1. Biodiesel Benefits, Issues, & Opportunities
Presentation to the Special Libraries Association
Seattle, WA
June 17, 2008
Richard Nelson
Kansas State University &
National Biodiesel Board

2. Biodiesel Defined
Biodiesel, n. -- 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 D 6751.
Official IRS and EPA definition – goes to fuel quality.

3. General Concepts Biodiesel is not raw vegetable oil!
Biodiesel is a domestic, renewable fuel for diesel engines derived from fats and oils such as soybeans and animal fats.
Biodiesel can be easily used in existing diesel engines with little or no modification.
Biodiesel is not raw vegetable oil!
Biodiesel blend, n. -- a blend of biodiesel fuel meeting ASTM D 6751 with petroleum-based diesel fuel designated BXX, where XX is the volume percent of biodiesel.

4. Biodiesel Feedstocks Degree of saturation Cold flow properties
Each biodiesel feedstock varies by its free fatty acid content and the different proportions of fatty acids found in each feedstock influence some biodiesel fuel properties
Degree of saturation
Cold flow properties
Cetane number

6. Vegetable Oil / Animal Fat/Waste Grease
Methanol + Catalyst
Vegetable Oil / Animal Fat/Waste Grease
Methanol Recovery
Crude Biodiesel
Transesterfication
Crude Glycerin
Glycerin Refining
Glycerin
Refining
Biodiesel

8. Biodiesel Attributes
Integrates into existing petroleum infrastructure; “pour and go”
High Cetane (>50 vs 42)
High Lubricity
2% blend biodiesel increases lubricity by up to 65%
BTU Content (128,000 BTU/gal vs 139,000)
Cold Flow (3-10o F > for soy-based B20)
Flash Point (a minimum 260oF vs 150oF)
Virtually Zero Sulfur
Meets 2006 ULSD rule

9. Biodiesel lowers emissions
Emission Type
B100
B20 B2
Total Unburned Hydrocarbons
-67%
-20%
-2.2%
Carbon Monoxide
-48%
-12%
-1.3%
Particulate Matter
-47%
Oxides of Nitrogen (NOX)
+10%
+/-2%
+.2%

10. Biodiesel Fuel Markets
EPACT
REGULATED FLEETS
Federal
State
Selected Utilities
MARINE
Recreational
Tour Boats
Environmentally
Sensitive Areas
Home Heating
PREMIUM DIESEL
Lubricity Enhancement
Conductivity Improver
ULSD Sulfur Free Blend Stock

11. US Biodiesel Demand 450 250 Biodiesel Tax Incentive Changes to EPACT
Bioenergy Program
75 MGY
5 MGY

12. One Driver: World Transport Vehicle Trends – Diesel Direct Impact on Biofuels Production and Demand !
Global share of diesel market has increase 40% in the last 5 years
Conditions for further expansion of diesel look right:
Global focus on CO2 & Energy Security
High energy prices (diesel ~33% more efficient versus gasoline)
Diesel technology has come of age (not dirty diesels anymore)
Where are the oilseed feedstocks going to come from to “fuel” this increase?

13. Fascination with Biofuels – Govt. Mandates
US – Renewable Fuels Standard; 35 billion gallons (133 billion liters) by 2022 (20% of projected total consumption)
EU – 5.75% by 2010; 10% by 2020; 25% by 2030
China – 5% biodiesel
China has said it aims to use 200,000 tons of biodiesel by 2010 and 2 million tons (2,057 billion liters) by 2020.
Why? Energy Security & “Peak Oil” & Climate Change
How will these intersect with market forces, where exactly
will the feedstocks come from, and at what price?

14. New Renewable Fuel Standard Requirements
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
Not just 10% ethanol in conventional gasoline

15. Biofuels Resources – Land Use
Limited “Crop” Acreage
Limited increase in land space and product yields
Sustainability Concerns
Improved yields, less inputs,
grow on marginal lands (?)
Increasing demand/production
will put pressure on food
and water supplies, prices,
and sustainability
American Grassland – excellent carbon sink

16. American ‘Dust Bowl’ – 1930s
3 Story Building

18. Food & Fuel & Feed
Oil & Agriculture just like Diamonds or Coffee are commodity markets
supply and demand effect pricing
in a given market, the lowest cost producer will always win
Many factors affect the markets –
Currency • Policy
Trading • Technology
Interest rates • Consumers
Trends • Emerging markets
There will be continued growth in renewable fuels

19. Some Perspective – Petroleum & Agriculture
The oilseed and fat market is only a small fraction of the oil industry
IF ALL DOMESTIC FEEDSTOCKS WERE CONVERTED TO FUEL, ONLY 8% OF DIESEL COULD BE REPLACED
IF ALL GLOBAL FEEDSTOCKS WERE CONVERTED TO DIESEL, ONLY 10 % OF DISTILLATE COULD BE SUBSTITUTED
However, the entire world would go hungry

22. Biodiesel and Diesel Particulate Matter/Elemental Carbon Emissions
MSHA compliance samples, EC
Standard D % Biodiesel
500
400
300
200
100
MSHA Target for UG Mines (123 EC)
Elemental Carbon, EC, µg/m3

23. Concerns of Fleet Managers about Biodiesel
Fuel Quality
Engine Warranties
Performance in Cold Weather
Storage and Handling
Fuel Contamination
Filter Plugging
Degradation of Engine Parts
Fuel Stability
Price
Others?

24. ASTM D 6751-07b Specifications (Full)
Free Glycerin
ASTM D 6584
Max % mass
Total Glycerin
Max % mass
Flash Point (Methanol)
ASTM D 93
Min 130 oC (Max 0.2 % vol)
Acid Number
ASTM D 664
Max 0.50 mg KOH/g
Water & Sediment
ASTM D 2709
Max % vol
Visual Appearance
ASTM D 4176
Max 2 Haze rating
Oxidative Stability
EN 14112
Min 3.0 hr
Sulfur
ASTM D 5453
Max 15 ppm
Cloud Point
ASTM D 2500
Report oC
Kinematic Viscosity at 40 °C
ASTM D 445
1.9 – 6.0 mm2/sec
Sulfated Ash
ASTM D 874
Copper Strip Corrosion
ASTM D 130
Max No. 3
Cetane Number
ASTM D 613
Min 47
Carbon Residue for 100% sample
ASTM D 4530
Max % mass
Distillation, 90% recovered
ASTM D 1160
Max 360 °C
Phosphorous Content
ASTM D 4951
Max % mass
Relative density at 60 °F
ASTM D 1298
Report
Na and K, combined
EN 14538
Max 5.0 ppm
Ca and Mg, combined

25. Supply Chain Management
Splash
In-Tank Blending
In-Line Blending
The more mixing the better
Biodiesel is slightly heavier than diesel fuel, specific gravity, 0.88 versus 0.85, #1 diesel 0.80
Preserve the quality of the finished fuel
Hand-offs can cause the “biodiesel ball to be fumbled”

26. Accredited Producer Focus Certified Marketer Focus
A system for monitoring the production of biodiesel to the ASTM D 6751 specification.
Sampling
Testing
Storage
Retain Samples
Shipping
Certified Marketer Focus
A system for the handling and distribution of biodiesel that maintains the fuel properties at the ASTM D 6751 specification.
Sampling
Testing
Storage
Retain Samples
Blending
Shipping

27. Actual biodiesel COA from a distributor to the final end-user
If only I’d checked the COA for ASTM!

28. OEMs Positions on Biodiesel
Engine Warrantees:
Parts and Workmanship
OEM’s Don’t Make Fuel
OEM’s Don’t Warrantee Fuel
As with diesel--problems caused by the fuel are the responsibility of the fuel supplier
OEMs want to see additional experience in the field

30. Educational Resources