Biotane Updates

12/07/07: ASTM Subcommittee Passes New Specifications for B6 to B20 Biodiesel Blends

Phoenix, AZ—After nearly six years of collaboration, ASTM has taken a leap forward in the process of creating a new specification that will cover blends of six-to-20 percent biodiesel (B6 “ B20).

The biodiesel blend specification passed out of ASTM International•s D02 Subcommittee E at the semi-annual ASTM meetings held in Phoenix, AZ this week and will clear the way for greater automaker approval of B20.

“This is a huge step forward for the biodiesel industry, as major engine companies and petroleum refiners joined the biodiesel industry in voting for passage of this ballot,” said Steve Howell, chairman of the ASTM Biodiesel Task Force.

“We have known for years that B20 made with in-spec biodiesel is a good quality, reliable fuel, but OEMs, regulators and customers have demanded formal ASTM passage of a B20 blend spec in order to broaden their support for biodiesel blends.

"The biodiesel industry is delivering that.”

The majority of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) view the adoption of an ASTM blended fuel specification as a key component for full, universal acceptance of B20, a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petrodiesel.

Chrysler has previously announced the company plans to issue formal support for B20 once ASTM has formally approved B20 specifications.

According to the ballot, the biodiesel portion of the B6-to-B20 specification must meet the standard for pure biodiesel prior to blending, and the finished blend must meet the widest of the specifications for either No. 1 or No. 2 diesel.

Parameters to measure acid number and stability were also added to the finished blend specification as an additional assurance of the fuel’s stability over time.

In addition, the specifications allow the 90 percent distillation point to be 5 degrees C higher for the blend.

The subcommittee also passed ballots that would allow the formal incorporation of up to 5 percent biodiesel into the existing specification for diesel fuel (ASTM D 975) and the existing specification for home heating oil (ASTM D 396).

The biodiesel portion must meet ASTM D 6751 prior to blending; the specification limits the biodiesel content to 5 percent and lower; and the finished specifications remain the same as those currently in place for petrodiesel, with no changes.

The subcommittee also made refinements to the current standard for pure biodiesel, ASTM D 6751.

Changes to the B100 blend stock specification were needed to address the potential issue of filter clogging above the cloud point with B20 and lower blends.

This also passed Subcommittee E this week.

This was critical, as ASTM members voted in December 2006 that finished blends would not be allowed to pass until this issue was addressed at the B100 level.

All of the ballots will now need final approval from the Main Committee at the June 2008 ASTM meeting.

For more information, call Brendan Prebo at 313-565-4700, or Jenna Higgins at 800-841-5849.

11/01/07: New Holland supports the use of B100 biodiesel

New Holland today announced it supports the use of B100 biodiesel in all equipment with New Holland-manufactured diesel engines, including electronic injection engines with common rail technology. The announcement consolidates New Holland’s leading position on biodiesel, ensuring its customers have the widest and most comprehensive choice of biodiesel-supported machinery on the market.

Overall, nearly 80% of New Holland-branded products with diesel engines are now available to operate on B100 biodiesel. New Holland has also asked other suppliers of diesel engines used in New Holland-branded products to test and approve higher levels of biodiesel.

In addition to extensive testing and development within the company, New Holland has been involved in an ongoing research project in collaboration with Penn State University to put B100 to the test under real-life conditions. Penn State’s College of Agriculture is operating new, unmodified New Holland tractors on B100 biodiesel on their 1,500-acre research farm to find out what diesel equipment owners can expect to experience when they use B100. After nearly two years of use, the tractors have performed with no adverse effects in performance or maintenance, according to Glen Cauffman, the university's manager of farm operations and services.

Paul Trella, New Holland Director of Product Marketing for Under-100 HP Tractors, said that by supporting B100 use, New Holland is making a leap forward in its commitment to renewable energy. “We are committed to providing equipment that is compliant with biodiesel use, and to providing top-rate biodiesel support for our customers. As the use of biodiesel continues to gain greater acceptance and the infrastructure for providing a quality product to consumers, New Holland equipment is ready,” Trella said.

Trella stressed it is essential to use high-quality biodiesel produced to ASTM D6751 standards from a reputable supplier who can offer consistent fuel quality to ensure optimum performance and engine durability. It is up to us as consumers to insist that the supply meets standards. With the use of approved fuels, it is also essential that biodiesel be used in strict compliance with proper handling, storage and maintenance requirements to maintain the integrity of the fuel.

Details of the models that can run on B100, as well as New Holland’s requirements and recommendations to do so safely, are available from New Holland dealers or at www.newholland.com/na/biodiesel.

New Holland is a world leader in agricultural, utility and construction equipment. New Holland sells and services an innovative and diverse line of agricultural and utility equipment, including a full line of tractors as well as hay and forage equipment, harvesting, crop production and material handling equipment.

Sales, parts and service are provided to customers by New Holland dealers throughout the United States and Canada. There are more than 1,100 New Holland dealerships located throughout North America.

For more information on New Holland products, contact your local New Holland dealer or visit the New Holland Web site at www.newholland.com/na.

03/22/07: Cummins Approves B20 Biodiesel Blends for Use in its 2002 and Later Emissions-Compliant Engines

Louisville, KY--Cummins Inc. announced March 22 the approval of biodiesel B20 blends for use in its 2002 and later emissions-compliant ISX, ISM, ISL, ISC and ISB engines. This includes the recently released 2007 products.

Cummins is able to upgrade its previous position on the use of biodiesel fuel, which limited the use to B5 blends only, up to B20 for three key reasons.

First, the American Society of Testing Materials specification ASTM D6751 now includes an important stability specification for B100 biodiesel.

Second, the availability of quality fuels from BQ-9000 Certified Marketers and Accredited Producers is growing rapidly; and third, Cummins has completed the necessary testing and evaluations to ensure that customers can reliably operate their equipment with confidence using B20 fuel.

“We have completed exhaustive analysis and test evaluations which enable Cummins to provide the necessary guidance and information to our customers for the proper and successful use of this fuel in our engine,” said Edward Lyford-Pike, Chief Engineer – Advanced Alternative Fuel Programs.

“This will enable our customers to have a choice that includes renewable fuel.”

The popularity and use of biodiesel fuel continues to climb. Recent studies predict that, by 2008, 1.2 billion gallons of B100 biodiesel will be produced in the United States.

Cummins will continue its efforts to ensure that future products will be compatible with biodiesel fuels, and will continue to participate in industry efforts aimed at the development of consistent quality throughout the biodiesel industry.

01/10/07: Florez backs biodiesel bills to help air quality

Excerpt from "Bakersfield Californian, The (CA)".

Cottonseeds, soy beans and even the algae lining our canals could be fueling buses and trucks in California if Sen. Dean Florez gets his way.

The Shafter Democrat is expected to announce a series of air quality bills today that would require school buses and government-owned vehicles to run on biodiesel, a fuel produced from a variety of organic sources, including vegetable oils, animal fats and even restaurant grease.

The bills also aim to bring more biodiesel production to California through tax credits.

"We have all the ingredients (in California) to make this a very viable market," Florez said, noting Central Valley farmers could play an important part in the plan. Even algae from water banks and canal liners could be a fuel source, he said.

Biodiesel is considered a renewable, clean-burning fuel. The legislation would mandate a minimum blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel in the state.

"This is stuff that can go into the tank, immediately," Florez said. "It's the most readily available and the most implementable given we don't have to have any retrofits of motors."

Big rigs and buses are one of the largest polluters in the Central Valley.

The biodiesel bills come in conjunction with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's announcement Tuesday of the first ever transportation fuel standards, which will require a 10 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in automobile by 2020.

The governor's plan requires gas and oil producers to cut the carbon content in fuel and encourages producers to pursue fuel alternatives like biofuels and ethanol. It is the first step toward implementing the Global Warming Solutions Act, adopted in September, which mandates the goal of reducing greenhouse gasses by 25 percent by 2020.

But not everyone is endorsing the use of biodiesel as alternative fuel.

While biodiesel reduces the amount of cancer-causing fumes and particulates put into the air by traditional diesel, it doesn't cut nitrogen oxides, a main contributor to ozone pollution, according to air quality experts.

Some studies suggest biodiesel produces more nitrogen oxides than diesel, while others show it's about the same, they said.

"I think we really need to wait and see any future studies coming out," said Scott Nester, planning director for the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution District.

The state Air Resources Board doesn't even consider biodiesel and alternative fuel at this time, according to spokeswoman Gennet Paauwe.

However, Paauwe said it could be just a matter of years until a way to reduce the nitrogen oxides produces by biodiesels is discovered.

"It's probably just a matter of time before the technology comes along," she said.

Also, she said, many engine manufacturers won't uphold warranties when biodiesel is used.

Paauwe said great strides have already been made using traditional diesel, including improved pollution controls on engines and a new low-sulfur form of the fuel.

Biodiesel has a downside. The city of Berkeley switched to fueling its garbage trucks and service vehicles with biodiesel about three years ago. About 18 months in, five diesel engines were ruined by a bad batch of pure biodiesel, according to Matt Nichols, the city's principal transportation planner.

The city switched to a biodiesel supplier that guarantees the quality of the fuel, he said. Berkeley now uses a 20 percent blend, since pure biodiesel is more expensive than blends.

According to Florez, the most recent studies on biodiesel suggest that the amount of nitrogen oxides it produces is the same as regular diesel.

"The air district and others want to wait for additional science in terms of this issue, but, to us, it's kind of foolish," he said.

Along with cleaner air, Florez said his initiative helps California become more energy self-sufficient.

"Becoming more self-dependent is ultimately the goal of this package as well," he said.

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