1. Industry Priority 1–Biodiesel Quality
November, 2007

2. Questions to ask the Biodiesel Producer
Is the Producer BQ-9000 certified?
What feedstock is the biodiesel made from?
Can I see the last couple C of A’s?
Does the biodiesel meet ASTM D B?
How is the product being stored?
Get samples. Tour Production facility.

3. Agenda-Common Industry Quality Concerns
Feedstock Issues
Each oil has different properties
High TG/Fall out
Most common filter plugging issue
Sterol Glucosides
palm and soy based
Solvent Properties
Hoses, gaskets, o-rings
Winter Storage
Also plays a significant role

4. Raw Materials (Oil) Soybean Tallow / Choice White Poultry Palm
Sterol glucosides
Tocopherol
32F Cloud point
Tallow / Choice White
High cetane
No antioxidants
Higher cloud point
Poultry
Better CP than tallow
Sulfur concern
Palm
High saturates
High cetane
OSI stable
Recycled
Mixed feedstock
Must treat fatty acid
Rapeseed (Canola)
Lower C18-3 content
Better oxidation stab.
Not widely available in US

5. Industry Quality Concerns
High Total Glyceride
Saturate monoglycerides in high concentrations can be problematic
Can settle out and may not go back into solution
Requires heat to homogenize
Sterol Glucosides
Palm and soy based biodiesel
Will not go back into solution
Best dealt with during biodiesel production

6. Industry Quality Concerns (cont.)
Fatty Acid
Can come from producer, or from improper handling
Can indicate aged fuel
Oxidative Stability
Long term storage with oxygen causes instability
The stability of the product will only decrease with time
Treat with additives to stabilize

7. Water Issues
Can come from biodiesel production or from storage/handling
Current requirement is 500ppm water & sediment
ASTM to include a direct measure of water in 2008

8. Operational Issues Good Solvent
Biodiesel cleans out the sludge
Filters can clog on initial use, especially with B20 and higher
Mechanics report that fuel system repairs are a cleaner job after switching to biodiesel
Residue can also be pulled off inner tank walls

9. Biodiesel Storage Tank Venting Filtration Periodic Tank Maintenance
Ideally water traps to reduce water from humidity
At least keep it from raining into the tank
Goose neck
Filtration
Filter material exiting the B100 tank.
Good check against fallout in the tank
If possible, filter biodiesel as it unloads
Check on workmanship
Periodic Tank Maintenance
Regular checks for water
Regular sump sample review
Check for flocculent or water

10. Biodiesel Storage (cont.)
Cold Weather Storage
Uninsulated/Above Ground – Store with 50% #1 Diesel and Utilize Cold Flow Additive
Not recommended
Kerosene expensive
Underground Storage – Should be Sufficient to Keep Product 10°F Above Cloud Point.
Utilize cold flow additive
Cold blending assistance available at the NBB.ORG
Above Ground/Heated & Insulated – Typical Storage Temperature is 70°F.
Inside Storage - > 50°F
Tank Heating
Tempered glycol best
Low pressure steam acceptable
Recirculation of agitation suggested to avoid hot spots.

11. Filter Plugging

12. Filter Plugging
Sterol Glucosides and Glycerin

13. Cold Soak Method – Performance Standard
Biodiesel heated to 100F to remove any temperature memory effects
Biodiesel cooled (cold soak) at 40F for 16 hours
Biodiesel allowed to return to room temperature (under 2 hours)
Filtered through a 0.6 micron glass fiber filter
Under 200 seconds – fit for winter purpose
Under 360 seconds – fit for summer purpose
Winter grade for use with diesel - CP of < -12C
Summer grade for use with diesel – CP > 12C

14. Questions?