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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. Click
here for a fact sheet about earning EPAct credits with
biodiesel.
Biodiesel operates in conventional
engines. Biodiesel blends operate in diesel engines,
from light to heavy-duty, just like petroleum diesel. B20
works in any diesel engine with few or no modifications to
the engine or the fuel system, and provides similar horsepower,
torque, and mileage as diesel. 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. Acceptable storage
tank materials include aluminum, steel, fluorinated polyethylene,
fluorinated polypropylene and teflon. The fuel should be stored
in a clean, dry, dark environment. 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.
Click here
for a material safety data sheet.
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
approximately 20 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.
Those interested in getting
a copy of the standard can buy it for $35 at www.astm.org.
To contact ASTM customer service directly, call (610) 832-9585
or e-mail service@astm.org.
Click
here for a sample standard.
Please assist us
in promoting the biodiesel
product and in keeping this site current and
informative by completing a short
survey.
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Market
Reports:
• Operational Evaluation of Emissions and Fuel Use of B20 Versus Diesel Fueled Dump Trucks
• Biodiesel End-User Survey
• St. Louis Biodiesel Pilot Program, Evaluating the Feasibility of Using Biodiesel to Meet EPACT Requirements
Market
News:
• National Biodiesel Foundation Unveils BioTrucker Fuel Card
• Universal Studios Announces Expansion of Biodiesel Use
• Safeway Announces Biodiesel Use Throughout Fleet
Visitors
who viewed this page also viewed:
•Sample
Material Safety Data Sheet (pdf)
•EPAct
Summary (pdf)
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