Biodiesel Utilization

Ann Brennan, ManagerTechnology Integration Group

Center for Transportation Technologies & Systems

Mobilizing NC ConferenceApril 18, 2007

2

What is NREL?

• National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO

Nation’s premier laboratory dedicated to renewable energy and energy efficiency R&D

Established by U.S. Department of Energy in 1977Programs span basic science to technology

implementation; solar, wind, and buildings to fuels and vehicles

Center for Transportation Technologies and Systems Advanced Vehicle Systems: hybrids and PHEVs, auxiliary loads,

energy storage, tires Fuels Performance: renewable and advanced fuels research and

testing, ReFUEL vehicle lab Technology Evaluation & Integration: fleet evaluation; data and

information; support to fleets, Clean Cities, Alternative Fuels Data Center

3

What is biodiesel?

• Mono-alkyl esters of fatty acids (i.e., methyl or ethyl esters)

• Mostly made from soybean oil; also other oils, waste fats & grease

• Made in chemical reaction that combines oil, alcohol, and catalyst

• Must meet the quality requirements of ASTM D6751

• Typically used as blend with petrodiesel (up to 20%)

• $1/gal tax credit for agri-biodiesel (vegetable oil/animal fat), $0.50/gal for waste cooking oil – initiated in January 2005

4

What is NOT biodiesel?

•Biodiesel is NOT unrefined vegetable oil or used cooking oil

•The much higher boiling point and viscosity of straight vegetable oil leads to engine carbon deposits, reducing engine life or increasing maintenance costs

•Fact sheet can be found here http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy06osti/39733.pdf

5

How is Biodiesel being used in US?

• As a blending stock with petrodiesel (B20)

Federal, state, and alternative fuel provider fleets EPAct and Executive Order Compliance Other public and private fleets

• In low levels with petrodiesel (B2)

Lubricity and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel Agriculture supporting its own product

• Very limited B100 Use

6

Biodiesel Production

•National Biodiesel Board estimates 250 million gallons for 2006•Current production capacity is more than 500 million annual gallons•More than 500 million annual gallons under construction or planned

0

10,000,000

20,000,000

30,000,000

40,000,000

50,000,000

60,000,000

70,000,000

80,000,000G

allo

ns

per

Yea

r

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

7

Biodiesel Blenders Tax Credit

• American Jobs Creation Act 2004

• 1¢ per percentage of biodiesel blended

Vegetable oils and animal fats B20 = 20 ¢, B2 = 2 ¢

• 1/2 ¢ for recycled oils

• Must meet ASTM D6751

• Highway Trust Fund is not impacted

• Effective January 1, 2005

• Expires December 31, 2008 (extended in 2005 Energy Policy Act)

8

Biodiesel Operational Issues (≤ B20)

• Fuel Properties

High cetane, ultra-low sulfur, high lubricity, poor cold flow

• Fuel quality and proper storage are critical

Compliance with ASTM D6751

• No engine modification required

• Slightly reduced fuel economy

B100 is ~10% lower energy content per gallon than diesel

• Potential for reduced oil drain interval based on lower particulate matter emissions

• Warranty coverage varies by manufacturer

9

Emission Benefits of B20

• Broad agreement on emission reductions:

10% to 25% reduction in PM, depending on engine, test cycle, and other factors

10% to 20% reductions in CO, HC, and toxic compounds

• Several studies confirm life-cycle CO2 emission reductions ~16% for B20

• Impact on NOx emissions is less certain

10

Biodiesel Effect on NOx

• NOx can go up or down depending on engine and cycle

–This is not well understood quantitatively

• Compilations of available data that are not weighted to one engine model show no change in NOx on average for B20

• Based on the data available today:

–B20 appears to have no significant or consistent impact on NOx emissions

http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy07osti/40554.pdf

11

B20 results in substantial PM reduction even with DPF

B20 Testing with Diesel Particulate Filter

Williams, et al., “Effect of Biodiesel Blends on Diesel Particulate Filter Performance” SAE 2006-01-3280

Reduction with DPF ranges from 20% to 70%, depending on basefuel, test cycle, and other factors• Reduction in sulfate emissions• Increased PM reactivity caused by biodiesel

12

Biodiesel Fleet Evaluations

• Compares B20 to diesel control group

Identical engines, similar routesData collected on fuel use, mileage, maintenance, emissions

Fleet Location Vehicle

Denver RTD Boulder, CO Orion V / Cummins ISM – 40’ transit bus

St. Louis Metro St. Louis, MO Gillig / Cummins ISM – 40’ transit bus

USPS Miami, FL Mack model MR866P tractor and Ford 9-ton cargo van

13

RTD: Fuel Economy and Maintenance

•Study concluded in July 2006•24 month duration•Over 100,000 miles per vehicle•Slightly higher maintenance costs for B20

•Not statistically significant•Caused by one event near end of study

•Oil analysis indicates no harm in terms of ZDDP and TBN decay, oxidation, fuel dilution, or viscosity.•Potential advantage in lower soot loading, lower wear metals.

Fuel Economy Comparison

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Aug-04

Oct-04

Dec-04

Feb-05

Apr-05

Jun-05

Aug-05

Oct-05

Dec-05

Feb-06

Apr-06

Jun-06

Aug-06

MP

G

Diesel Group B20 Group

Running Engine, Fuel System Maintenance Cost

per Mile

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

Aug-04

Oct-04

Dec-04

Feb-05

Apr-05

Jun-05

Aug-05

Oct-05

Dec-05

Feb-06

Apr-06

Jun-06

Aug-06

$/m

ile

Diesel Group B20 Group

http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/40128.pdf

14

USPS Fleet Results

• Mack engine & maintenance costs similar until Nov 03 injector replacementSuspected cause is out-of-specification B20 fuel

• Differences not observed in Ford cargo vansDifferences in maintenance costs not attributed to

biodiesel-related issues

B20 Data Period

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

Aug-0

0

Nov-0

0

Feb-0

1

May

-01

Aug-0

1

Nov-0

1

Feb-0

2

May

-02

Aug-0

2

Nov-0

2

Feb-0

3

May

-03

Aug-0

3

Nov-0

3

Feb-0

4

May

-04

Aug-0

4

Co

st p

er M

ile, $

Diesel Ft. Lauderdale B20 Miami

B20 Data Period

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0.14

Sep-0

2

Nov-0

2

Jan-

03

Mar-

03

May

-03

Jul-0

3

Sep-0

3

Nov-0

3

Jan-

04

Mar-

04

May

-04

Jul-0

4

Sep-0

4

Co

st

per

Mile

, $

Diesel Tampa B20 Miami

Mack Ford

http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/38509.pdf

15

NBB Fleet Evaluation Team

• A preliminary report, “Equipment Effects Of Using B20, a 20% Biodiesel Blended Fuel, As a Replacement for Diesel Fuel in the United States”

• Review of data from four fleet studies

• Findings

Filter plugging Materials compatibility Fleets “satisfied” with B20 use

• Technical Recommendations

Ensure biodiesel meets ASTM specs Ensure homogenous product Avoid long-term storage Be aware of cold weather properties

http://www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodiesel/guide/B20_Fleet_Recommendations.pdf

16

Closing Remarks

•Biodiesel is a significant sustainable energy resource for the United States•Use of high quality biodiesel meeting ASTM D6751 is critical for good performance

•Work is ongoing to develop ASTM specifications for biodiesel blends•B20 produces robust reductions in emissions of soot, toxics, and carbon monoxide

•There are not sufficient data to say if B20 blends cause NOx, on average, to go up or down

•Quantitative fleet evaluation results show no significant difference in operating costs or engine wear for use of petrodiesel versus B20

– much more in-use data is required to fully understand B20 impacts•Major research need is testing of biodiesel in post-2006 engines

17

Biodiesel Resources

• NREL Fuels Group: Biodiesel Publicationshttp://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pubs_biodiesel.html

• DOE Alternative Fuels Data Centerhttp://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/altfuel/biodiesel.html PublicationsFederal & state incentivesHandling & use guidelinesStation locations

• DOE Regulated Fleet Programs http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/epact/

• National Biodiesel Boardhttp://www.biodiesel.org