Transcript Biodiesel Report for the Technical Committee

- Virginia Transit Association Conference –
2009
Biodiesel for Transits
Sponsored by
National Biodiesel Board
Presented by
Jill Hamilton
Presentation:
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Intro to Biodiesel
Benefits
Legislative Impacts
Other Incentives
Using Biodiesel
Transit Demonstration
Questions
What is Biodiesel?
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A clean burning alternative fuel
Produced from domestic, renewable
resources such as soybean oil
Contains no petroleum, but can be blended
at any level with petroleum diesel to create a
biodiesel blend
Can be used in compression-ignition (diesel)
engines with little or no modifications
What is Biodiesel Made of?
Raw Material Use (2007)
Cottonseed Oil
0.21% Inedible Tallow
and Grease
4.36%
Refined
Soybean Oil
62.74%
Other Fats
and Oils
16.05%
Crude
Soybean Oil
16.64%
National Biodiesel Board
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Benefits of Biodiesel
Climate Change
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78% Life Cycle Decrease In CO2
 CO2 emitted from burning fuel is taken up by
plants growing next crop of fuel feedstock
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Energy Balance 4.5 to 1
 4.5 according to new DOE study done by Univ
of Idaho.
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Diesel engines already 30%-40% more
Efficient than Spark Ignition
Reference: US Department of Energy and Department of Agriculture: Life Cycle Inventory of Biodiesel and Petroleum Diesel for Use in an Urban Bus.
Available at www.biodiesel/resources/sustainability/
Benefits of Biodiesel
Health and Safety
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Safer, Cleaner Alternative to Petroleum
 Exhaust has less harmful impact on human health
 Reduces emissions of unburned hydrocarbons,
carbon monoxide and particulate matter (smog)
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Biodegradable and nontoxic
 Less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast
as sugar
 Biodiesel exhaust comparable to the smell of
French fries
References: US Environmental Protection Agency: “A Comprehensive Analysis of Biodiesel Impacts on Exhaust Emissions” visit:
www.epa.gov/otaq/models/analysis/biodsl/p02001.pdf. Also see www.biodiesel.org/resources/sustainability/
Benefits of Biodiesel
U.S. Economy
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Creates Agricultural and Fuel Manufacturing Jobs:
50,000 jobs (mostly rural) ; $4 billion in GDP
Creates Expanded Markets for Agricultural Products
Improves Balance of Trade (36 MM imported Crude
Displaced)
$832 MM to tax revenue
References: see www/biodiesel.org/resources/sustainability/ then “Economic sustainability”
Legislative Impacts
Fleet Operators
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Eligible for EPACT credits
 Federal fleets must purchase alternative fuel vehicles
(AFVs) for 75% of light-duty vehicles
 50% of light duty AFV purchase requirements can be
met with biodiesel
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Can earn 1 AFV purchase credit for each 2,250
gallons of B20 used or for each 450 gallons of
B100 used
 States and cities are implementing similar
requirements
Legislative Impacts
Fleet Operators
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Cost competitive through tax credits
 One penny per percentage point of virgin oil-
based biodiesel (20 cents/ gallon for B20)
$1/gal incentive
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Supported by Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007 – RFS2
 Mandates 500 million gallons of biomass based diesel
by 2009 and 1 billion gallons by 2012
Legislative Impacts
Energy Independence and Security
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Increases Domestic Fuel Production
Capacity
Reduces Energy Imports and Dependence
on Foreign Oil Sources
Distributes fuel production and
manufacturing to increase supply security
References: see www/biodiesel.org/resources/fuelfactsheets/ then “biodiesel and energy security”
Other Incentives for Use
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Diesel Emission Reductions - Grant and
loan program available to State and local
government agencies and non-profit
organizations for reducing emissions from
diesel engines. The program focuses on
replacing/retrofitting engines in nonattainment areas
 EPA to administer
 2007-2011 $200M per year
Other Incentives for Use
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State and Local Incentives
 VA state legislature considering a state wide
B2 mandate (RFS2~B5)
 Clean Cities Programs – funding opportunities
due Sept. 30, ’09.
Contact: Chelsea Jenkins, Hampton Roads
Clean Cities
Fuel Quality and Specification
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ASTM fuel standards enforceable as of
October 2008
 Specification for B100 updated (D6751)
 New specification for B6 to B20 blends
(D7467) (basis for broad OEM warranty
acceptance)
 New specification classifying blends up to
5% same as diesel (D975)
BQ-9000 Fuel Quality Program
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Biodiesel Industry’s “Good Housekeeping”
seal of approval for biodiesel production &
distribution companies
Quality Control System covers biodiesel
manufacturing, sampling, testing, blending,
storage, shipping, distribution
In 2008, 90% of the volume was BQ9000
There are two BQ-9000 designations:
 Producer (make it to spec)
 Marketer (buy spec, keep it in spec, blend it right)
BQ-9000 Status
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Since 2005, there has been a substantial increase
in interest in the NBB’s BQ-9000 Quality Program
We now have 36 total companies BQ-9000
certified (25 producers, 11 marketers)
Over 70% of the volume in the US in 2007 was
made by BQ-9000 producers, and more
certifications are in process
Many OEMs are now either requiring or strongly
encouraging BQ-9000
Using Biodiesel - performance
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B20 operates in conventional engines, just
like petroleum diesel
Few or no modifications needed to engine
or fuel system
 Most common measures include initial fuel
storage tank cleaning or fuel filter replacement
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Higher cetane and lubricity than diesel
Similar horsepower, torque and mileage as
diesel
Using Biodiesel - storage
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B20 can be stored and distributed using
existing petroleum diesel tanks and fueling
stations
B20 should be stored at temps at least 10F
above cloud point.
Stabilize fuels stored > 6 months
“Start today, stop tomorrow” technology
 Does not require major investment
 No significant barriers to entry OR exit
Using Biodiesel - cost effective
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Biodiesel the least cost, best
alternative to diesel
 Tax incentive brings cost of biodiesel
blends in line with or sometimes lower
than #2 Diesel
 Using B20 results in lower total annual
costs than other alternative fuels
Using Biodiesel - cold weather
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Untreated B20 freezes about 2-10 °F
faster than #2 petrodiesel
Use winter-blended diesel fuel.
Make sure B20 cloud point is adequate
for the region and time of year
(www.biodiesel.org/cold)
Consider storing in heated building or
tank
References: see www.biodiesel.org/cold for more information
High Profile Cold Weather Users
 Glacier National Park (MT)
 Yellowstone National Park
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(WY, MT, ID)
Grand Teton National Park
(WY)
Salt Lake City Airport
CO Ski Resorts
UC Boulder
Biodiesel Producers
Biodiesel Distributors
As of April 2008
Biodiesel Fleet Demonstration
 St.
Funded by a FTA Research Grant
Louis Metro Transit Agency
Compared vehicles operating in the field on B20 and ULSD over 18 months
 Kansas
City Area Transit Authority
Compared vehicles operating in the field on B20 and ULSD over 12 months
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Engine performance
Fuel economy
Vehicle maintenance cost
Fuel-induced variations in operation and maintenance
Lube oil performance
Biodiesel Fleet Demonstration
Study Findings
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No statistically significant difference
between buses running on B20 and ULSD
 On-road fuel economy; Reliability (Road Calls);Total
maintenance costs
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No other observed fuel system durability
issues
 Biodiesel blend variability (<B20)
 Lube oil data suggests no harm with B20 use
 Some potential benefits (soot, wear metals)
 TBN decrease, fuel dilution increase (but still “in-grade”)
Biodiesel Fleet Demonstration
Study Findings – cont.
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One difference in Fuel System and Engine
maintenance costs
 Fuel injector replacements (15 for B20 vs. 3 for ULSD)
 Skewed toward B20 buses; failure mode unknown
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Also replaced Fuel filters in B20 buses more often
 28 for B20 vs. 13 for ULSD
 Weighted replacements in first 2 months (2000 mile change
interval to account for the solvent effect)
 Replaced 10 fuel filters in B20 in Feb-07 – likely due to
unseasonably cold temps dropping below the cloud point of the
fuel
Thank you for your time!
Interested in further information?
•www.biodiesel.org
• Technical Library
• Biodiesel Bulletin
• Educational Videos Available
• Informational Resources
• Technical Resources
• On-line Database & Spec Sheets
• 2009 U.S. Diesel Vehicles List & biodiesel blend support level
at: http://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/OEM%20Statements/Diesels_for_Sale_in_US.pdf
•www.BQ-9000.org
Q&A
Thank you for your time today
and for your support for biodiesel.