Bio desiel

http://www.bio-diesel.com.au/
http://www.biodiesel.com.au/
http://www.biodiesel.org.au/old/faq.html

What is biodiesel?
Biodiesel (alkyl esters) is a cleaner-burning diesel fuel made from natural, renewable sources such as vegetable oils.

Is it approved for use?

Biodiesel is registered as a fuel and fuel additive with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the USA and the Australian standard is currently being set by the Australian government. Biodiesel is recognised by Federal, State and Industry as a valid alternative fuel. In fact, biodiesel is listed as one of the fuels eligible for a fuel rebate.

Why biodiesel?

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 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 sulphate fraction (as there is no sulphur 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).

What are the benefits?

Because it is renewable and domestically produced, biodiesel fits well to help ensure national energy security through replacing imported petroleum products with domestic alternative fuels.

While its emissions profile is lower, biodiesel functions in the engine the same as petroleum diesel. Biodiesel delivers emissions reductions while maintaining current fleets, refuelling stations, spare parts inventories and skilled diesel mechanics. Biodiesel can be substituted for diesel with essentially no engine modifications, and maintains the payload capacity and range of diesel.

Is the use of biodiesel covered under engine warranties?

Manufacturer warranties cover defects in material and workmanship, and those warranties extend to engines burning biodiesel. These warranties do not cover engine problems related to fuel of any kind. Tests and demonstrations, however, have shown that biodiesel is no different from petroleum diesel in terms of engine performance and wear.

Is biodiesel exhaust less harmful than petroleum based diesel exhaust?

Biodiesel is safer for people to breathe. Research conducted in the United States showed biodiesel emissions have significantly decreased levels of all target polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitrited PAH compounds, as compared to petroleum diesel exhaust. PAH and nPAH compounds have been identified as potential cancer causing compounds. Results of the subchronic inhalation testing showed no toxic results from biodiesel exhaust emissions-"*even at the highest concentrations physically possible to achieve. These results conclusively demonstrate biodiesel"0s health and environmental benefits as a non-toxic, renewable fuel.

The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine also results in substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter compared to emissions from diesel fuel. In addition, the exhaust emissions of sulphur oxides and sulphates (major components of acid rain) from biodiesel are essentially eliminated compared to diesel.

Of the major exhaust pollutants, both unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides are ozone or smog forming precursors. The use of biodiesel results in a substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons. Emissions of nitrogen oxides are either slightly reduced or slightly increased depending on the duty cycle of the engine and testing methods used. Based on engine testing, using the most stringent emissions testing protocols required by EPA for certification of fuels or fuel additives in the US, the overall ozone forming potential of the speciated hydrocarbon emissions from biodiesel was nearly 50 percent less than that measured for diesel fuel.

Can biodiesel help mitigate "global warming"?

A 1998 biodiesel lifecycle study, jointly sponsored by the US Department of Energy and the US Department of Agriculture, concluded biodiesel reduces net CO*x emissions by 78 percent compared to petroleum diesel. This is due to biodiesel"0s closed carbon cycle. The CO*x released into the atmosphere when biodiesel is burned is recycled by growing plants, which are later processed into fuel.

Is biodiesel safer than petroleum diesel?

Scientific research confirms that biodiesel exhaust has a less harmful impact on human health than petroleum diesel fuel. Biodiesel emissions have decreased levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitrited PAH compounds which have been identified as potential cancer causing compounds. In recent testing, PAH compounds were reduced by 75 to 85 percent, with the exception of benzo(a)anthracene, which was reduced by roughly 50 percent. Targeted nPAH compounds were also reduced dramatically with biodiesel fuel, with 2-nitrofluorene and 1-nitropyrene reduced by 90 percent, and the rest of the nPAH compounds reduced to only trace levels.

Does biodiesel cost more than other alternative fuels?

When reviewing the high costs associated with other alternative fuel systems, many fleet managers believe biodiesel is their least-cost-per-compliance mile option. Use of biodiesel does not require major engine modifications. That means operators keep their fleets, their spare parts inventories, their refuelling stations and their skilled mechanics. The only thing that changes is air quality.

Do I need special storage facilities?

In general, the standard storage and handling procedures used for petroleum diesel can be used for biodiesel. The fuel should be stored in a clean, dry, dark environment. Acceptable storage tank materials include aluminium, steel, fluorinated polyethylene, fluorinated polypropylene and Teflon. Copper, brass, lead, tin, and zinc should be avoided.

Can I use biodiesel in my existing diesel engine?

Biodiesel can be operated in any diesel engine with little or no modification to the engine or the fuel system. Biodiesel has a solvent effect which may release deposits accumulated on tank walls and pipes from previous diesel fuel storage. The release of deposits may clog filters initially and precautions should be taken. Ensure that only fuel meeting the biodiesel specification is used.

Where can I purchase biodiesel?

Look at our "getting it " section for the most current list of suppliers in Australia

How is biodiesel marketed today?

In the US, beginning in November 1998 with the passage of the federal EPACT amendments which allowed biodiesel greater access to the alternative fuels market, biodiesel has become one of the fastest (if not the fastest) growing alternative fuel in the country. In addition, to being marketed as an alternative fuel technology to meet EPACT requirements, biodiesel has also seen widespread acceptance as a fuel lubricity additive in diesel fuel.

Where is biodiesel being used today as a fuel lubricity additive?

The largest user of biodiesel in the world is France. They add up to 5% of biodiesel to all low sulphur diesel sold in that country.

A total of seven companies in the US have released premium additive packages containing biodiesel, in which biodiesel is a major marketing aspect of the products. In the summer of 1999, Koch - the second largest privately owned company in the US behind Cargill - launched a new premium diesel fuel product, US SoyField Diesel, which is now in over 20 terminals in the midwest and expanding. Also in 1999, Country Energy (the Farmland/Cenex petroleum joint venture) launched SoyMaster, their proprietary premium diesel containing biodiesel in four terminals in the Midwest.

Will biodiesel play a role in EPA's recent proposed regulation that limits sulphur content in diesel fuel?

In May, 2000, EPA proposed a reduction in the sulphur content of highway diesel fuel of over 95% from its current level of 500 ppm Biodiesel has no sulphur or aromatics and tests have documented it's ability to increase fuel lubricity significantly when blended with petroleum diesel fuel-even at very low levels. The currently proposed ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel regulations, designed to help protect human health, will require the addition of a lubricity additive. Biodiesel could be included as a low level blending component in diesel fuel as a means to improve fuel lubricity while providing environmental, economic, and energy security benefits to diesel users and the US public at the same time.

How much biodiesel would need to be added to provide sufficient fuel lubricity in diesel fuel?

Testing has confirmed that biodiesel can provide sufficient levels of fuel lubricity, even at blend levels below 1%, in current on-road diesel fuel. Testing is underway to determine specific blend levels that would be required in ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel (15 ppm).

If biodiesel was used in all of the on-road diesel fuel in the US, would the biodiesel industry be able to produce enough fuel to meet this demand?

If 1% biodiesel was blended with the national on-road diesel fuel pool, over 300 million gallons of biodiesel would be required. There are presently 13 companies who have invested millions of private dollars into the development of the biodiesel manufacturing plants and are actively marketing biodiesel. Based on existing dedicating biodiesel processing capacity and long-term production agreements, over 200 million gallons of biodiesel capacity currently exists. In addition, many dedicated biodiesel processing facilities are capable of doubling their production capacity within 18 months.

Are there any warranty implications associated with the use of biodiesel as a low level blending component in diesel fuel?

Biodiesel enjoys the support of the Fuel Injection Equipment industry as an option to solve the lubricity problem with petrodiesel. Stanadyne Automotive Corp., the leading independent US manufacturer of diesel fuel injection equipment, supports the inclusion of low levels of biodiesel in diesel fuel for two reasons. First, it would eliminate the inherent variability associated with the use of other additives and whether sufficient additive was used to make the fuel fully lubricious. Second, Stanadyne considers biodiesel a fuel or a fuel component not an additive. It is possible to burn pure biodiesel in conventional diesel engines. Thus, if more biodiesel is added than required to increase lubricity, there will not be the adverse consequences that might be seen if other lubricity additives are dosed at too high a level.

Are there any adverse conditions that could arise if biodiesel were to be overdosed?

No, biodiesel can be used as a pure product or blended at any percentage with petroleum diesel. Fuel Injection Equipment manufacturers such as Stanadyne concur that there would be no adverse effects if more than the suggested rate was used.

What is the industry doing to ensure biodiesel quality?

In December 1998, the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) issued a provisional specification (PS 121) for biodiesel fuel. ASTM is the premier standard-setting organization for fuels and additives in the U.S. The EPA has adopted the ASTM standard and state divisions of weights and measures currently are considering its adoption. This development was crucial in standardizing fuel quality for biodiesel in the U.S. market.

Can the lubricity benefits be gained through other sources?

Yes, replenishing the loss lubricity that will be apparent in future diesel fuel can be accomplished with conventional lubricity additives either on the market today or in the process of being formulated.

What is the cost of biodiesel compared to other petroleum based lubricity additives?

Economically, these products are the same or less expensive than biodiesel. Petroleum based additives, however, do not have the same conservation, energy security, environmental, and economic benefits. All of these factors need to be weighed fully.

If 300 million gallons of biodiesel were consumed next year, would there be any environmental or economic impacts to the US?
A 1998 biodiesel lifecycle study jointly sponsored by the U. S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture concluded that increased use of biodiesel would substantially benefit our national economy. Inclusion of biodiesel, even at very low levels, would immediately incorporate domestically produced fuels as an immediate supplement to our nation"0s current energy security programs at little or no cost to the taxpayer. Increased biodiesel production would result in significant economic benefits to state economies as well as agricultural producers. Increased use of biodiesel also results in significant environmental benefits.

The press has reported that for some alternative fuels it takes as much energy to process the fuel as the fuel contains. What is the energy balance of biodiesel?
For every one unit of energy needed to produce biodiesel, 3.24 units of energy are gained.

Is biodiesel safe?

Tests sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture confirm that biodiesel is less toxic than petroleum diesel and biodegrades as fast as dextrose (a test sugar). In addition, biodiesel has a flash point of over 125#+C which makes it safer to store and handle than petroleum diesel fuel.

Will burning biodiesel put more or less CO2 into the atmosphere?

A US study has found that biodiesel production and use, in comparison to petroleum diesel,produces 78.5% less CO2 emissions.Carbon dioxide is taken up by the annual production of crops such as soybeans and then released when vegetable oil based biodiesel is combusted.

How much will the sale of biodiesel affect the price paid to farmers for their crops?

With agricultural commodity prices at record low levels, and petroleum prices approaching record highs, it is clear more can be done to utilize domestic surpluses of renewable oils, such as soybean oil, while enhancing our energy security. A 1998 economic study conducted by the USDA Economic Research Service estimated that a sustained national market for 100 million gallons of biodiesel annually could increase the value of the US soybean crop by more than $250 million.


Has biodiesel been thoroughly tested?

Biodiesel has been extensively tested by government agencies, university researchers and private industry in the United States, Canada and Europe. Many transit authorities within the US have conducted tests as well.

More than 100 biodiesel demonstrations, including three one-million-mile tests and more than thirty 50,000-mile tests, have logged more than 10 million road miles with biodiesel blends on US roads.

In these tests, performance, fuel mileage and drivability with biodiesel blends were similar to conventional diesel, but opacity levels were reduced and exhaust odour was less offensive. No adverse durability or engine wear problems were noted.

The biodiesel industry also has commissioned more than 40 independent studies to research benefits ranging from improved lubricity to biodegradability.

Who blends the fuel, and how is it done?

Diesel users can have their suppliers obtain biodiesel and simply blend it before delivery. Or they can have biodiesel delivered directly and mix it themselves. It blends easily, stays mixed and requires no special handling.

Which blend is best?

Depending on the application, climate and season the blend of biodiesel can be from 2% up to 100%.

In Europe (especially France), where low sulphur diesel has been in-place for many years, biodiesel is added to provide the lubrication that was lost with the removal of the sulphur.

In environmentally sensitive areas (marine, alpine) and in mines where the maximum environmental benefit is required, 100% biodiesel is often used.

In the US, where biodiesel is in use in bus fleets, 20% biodiesel is mostly used - to address the best current balance of emissions, cost and availability.

How much does biodiesel cost?

That depends on the market price of diesel and vegetable oil. But, in general, 100% biodiesel will be anywhere from around the price of regular petroleum diesel up to 50% higher. However, when all the costs of meeting tougher emissions standards are considered (conversion, construction, insurance, etc.), an emissions management system based on biodiesel may be the least-cost option.

Surveys by Booz-Allen & Hamilton Inc., Sparks Companies, Inc., and the University of Georgia have found that a truck or bus fleet using a 20 percent biodiesel/80 percent petroleum diesel blend would experience lower total annual costs than other alternative fuels when including capital requirements. Research into advanced farming practices and more efficient production would further reduce the cost of biodiesel.

Is biodiesel available, and where can I get some?

General supply of biodiesel in Australia will be a reality in 2001!

Our page on 'getting biodiesel' has the current list of suppliers in Australia. In the first quater of 2001, the BAA will have limited quantities available. If you need a sample or would like to be put on the 'first users' list, please fill in the registration page, fill in the fax-back form or call us to confirm your place.

Do I need special storage facilities?

Biodiesel or premixed blends can be stored wherever petroleum diesel is stored, except in concrete-lined tanks. At higher blend levels, biodiesel may result in some deterioration of rubber or polyurethane foam materials.

Who is using biodiesel?

Although biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine, among the first to switch to biodiesel include centrally fuelled fleets such as urban buses. In the US, it is now being used in transit bus fleets, heavy-duty truck fleets, airport shuttles, marine, national parks, military and mining operations, as well as other state and federal fleets.

Who else can benefit from biodiesel?

The reduction of our dependence of a 100% imported fuel and the introduction of a renewable technology benefits the entire country. The range of benefits include:

Growth in rural economies.
Reduced dependence on imported fuel.
Improvement in Australia"0s balance of trade.
Massive reduction in greenhouse emissions.
Reduction of sulphur dioxide, one of the main causes of acid rain.
Reduction of other cancer causing emissions such as benzene.
Cheaper fuel.

Who can answer my questions about biodiesel?

The Biodiesel Association of Australia is more than happy to answer your questions or forward you to someone who can on biodiesel . Call (02) 9526 1442 for more information or see the bottom of the Home page for more details

What I want to know .. is where to purchase an 'off the shelf' plant. The price of diesel in Gippsland of near to a dollar a litre makes this very interesting. I don't want to go through the process of building a plant from scratch, but would be happy to get stuck into making some supplementary fuel from recycled stuff found locally. Any ideas? Cheers Royce

G'day Kevin.
I dont know much about the technical analysis of biodiesel but in August I bumped a bloke in Cunamulla whose problems with his F250 were traced to the biodiesel he used.The problem was very complicated and took several mechanics before it was correctly diagnosed.
He had this huge Ford turbo diesel ute with a fifth wheeler caravan trailer, all up weight of about 7 ton,all fully imported and cost a squillion.The vehicle would run fine whilst accelerating but when he backed off at slow speed with the engine only idling it would cut out leaving him with no power steering or power brakes.
One mechanic had seen this before and asked him if he had used biodiesel and he had just a few weeks before.He came from South Australia and ran a few tanks of biodiesel before he startedhis trip.The mechanic explained that with rotary fuel pumps that recycle fuel back through the tank,the biodiesel had gummed up the return lines out of the pump.Whilst he was accelerating the pump pressure was sufficient enough to overcome the blockage, however at idle the pump could not overcome the back pressure and would cut out.The mechanic said that because he hadnt run too much biodiesel the build up probably wouldnt be too big so he suggested flushing the system with a strong injector cleaner . I hope he solved his problem as he provided us with a good first hand example of the cons of biodiesel.

??????what's that supposed to mean???????? How would it reduce costs unless you pay the farmer less? It's tough enough now.

Personally, I would love to see biodiesel become the fuel of the future, but only having the pros and not the cons and publishing info like I pulled out above does the cause no good. More research needs to be done to either refine it as a fuel for todays engines or modify engines and/or their associated running gear to suit the fuel as is.

Anyway, thanks Truckster for posting that info. I for one will go and look into those links and find out more for myself, and see how viable and sustainable, on engines, it is.

my neighbor has an older cruiser..in the 80s i think. and he runs it on straight cooking oil that he gets from the fish & chip shops for free...filters it a few times...pumps it into a 100l tank in the back..has water from the motor circulating through the tank to warm up the oil , drives about 10ks to warm it up then switches it over...did a trip from Vic to WA and back without any hassles

Hi, I run a TD5 Discovery, and it runs like a dream on commercial Biodiesel from a couple of service stations, at Numurkah in Victoria and Jerilderie in NSW. The only downside that I have found is that it's a bit chuggy in the morning when it's VERY cold, around-5 or so...
Bill Church

Thanks all especialy Truckster you mus have writers cramp. I have printed it all out and will read it later after a cooked breakey

There are 3 kinds of fuel that are called biodeisel.
One is available from some petrol stations, Bogas at Hexam, NSW have it for around 80-85 cents per litre. This is the stuff that Truckster posted info on.
I have been using this biodiesel every second fill-up (the petrol station is out of the way generally) and have no troubles.
The other kind is home made fuel usually made from secondhand vegetable oil.
Straight oil (which Kevin wrote about) can be used straight in the engine (diesels were originally designed to run on peanut oil!) but you need to warm up the oil first to get it to the same viscosity as regular diesel. This is usually done with dual tanks..start the vehicle on reg. diesel then use the heat from the engine to warm the oil, then switch tanks to straight oil. (filter the chips and ciggie butts out first!)

If you dont want to add extra bits to your engine, you can make a biodiesel similar to what you can buy from the bowser. This involves a bit of straining, titrating, removing glycerine etc. Sounds a bit tricky but stacks of people are doing it, a great book which shows you how to do it is "From the Fryer to the Fuel tank" by Joshua Tickell available from The Good LIfe Book Club (through Earth Garden magazine)

The affect biodiesel has on your engine is to strip all the gunk and crap out of your fuel tank and fuel lines. This gunk is deposited in your fuel filter. If you don't clean out/ change your fuel filter after using a bit of biodiesel, it can become totally clogged and stop the fuel movement.
I know of one woman whose car conked out in a mysterious manner after she used her first ever home made batch of biodiesel and she was very grumpy until she found out this was the reason and now the car is all good and she sings praises to biodiesel.

There are afew people in Newcastle area interested in forming a co-op to make home-made biodiesel. If anyone is interested or already doing something like that anywhere else...let me know! Cheeeeeerrrs.

From the Patrol list

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I attended a conference on bio-fuels the other week. Bio-diesel is a
good thing. Australian bio-diesel can be a slightly different beast though.

Australia doesn't yet have any standards for bio-diesel, so it can contain pretty much anything. Personally I wouldn't be using it at the moment. Once there are standards to adhere to the quality of Australian bio-diesel will be much more assured and then I would consider it, until then - sorry, I don't want to risk my car. Bio-diesel, as with ethanol blended fuel, suffers from a lack of legislation and a reluctance from vehicle manufacturers to clarify their position making warranty and reliability very grey areas.

As highlighted in the message a fuel filter change is necessary after a tank or two of bio-diesel. Otherwise motors shouldn't require any special modification but product variability may lead to problems. The better producers are generally catering to a market already and have their fuels on-contract to haulage firms, bus operators, councils etc.

Hope this helps

Steve

(A European bio-diesel producer had 3 samples from Aussie "bio-diesel" outlets and all failed to meet the European spec. It is a shame as it is a great fuel for the future but backyard operations could lead to the death of the industry before it has a chance to establish.)

Most manufacturers don't recommend 100% bio-diesel. Reason being something like that because they lack some mineral oil compounds they attack the seals etc in your engine.

Usually a mix of 95% mineral /5% biodiesel is recommended at a limit. Diesels are getting fairly clean now anyway so the only real reason for using at present is cost and - as biodesiel technology is not overly efficient - it tends to be more expensive to produce than mineral diesel.

The argument that they are more environmentally friendly is marginal as most folks forget to look at the end to end manufacturing process. It takes a lot of industry (heat and power) to produce biodeisel so it isn't really as clean as everybody would like to think (when compared to normal diesel).