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Biodiesel Utilization

Biodiesel Utilization. Ann Brennan, Manager Technology Integration Group Center for Transportation Technologies & Systems. Mobilizing NC Conference April 18, 2007. What is NREL?. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO

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Biodiesel Utilization

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  1. Biodiesel Utilization Ann Brennan, Manager Technology Integration Group Center for Transportation Technologies & Systems Mobilizing NC Conference April 18, 2007

  2. What is NREL? • National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO • Nation’s premier laboratory dedicated to renewable energy and energy efficiency R&D • Established by U.S. Department of Energy in 1977 • Programs span basic science to technology implementation; solar, wind, and buildings to fuels and vehicles • Center for Transportation Technologies and Systems • Advanced Vehicle Systems: hybrids and PHEVs, auxiliary loads, energy storage, tires • Fuels Performance: renewable and advanced fuels research and testing, ReFUEL vehicle lab • Technology Evaluation & Integration: fleet evaluation; data and information; support to fleets, Clean Cities, Alternative Fuels Data Center

  3. What is biodiesel? • Mono-alkyl esters of fatty acids (i.e., methyl or ethyl esters) • Mostly made from soybean oil; also other oils, waste fats & grease • Made in chemical reaction that combines oil, alcohol, and catalyst • Must meet the quality requirements of ASTM D6751 • Typically used as blend with petrodiesel (up to 20%) • $1/gal tax credit for agri-biodiesel (vegetable oil/animal fat), $0.50/gal for waste cooking oil – initiated in January 2005

  4. What is NOT biodiesel? • Biodiesel is NOT unrefined vegetable oil or used cooking oil • The much higher boiling point and viscosity of straight vegetable oil leads to engine carbon deposits, reducing engine life or increasing maintenance costs • Fact sheet can be found here http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy06osti/39733.pdf

  5. How is Biodiesel being used in US? • As a blending stock with petrodiesel (B20) • Federal, state, and alternative fuel provider fleets • EPAct and Executive Order Compliance • Other public and private fleets • In low levels with petrodiesel (B2) • Lubricity and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel • Agriculture supporting its own product • Very limited B100 Use

  6. Biodiesel Production • National Biodiesel Board estimates 250 million gallons for 2006 • Current production capacity is more than 500 million annual gallons • More than 500 million annual gallons under construction or planned

  7. Biodiesel Blenders Tax Credit • American Jobs Creation Act 2004 • 1¢ per percentage of biodiesel blended • Vegetable oils and animal fats • B20 = 20 ¢, B2 = 2 ¢ • 1/2 ¢ for recycled oils • Must meet ASTM D6751 • Highway Trust Fund is not impacted • Effective January 1, 2005 • Expires December 31, 2008 (extended in 2005 Energy Policy Act)

  8. Biodiesel Operational Issues (≤ B20) • Fuel Properties • High cetane, ultra-low sulfur, high lubricity, poor cold flow • Fuel quality and proper storage are critical • Compliance with ASTM D6751 • No engine modification required • Slightly reduced fuel economy • B100 is ~10% lower energy content per gallon than diesel • Potential for reduced oil drain interval based on lower particulate matter emissions • Warranty coverage varies by manufacturer

  9. Emission Benefits of B20 • Broad agreement on emission reductions: • 10% to 25% reduction in PM, depending on engine, test cycle, and other factors • 10% to 20% reductions in CO, HC, and toxic compounds • Several studies confirm life-cycle CO2 emission reductions ~16% for B20 • Impact on NOx emissions is less certain

  10. Biodiesel Effect on NOx • NOx can go up or down depending on engine and cycle • This is not well understood quantitatively • Compilations of available data that are not weighted to one engine model show no change in NOx on average for B20 • Based on the data available today: • B20 appears to have no significant or consistent impact on NOx emissions http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy07osti/40554.pdf

  11. B20 Testing with Diesel Particulate Filter B20 results in substantial PM reduction even with DPF • Reduction with DPF ranges from 20% to 70%, depending on basefuel, test cycle, and other factors • Reduction in sulfate emissions • Increased PM reactivity caused by biodiesel Williams, et al., “Effect of Biodiesel Blends on Diesel Particulate Filter Performance” SAE 2006-01-3280

  12. Biodiesel Fleet Evaluations • Compares B20 to diesel control group • Identical engines, similar routes • Data collected on fuel use, mileage, maintenance, emissions

  13. RTD: Fuel Economy and Maintenance • Study concluded in July 2006 • 24 month duration • Over 100,000 miles per vehicle • Slightly higher maintenance costs for B20 • Not statistically significant • Caused by one event near end of study • Oil analysis indicates no harm in terms of ZDDP and TBN decay, oxidation, fuel dilution, or viscosity. • Potential advantage in lower soot loading, lower wear metals. http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/40128.pdf

  14. USPS Fleet Results Mack Ford • Mack engine & maintenance costs similar until Nov 03 injector replacement • Suspected cause is out-of-specification B20 fuel • Differences not observed in Ford cargo vans • Differences in maintenance costs not attributed to biodiesel-related issues http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/38509.pdf

  15. NBB Fleet Evaluation Team • A preliminary report, “Equipment Effects Of Using B20, a 20% Biodiesel Blended Fuel, As a Replacement for Diesel Fuel in the United States” • Review of data from four fleet studies • Findings • Filter plugging • Materials compatibility • Fleets “satisfied” with B20 use • Technical Recommendations • Ensure biodiesel meets ASTM specs • Ensure homogenous product • Avoid long-term storage • Be aware of cold weather properties http://www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodiesel/guide/B20_Fleet_Recommendations.pdf

  16. Closing Remarks • Biodiesel is a significant sustainable energy resource for the United States • Use of high quality biodiesel meeting ASTM D6751 is critical for good performance • Work is ongoing to develop ASTM specifications for biodiesel blends • B20 produces robust reductions in emissions of soot, toxics, and carbon monoxide • There are not sufficient data to say if B20 blends cause NOx, on average, to go up or down • Quantitative fleet evaluation results show no significant difference in operating costs or engine wear for use of petrodiesel versus B20 • much more in-use data is required to fully understand B20 impacts • Major research need is testing of biodiesel in post-2006 engines

  17. Biodiesel Resources • NREL Fuels Group: Biodiesel Publications http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pubs_biodiesel.html • DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/altfuel/biodiesel.html • Publications • Federal & state incentives • Handling & use guidelines • Station locations • DOE Regulated Fleet Programs http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/epact/ • National Biodiesel Board http://www.biodiesel.org

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