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Biodiesel
Myths and Facts
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| Myth
:
Biodiesel is an experimental fuel and has not been thoroughly
tested. |
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Fact
: Biodiesel is one of the most thoroughly
tested alternative fuels on the market. A
number of independent studies have been completed with the
results showing
biodiesel performs similar to petroleum diesel while benefiting
the environment and
human health compared to diesel. That research includes studies
performed by the
U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Stanadyne Automotive
Corp. (the largest diesel fuel injection equipment manufacturer
in the U.S.), Lovelace
Respiratory Research Institute, and Southwest Research Institute.
Biodiesel is the first and
only alternative fuel to have completed the rigorous Health
Effects testing requirements
of the Clean Air Act. Biodiesel has been proven to perform
similarly to diesel in more 50
million successful road miles in virtually all types of diesel
engines, countless off-road
miles and countless marine hours. Currently more than 300
major fleets use the fuel.
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| Myth
:
Biodiesel does not perform as well as diesel. |
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Fact
: One of the major advantages of
biodiesel is the fact that it can be used in
existing engines and fuel injection equipment with little
impact to operating
performance. Biodiesel has a higher cetane number than diesel
fuel. In more than
50 million miles of in-field demonstrations, B20 showed similar
fuel consumption,
horsepower, torque, and haulage rates as conventional diesel
fuel. Biodiesel also has
superior lubricity and it has the highest BTU content of any
alternative fuel .
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Myth :
Biodiesel doesn't perform well in cold weather.
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Fact
:
Biodiesel will gel in very cold temperatures, just as the
common diesel does.
Although pure biodiesel has a higher cloud point than diesel
fuel, typical blends of
20% biodiesel are managed with the same fuel management techniques
as diesel.
Blends of 5% biodiesel and less have virtually no impact on
cold flow.
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Myth
:
Biodiesel causes filters to plug.
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Fact
:
Biodiesel can be operated in any diesel engine with little
or no modification to
the engine or the fuel system. 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, 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 have caused filters to plug.
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| Myth
:
A low-blend of biodiesel in diesel fuel will cost too much. |
Fact
: Using a 2% blend of biodiesel is
estimated to increase the cost of diesel by 2 or 3
cents per gallon, including the fuel, transportation, storage
and blending costs. Any
increase in cost will be accompanied by an increase in diesel
quality since low-blend
levels of biodiesel greatly enhance the lubricity of diesel
fuel. |
| Myth
:
Biodiesel causes degradation of engine gaskets and seals. |
Fact
: The recent switch to low-sulfur diesel
fuel has caused most Original Equipment
Manufacturers (OEMs) to switch to components that are also suitable
for use with
biodiesel. In general, biodiesel used in pure form can soften
and degrade certain types
of elastomers and natural rubber compounds over time. Using
high percent blends can
impact fuel system components (primarily fuel hoses and fuel
pump seals) that contain
elastomer compounds incompatible with biodiesel, although the
effect is lessened as
the biodiesel blend level is decreased. Experience with B20
has found that no changes
to gaskets or hoses are necessary. |
| Myth
:
No objective biodiesel fuel formulation standard exists. |
Fact
:
The biodiesel industry has been active in setting standards
for biodiesel since
1994 when the first biodiesel taskforce was formed within the
American Society for
Testing and Materials (ASTM). ASTM approved a provisional standard
for biodiesel
(ASTM PS 121) in July of 1999. The final specification (D-6751)
was issued in December
2001. Copies of specifications are available from ASTM at http://www.astm.org. |
| Myth
:
Biodiesel does not have sufficient shelf life. |
Fact
: Most fuel today is used up long before
six months, and many petroleum
companies do not recommend storing petroleum diesel for more
than six months. The
current industry recommendation is that biodiesel be used within
six months, or
reanalyzed after six months to ensure the fuel meets ASTM specifications
(D-6751). A
longer shelf life is possible depending on the fuel composition
and the use of storage enhancing additives. |
| Myth
:
Engine warranty coverage would be at risk. |
Fact
:
The use of biodiesel in existing diesel engines does not void
parts and materials
workmanship warranties of any major engine manufacturer. |
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