Alternative Fuel Biodiesel: role of standard Caswell Hlongwane

1. Alternative Fuel Biodiesel: role of standard Caswell Hlongwane

2. WHAT IS BIODIESEL FUEL Def: ASTM D 6751Fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetables or animal fats, designated B100

3. NOTATION Bxx: a blend of biodiesel with petroleum-based diesel fuel with xx representing volume percentage of biodiesel fuel

4. ALLOWED FEEDSTOCKS: vegetable oils • Soybean oil • Sunflower oil • Canola oil • Spent oil • Biofuels Industrial Strategy of the Republic of South Africa, Dec 2007

5. HOW IS BIODIESEL FUEL PRODUCED

6. HOW IS BIODIESEL PRODUCED • React three moles of vegetable oil with six moles methanol and one mole of potassium or sodium hydroxide • Boil the mixture whiles stirring for 3hrs • Wash biodiesel layer four times with water • Recover unused methanol by simple distillation • Purify biodiesel by vacuum distillation • Store over magnesium sulfate • Add antioxidants to improve oxidative stability of biodiesel

7. IS BIODIESEL PRODUCED FIT TO BE BLENDED WITH DIESEL FUEL • SANS 1935: 2004 • Regulated Specification • Petroleum Products Act (120/1977):Regulations: petroleum products specification and standards, gazetted June 23, 2006

8. SANS 1935: requirements, total of 30 • Six general observations • Twenty six test methods

9. BIODESEL FUEL TEST METHODS • Methods only specific to biodiesel fuel, 14 • Standard test method for each property • Type of test • Reasons why limits are set for each tested property

10. ESTER CONTENT • Specification defines minimum mass percentage of 96.5% FAME • Standard test method recommended by SANS 1935 is EN 14103 • GC-FID test method

11. Why set minimum ester content for biodiesel • Proving illegal admixture with other substances when neat • In conjunction with EN 14078, one is able to determine tax allowance when blended with petroleum-based diesel fuel

12. FREE GLYCEROL • SANS 1935 stipulates maximum value of 0.02% mass fraction of free glycerol in biodiesel • Standard test method for determination of free glycerol is EN 14106 • GC-FID test method

13. Why set a maximum limit for free glycerol in biodiesel fuel • Free glycerol separates from biodiesel during storage and in fuel tanks • Free glycerol attracts other polar compounds such as soaps, monoglycerides, etc., and causes damage to the fuel injection system • Free glycerol corrodes metals in the fuel system • Free glycerol is also know to clog the fuel filter

14. METHANOL CONTENT • SANS 1935 limits methanol content to a maximum of 0.20% by mass • Standard test method is EN 14110 • GC-FID headspace test method

15. WHY LIMIT METHANOL IN BIODIESEL • Low flash point of methanol poses safety risk during: • Storage • Transportation

16. Iodine Number and Linolenic acid methyl ester • Iodine number is a measure of total unsaturation of biodiesel • SANS 1935 limits total iodine number to a maximum of 120 gI2/100g biodiesel using EN 14111, a titration method • SANS 1935 also limits linolenic acid methyl ester to a maximum 12 % by mass using EN 14103, GC-FID test method

17. Why Regulate the Degree of Unsaturation of FAME in Biodiesel • Fuels with high iodine number polymerize at high temps and form deposits on • Injector nozzles • Piston ring grooves • These polymers also reduce lubricity of FAME • Highly unsaturated FAMEs have low oxidation stability leading to degradation products that lead to poor engine operability

18. ACID VALUE • Measure of neutralization number of mineral acids and FFA in biodiesel • SANS 1935 limits acid value of biodiesel to a maximum of 0.50 mg/g biodiesel • Standard test method is EN 14104 • Titration test method: KOH/EtOH, Phenolphthalein

19. ACID VALUE: why regulate • Corrosion within the engine • Deposits within the engine

20. PHOSPHORUS CONTENT Phosphorus in biodiesel comes from phospholipids contained in the feedstock

21. PHOSPHORUS CONTENT IN BIODIESEL • SANS 1935 limits phosphorus in biodiesel fuel to a maximum of 10 ppm • The standard test method recommended is EN 14107 • ICP-OES

22. PHOSPHORUS IN BIODIESEL: why regulate • Phosphorus decreases efficiency of oxidation catalytic converters • Increased emission of particulate matter

23. Biodiesel Alkali & Alkali Earth Metal Content • Alkali metals end up in biodiesel during production • Alkali earth metals mostly originate from use of hard water during washing stage • SANS 1935 limits alkali and alkali earth metals to a sum maximum of 5 ppm, respectively • ICP-OES

24. Why Limit Amounts of Group I and II Metals • Na and K form ash in the engine • Ca and Mg are responsible for getting the injector pump sticky

25. Problems that may arise with the use biodiesel fuel that does not meet SANS 1935 Tax evasion Damage to the fuel injection system Corrosion of metals in the fuel system Clogging of fuel filter Safety risks during storage and transportation Sticky injector pump Deposits on injector nozzles and piston ring grooves Poisoned oxidation catalytic convertor Increased emission of particulate matter Ash formation in the engine

26. SUMMARY: why do we need biodiesel fuel standard • Guideline for production process • Guarantee users a quality fuel • Approved tool for assessment of safety risks and environmental pollution • Offer engine and automobile manufactures assurances to release warranties for their vehicles to be operated on specific fuels

27. References • Biodiesel: the comprehensive handbook, Martin Mittelbach and Claudia Remschmidt, 2004 • Petrol and Diesel in South Africa, SAPIA, 2008 • Significance of tests for petroleum products, Ed 7, Salvatore J Rand, 2003 • The biodiesel handbook, Gehard Knothe, Jon van Gerpen, and Jurgen Krahl, 2005 • SANS 1935:2004, Ed 1, Automotive biodiesel fuel, Standards South Africa • Biofuels industrial strategy of the republic of South Africa, Department of Minerals and Energy, 2007 • Petroleum Products Act (120/1977):Regulations: petroleum products specification and standards, gazetted June 23, 2006

28. The End Thank you