1. A Renewable Alternative Fuel for Diesel Engines
Biodiesel
A Renewable Alternative Fuel for Diesel Engines
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

2. Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project
Outline
What is biodiesel?
What can be used to make biodiesel?
How is biodiesel manufactured?
How is biodiesel used?
What are the benefits of biodiesel?
What are the effects of biodiesel on the environment and human health?
How will using biodiesel affect my engine warranty?
What about cold weather operation?
How does biodiesel perform in engines?
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

3. Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project
What is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a renewable, alternative fuel for use in compression-ignition (diesel) engines
Biodiesel is a fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, designated B100, and meeting the requirements of ASTM D6751
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

4. Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education ProjectIS
IS NOT
A commercially-manufactured fuel that meets specific, recognized quality standards
Raw vegetable oil
Filtered grease or cooking oil
This fuel was manufactured in a BQ 9000 facility - it meets ASTM D6751 quality standards!
This fuel was made in Bob’s shed – it meets Bob’s quality (?) standards! Do you trust Bob???
???
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

5. ASTM D6751 Biodiesel Standard
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

6. What can be used to make Biodiesel?
Oil Seeds
Soybeans
Canola
Cottonseed
Sunflowers
Animal Fats
Beef tallow
Pork lard
Recycled cooking oils/greases
Algae
Other
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

7. How is Biodiesel Manufactured?
100 – lbs.
10 – lbs.
Feedstock
Vegetable oils
Animal fats
Waste fats/oils
Transesterification
Methanol
Plus Catalyst
Refining
Crude
Biodiesel
Biodiesel
10 – lbs.
100 – lbs.
Crude Glycerin
Glycerin
Refining
Methanol Recovery
Glycerin
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

8. Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project
How is Biodiesel Used?
Pure biodiesel (B100) is normally “blended” with petroleum diesel for use in engines.
Biodiesel blends are designated by the % biodiesel they contain: B5
5% biodiesel
95% petroleum diesel
B20 (most common blend)
20% biodiesel
80% petroleum diesel
Can be used in most CI engines with no modifications
Biodiesel blends are designated according to the % of biodiesel
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

9. Physical and Chemical Characteristics of D2, B20 and B1001
Fuel
Specific gravity
Lbs/gal
BTU/lb
BTU/gal D2
0.835
6.963
19,764 (100%)
137,617 (100%)
B20
0.862
7.189
18,917 (-4.3%)
135,994 (-1.2%)
B100
0.866
7.389
17,111 (-13.4%)
126,433 (-8.1%)
1 Values from the NREL Fuels Database
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

10. What are the Benefits of Biodiesel???
Is renewable
Is domestically-produced
Is non-toxic and biodegradable
Blends up to B20 require no (or minor) vehicle modifications
Increases lubricity of fuel
Reduces global warming gasses
Reduces tailpipe emissions
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

11. What are the Effects of Biodiesel on the Environment and Human Health?
Average Emissions Reduction with Biodiesel
Biodiesel Reduces:
Hydrocarbons
Human Carcinogen
Particulates
Carbon Monoxide
Human Toxin
CO2 (lifecycle basis)
Greenhouse gas
Effect on NOX emissions is unclear
Contributes to smog
Health hazard
Source: US Environmental Protection Agency
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

12. B20 Reduces Harmful Emissions Relative to Petroleum Diesel
Source: US DOE, 2008
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

13. Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project
B20 Reduces Lifecycle CO2 Emissions by 15% Relative to Petroleum Diesel
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

14. How will using Biodiesel Affect My Engine Warranty?
Engine and vehicle manufacturers warranty materials and workmanship only – not fuels.
Any engine damage due to fuel quality (either diesel or biodiesel) is not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
Only use biodiesel from a BQ-9000 certified source.
Federal law prohibits voiding an engine warranty due to the use of biodiesel; UNLESS the biodiesel is proven to be the cause of failure.
Most manufacturers make specific recommendations about the use of specific biodiesel blends.
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

15. Does My Engine Manufacturer Approve the Use of Biodiesel?
These (and other) manufacturers approve the use of various biodiesel blends in some or all of their engines.
Must meet ASTM D6571 quality standard
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

16. What about Cold Weather Operation?
Biodiesel gels at higher temperatures than diesel
Gelling temperature increases with:
Higher blends (B20 vs. B5)
Animal-based feedstock
Gelling temperature can be decreased with commercial “pour point depressants”
One manufacturer claims to lower gelling temperature to ⁰F for B20.
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

17. UA Biodiesel Test Results
Kubota RTV900 Utility Vehicles
John Deere 3203 Compact Utility Tractor
John Deere PowerTech M 4.5 L irrigation engine
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

18. Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project
Kubota RTV900 Diesel Utility Vehicle
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

19. Fuel Efficiency – Diesel vs. B20
In-Use Tests
Lab Tests
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

20. Power Output – Diesel vs. B20
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

21. John Deere 3203 Compact Utility Tractor
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

22. John Deere 3203 Compact Utility Tractor
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

23. PowerTech M Irrigation Engine
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

24. Rated Engine Speed (2400 rpm)
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

25. Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project
Pumping Speed (1800 RPM)
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

26. Summary - How Does Biodiesel Affect Engine Performance?
Blends of up to B20
No appreciable differences in:
Power (~ 1-2%)
Torque (~ 1-2%)
Fuel efficiency (~ 1-2%)
No effect on:
Engine life
Engine wear
Decrease in: CO
Hydrocarbons
Particulate matter
Effect on NOX varies
Mobile Biodiesel Demonstration Unit
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

27. Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project
Power and Torque Summary (Hudson, 2010)
Source
Engine Type
Fuel Type
Power
Torque
Hansen, Gratton, & Yuan (2006)
7.3 L International T 444E HT, V-8 D2
0% loss
BE5
9.5% loss
B100
9.1% loss
E10
3.0% loss B2
0.5% loss
Schumacher, Clark, Lyons, & Marshall (2001)
Series 60 DDC
19.48 Hp-hr
B20
19.43 Hp-hr
B30
19.50 Hp-hr
B20/A15
19.13 Hp-hr
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

28. Fuel Efficiency Summary (Hudson, 2010)
Source
Engine Type
Fuel Type
Fuel Efficiency
Canakci & Van Gerpen (2003)
John Deere 4247T, four cylinder, direct injection D2
g/kWh
B20 soybean
g/kWh
B20 yellow grease
g/kWh
B100 soybean
g/kWh
B100 yellow grease
g/kWh
Hardin, Brown, Roller, Johnson, & Wardlow (2007)
John Deere 3203, Yanmar engine, three cylinder
0.327 kg/kWh
B20
0.333 kg/kWh
B100
0.366 kg/kWh
Li, McLaughlin, Patterson, & Burtt (2006)
Instrumented research tractor
7.91 MJ/L
7.78 MJ/L
B50 soybean
7.58 MJ/L
7.40 MJ/L
Proc, Barnitt, Hayes, Ratcliff, & McCormick (2006)
Orion V transit buses
4.41 mpg
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

29. NOX Emissions Summary (Hudson, 2010)
Source
Engine Type
Fuel Type
NOx
Unit
Canakci & Van Gerpen (2003)
John Deere 4276T, four cylinder, direct injection D2
≈18.8
g/kw-hr
B20 soybean
≈19.0
B20 yellow grease
B100 soybean
≈21.0
B100 yellow grease
≈20.8
Hansen, Gratton, & Yuan (2006)
7.3L International T 444E HT, eight cylinder, direct injection
8.77
B2 soybean
8.92
9.82
Li, McLaughlin, Patterson, & Burtt (2006)
Instrumented research tractor
185
g/ha
182
B50 soybean
197
209
Schumacher, Clark, Lyons, & Marshall (2001)
1992 Cummins L10E, six cylinder, direct injection
5.01
g/HP-hr
B20
5.17
Schumacher, Marshall, Krahl, Wetherell, & Grabowski (2001)
1991 DDC Series 60, six cylinder
3.413
g/kW-hr
3.452
B35
3.448
B65
3.561
B100
3.808
Tat & Van Gerpen (2003)
John Deere 4045TF, four cylinder, direct injection
≈8.5
≈9.6
≈8.6
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project

30. Overview of Lab Activity
Compare D2 and B20 in John Deere 3203 Compact Utility Tractor
Performance measures
Power (HP)
Torque (lb-ft)
Fuel efficiency
sfc (lbs/hph)
Thermal efficiency (%)
NOX emissions (ppm)
Data Collection Sheet
Safety
Arkansas Biodiesel Research, Demonstration and Education Project