S.?
28. Exposure to Air & Water
It is not practical to keep air from
entering the tank - air enters through
vent pipes and contains large amounts of
moisture.
Water enters mostly as condensation
from air, however vents and seals that
are poorly constructed or maintained can
allow water to infiltrate the storage tank.
Will increase the oxidation of fuel.
Do not store fuels for long periods of
time in partially empty tanks without
stabilizers.
29. Basic Blending Facts
Biodiesel can be blended with any kind of
distillate fuel, diesel, kerosene (#1),
heating oil, etc.
The more mixing the better!
Biodiesel is slightly heavier than diesel
fuels (specific gravity of 0.88 compared
to 0.85 for #2 and 0.80 for #1)
30. Biodiesel and Cold Weather Operability
Basic Facts about Biodiesel & Cold Weather
B100 freezes faster than most US petrodiesel
Untreated B20 freezes about 2-10°F faster than #2 petrodiesel,
depending on:
o the cold flow properties of the biodiesel
o the cold flow properties of the petrodiesel
o at blend levels of 20% and less (< B20), the cold weather
parameters of the diesel fuel will dominate
31. Three Important Cold Weather Parameters
that Define Operability for Diesel Fuels &
Biodiesel
Cloud Point
Temperature where crystals first appear
Cold Filter Plugging Point
The lowest operating temperature
a vehicle will operate
Pour Point
Lowest temperature where fuel is
observed to flow
32. Key Considerations in the
Distribution Chain
Understand and identify feedstocks and cloud point
o Tallow, Seed Oil, Waste Vegetable Oil, or combo
o B100, B20, B5, BXX
Understand and identify how biodiesel and petroleum are blended
o Splash, In-line, In-tank, bottom loading
o Heated / Ambient / Cold
Collect and Retain Documents
o Bill of Lading (detail type of fuel and quantity)
o Certificate of Analysis (validate fuel meets ASTM specifications)
o Chain of Custody (ensure lot traceability throughout its “lifecycle”)
o Specify your operability conditions and requirements beforehand
34. Biodiesel Handling and
Use Guide
http://www.nrel.gov/
vehiclesandfuels/pdfs
/43672.pdf
Also on
www.biodiesel.org
35. Biodiesel Resources
Call NBB: 1-800-841-5849
info@biodiesel.org
www.biodiesel.org
• Biodiesel Training Toolkit http://www.uiweb.uidaho.edu/bioenergy/
• News Releases & Information Resources
• Technical Library, Spec Sheets & Videos
• OEM Warranty Positions on Biodiesel
For further information on USDA Energy http://about.extension.org/
programs:
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/Energy.html
36. For Further Information
Richard Nelson
rnelson@ksu.edu
785-532-4999
Power Point Web Posting
http://www.extension.org/pages/26874/ag-energy-webcast-series
National Biodiesel Board
www.biodiesel.org
800-841-5849