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Easier
on Marine Environment
Biodiesel is an obvious candidate for use in marine applications. Independent
tests have found that pure biodiesel is non-toxic, readily biodegradable
and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics. The marine industry accounts
for roughly 10 percent of the petroleum diesel fuel consumption market
in the United States.
Biodiesel
will not harm fish.
The 96-hr. LC50 (lethal concentration) for Bluegills for C16-18 methyl
esters was greater than 1,000 mg./L. Concentrations above 1,000 mg/L are
deemed "insignificant" according to NIOSH (National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health) Guidelines in its Registry of the
Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances.
Biodiesel
is easier on humans, too.
Vessel operators report a noticeable change in exhaust odor. The reduction
in smell and change of odor are more palatable with engine workers. In
fact, it's been compared to the smell of French fries. Biodiesel users
also report having no eye irritation.
Biodiesel is biodegradable. C16-18 methyl esters are considered biodegradable
based on their chemical nature and test data collected for experimentally
determined oxygen demand and carbon dioxide production as a percent of
calculated theoretical values. C16-18 methyl esters do not show any micro
biological inhibition up to 10,000 mg/L.
In
tests performed by the University of Idaho, biodiesel in an aqueous solution
after 28 days was 95 percent degraded. Diesel fuel was only
40 percent degraded. In a second study
done in an aquatic environment (CO2 Evolution), various biodiesel products
were 85.5-88.5 percent degraded in 28 days, which is the same rate as
sugar (dextrose). Diesel degradation was 26.24 percent.
Biodiesel
offers more environmental benefits.
For research vessels and consumers using commercial vessels, biodiesel
offers a more environmentally-friendly alternative to regular diesel.
Because it is non-toxic and biodegradable, consumers and researchers may
pressure owners for biodiesel use, especially in sensitive or protected
waterway areas.
Biodiesel
is a renewable, domestic fuel.
Biodiesel is made from renewable fats and oils, such as vegetable oils,
through a simple refining process. The by-product glycerin is used in
commercial applications from toothpaste to cough syrup. One of the principal
commodities used as a source for biodiesel is soybeans, a major crop produced
by almost 400,000 farmers in 29 states.
Biodiesel
helps speed diesel degradation when used in blends with petroleum diesel
fuel.
Biodiesel
degrades about four times faster than petroleum diesel fuel. Also, when
blended with biodiesel, the degradation rate of petroleum diesel tripled
when compared to diesel alone, according to a 1995 University of Idaho
test.
Biodiesel
can work in several marine factions.
Because biodiesel can replace or blend with petroleum diesel with little
or no engine modifications, it is a viable alternative to several categories
of the marine industry, including: recreational boats, inland commercial
and ocean-going commercial ships, research vessels, and the U.S. Coast
Guard Fleet. Today, much of the emphasis is on recreational boats, which
consume about 95 million gallons of diesel fuel annually.
Biodiesel
is a safe alternative.
Biodiesel has a higher flash point - a minimum of 260 degrees versus about
125 degrees Fahrenheit for regular #2 diesel. Biodiesel also offers low-pressure
storage at ambient temperatures, handles like diesel and is safer to transport.
Biodiesel
has higher lubricity.
Biodiesel blended at a 20 percent rate with petroleum diesel has a lower
wear scar than traditional fuel. At the 20 percent blend level, biodiesel
shows improved lubricity with low sulfur petroleum diesel containing high
or low aromatic levels. Start-up, power, range and cold-weather performance
characteristics are similar to diesel.
Even
low levels of biodiesel (1-5%) with diesel fuel offer superior lubricating
properties. Recent test results using the HFRR test showed a reduction
in wear scar from 0.61 mm to 0.35 mm using a 1% blend of biodiesel with
the base diesel.
Biodiesel
is "user-friendly."
The use of biodiesel and biodiesel blends results in a noticeable change
in exhaust odor. The reduction in smell and change of odor are easier
on ship workers and pleasure craft boaters. In fact, it's been compared
to the smell of French fries. Users also report no having eye irritation.
Since biodiesel is oxygenated, diesel engines have more complete combustion
than with petroleum.
Promising
Future for Mining Industry
Biodiesel
may offer safe, practical applications in underground mining applications.
Biodiesel
is made from renewable fats and oils, such as vegetable oils, through
a simple refining process. One of the main commodity sources for biodiesel
is soybeans, a major crop produced by almost 400,000 farmers in 29 states.
Biodiesel
is safer to use than petroleum diesel.
The flash point for biodiesel in its pure form is a minimum of 260 degrees
versus about 125 degrees Fahrenheit for regular #2 diesel. Although fires
are not a frequent occurrence in mines, they can be devastating and diesel
equipment is often involved. Biodiesel can help eliminate that concern.
Biodiesel
reduces particulate matter significantly.
The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine results in substantial
reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter.
Emissions of nitrogen oxides are either slightly reduced or slightly increased
depending on the duty cycle and testing methods. The use of biodiesel
decreases the solid carbon fraction of particulate matter (since the oxygen
in biodiesel enables more complete combustion to CO2), eliminates the
sulfate fraction (as there is no sulfur in the fuel), while the soluble,
or hydrocarbon, fraction stays the same or is increased.
Therefore,
biodiesel works well with new technologies such as catalysts (which reduces
the soluble fraction of diesel particulate but not the solid carbon fraction),
particulate traps, and exhaust gas recirculation (potentially longer engine
life due to less carbon).
Biodiesel
exhaust is less offensive.
The use of biodiesel and biodiesel blends results in a noticeable, less
offensive change in exhaust odor, which can be a real benefit in confined
spaces. In fact, equipment operators have compared it to the smell of
French fries. Users also report having no eye irritation. Since biodiesel
is oxygenated, diesel engines have more complete combustion than petroleum.
Biodiesel does not require special storage. In fact, in its pure form
or in blends, biodiesel can be stored wherever petroleum diesel is stored,
except in concrete-lined tanks. At higher blend levels, biodiesel may
deteriorate natural rubber or polyurethane foam materials. Biodiesel also
has a higher flash point, handles like diesel and is safe to transport.
Biodiesel
operates in conventional engines
Just like petroleum diesel, biodiesel operates in diesel engines. Essentially
no engine modifications are required, and biodiesel maintains the payload
capacity and range of diesel. Since engine changes are not necessary,
neither are alterations in mining vehicles or spare parts inventories.
Biodiesel
for Trans
Transit fleets report positive experiences with biodiesel. City bus fleets
that have used biodiesel include those in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Cincinnati,
Ohio and St. Louis, Missouri. Bi-State Development Agency in St. Louis
conducted one of the first demonstration projects using biodiesel blends
in Call-a-Ride vans to evaluate its suitability as a motor fuel. The evaluation
revealed that:
*
Biodiesel is a viable motor fuel
* Performance and fuel economy were unchanged
* Exhaust emissions improved dramatically
* The fuel was fully compatible with vehicle and fuel dispensing equipment
Based
on these positive results, the Agency continued biodiesel use in the entire
paratransit fleet.
Biodiesel
operates in conventional engines.
Just like petroleum diesel, biodiesel operates in combustion-ignition
engines. Essentially no engine modifications are required, and biodiesel
maintains the payload capacity and range of diesel. Pure biodiesel is
not compatible with natural rubber, sometimes found in pre-1994 vehicles.
Because it is a solvent, it can degrade natural rubber hoses and gaskets,
so those would need to be changed to more modern material if B100 is desired.
This
is not a problem with B20 blends (20 percent biodiesel/80 percent diesel)
and below.
Biodiesel exhaust is less offensive. The use of biodiesel and biodiesel
blends results in a noticeable, less offensive change in exhaust odor.
In fact, equipment operators have compared it to the smell of french fries.
Users also report having no eye irritation. Since biodiesel is oxygenated,
diesel engines have more complete combustion with biodiesel than with
petroleum.
Biodiesel
is safer to use than petroleum diesel. The flash point (the point at which
fuel ignites) for biodiesel in its pure form is more than 260 degrees
versus about 125 degrees Fahrenheit for regular No. 2 diesel. This makes
biodiesel the safest fuel to use, handle and store.
Biodiesel
has a full ASTM fuel specification.
The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) issued Specification
D 6751 for all biodiesel fuel bought and sold in the U.S. in March of
2002, marking a major milestone for the biodiesel industry.
Having
a full standard in place helps protect consumers from poor products and
reduce the cost of buying and selling biodiesel. While many adopted the
provisional specification in 1999 (PS 121), those that didn't had to negotiate
a specification. The final passage of D 6751 streamlines the procurement
process.
Those
interested in getting a copy of the standard can buy it for $30 at www.astm.org.
To contact ASTM customer service directly, call (610) 832-9585 or e-mail
service@astm.org.
Biodiesel reduces emissions significantly.
Biodiesel is the first alternative fuel to have fully completed the Health
Effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act. The use of biodiesel
in a conventional diesel engine results in substantial reduction of unburned
hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter.
Emissions
of nitrogen oxides are either slightly reduced or slightly increased depending
on the duty cycle and testing methods. The use of biodiesel decreases
the solid carbon fraction of particulate matter (since the oxygen in biodiesel
enables more complete combustion to CO2), eliminates the sulfate fraction
(as there is no sulfur in the fuel), while the soluble, or hydrocarbon,
fraction stays the same or is increased. Biodiesel works well with new
technologies such as catalysts, particulate traps, and exhaust gas recirculation.
Soy biodiesel reduces carbon dioxide by 78% on a life cycle basis.
Safer,
Cleaner Market for Government Fleets
Biodiesel offers fleet operators a safer, cleaner alternative to petroleum
diesel. Biodiesel is made from renewable feedstocks, such as vegetable
oils and animal fats, through a simple refining process. One of the main
commodity sources for biodiesel is soybeans, a major crop produced by
almost 400,000 farmers in 29 states.
Biodiesel
is a cost effective tool when complying with federal regulations.
The Energy Conservation Reauthorization Act of 1998 allows federal, state
and alternative fuel provider fleets who must comply with the Energy Policy
Act (EPAct) and Executive Order 13149 to meet up to 50 percent of their
light duty alternative fueled vehicle purchase requirements with biodiesel.
The biodiesel fuel use credit gives fleets and covered persons, who are
otherwise required under EPAct to purchase alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs),
the option of purchasing and using 450 gallons of biodiesel in vehicles
in excess of 8,500 lbs. gross vehicle weight instead of purchasing an
AFV. Fleets must purchase and use the equivalent of 450 gallons of pure
biodiesel in a minimum of a 20% blend to earn one AFV credit.
Biodiesel
operates in conventional engines.
Biodiesel blends operate in diesel engines, from light to heavy-duty,
just like petroleum diesel. No engine modifications are required, and
biodiesel maintains the payload capacity and range of diesel. Since modifications
are not required, there's no need to change vehicles, spare parts inventories,
refueling stations or skilled mechanics. Click here for a performance
fact sheet.
Biodiesel
does not require special storage.
In fact, in its pure form or in blends, biodiesel can be stored wherever
petroleum diesel is stored, except in concrete-lined tanks. At higher
blend levels, biodiesel may deteriorate natural rubber or polyurethane
foam materials. Biodiesel also has a higher flash point, handles like
diesel and is safe to transport. Users should be sure to verify compatibility
with materials exposed to neat biodiesel.
Biodiesel
costs rank well with other alternatives.
The cost of biodiesel depends on the market price for vegetable oil. In
general, biodiesel blended at a 20 percent level with petroleum diesel
costs 15 - 30 cents per gallon more than diesel alone. Given the other
advantages of biodiesel, though, an emission management system with biodiesel
is a least-cost alternative. A study by Booz-Allen & Hamilton, Inc.,
found fleets using a 20 percent biodiesel blend would experience lower
total annual costs than other alternative fuels. Similarly, results reported
by the University of Georgia indicate biodiesel-powered buses are competitive
with other alternatively fueled buses with biodiesel prices as high as
$3 per gallon.
Biodiesel
has a full ASTM standard.
The premier standard-setting organization in the United States has issued
a fuel specification for biodiesel. The American Society of Testing and
Materials (ASTM) issued Specification D 6751 for all biodiesel fuel bought
and sold in the U.S. in March of 2002, marking a major milestone for the
biodiesel industry.
Having
a full standard in place helps protect consumers from poor products and
reduces the cost of buying
and selling biodiesel. While many adopted the provisional specification
in 1999 (PS 121), those that didn't had to negotiate a specification.
The final passage of D 6751 streamlines the procurement process.
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