An Introduction to Biodiesel

John Bush
John@boulderbiodiesel.com
www.boulderbiodiesel.com
 Diesel Engine Basics
• Invented by Rudolf Diesel in
1894
• Four Stroke, Internal
Combustion Engine
– Intake
– Compression
– Power
– Exhaust
• Similar to gasoline engine,
except that whereas
gasoline engines are spark
ignition, Diesel engines are
compression ignition
More about Diesel Engines. . .
• Rudolf Diesel’s
original concept
allowed a variety of
fuels to be used
• An early version of
the Diesel engine
was demonstrated
using peanut oil as
fuel
(From www.journeytoforever.org)
 Modern Diesel Engines
• Today, Diesel engines are optimized to run on a
petroleum product which we call diesel fuel, a variety
of middle distillates defined by the specification
ASTM D975.
• Modern Diesel engines use a complex array of
sensors and computers to optimize performance and
emissions, and have very stringent fuel requirements
compared with the original Diesel engines of 100
years ago.
• Vegetable Oil has a higher viscosity than petrodiesel,
and therefore is problematic as a neat fuel for
modern engines. Damage to the engine and fuel
system can result.
How is Vegetable Oil Used to
Fuel Modern Diesel Engines?
Two Different Approaches . . .
• Make Biodiesel, using the vegetable oil as feedstock
• Heat the vegetable oil (to ~180°F) to significantly
reduce its viscosity prior to its introduction to the
engine.
Although both of these techniques are used to achieve
the same goal of viscosity reduction, they are very
different by nature. There are advantages and
disadvantages to either approach.
 What is Biodiesel?
• Biodiesel is a fuel made from vegetable oils
and alcohols utilizing a chemical process
called transesterification.
• The resulting mono-alkyl esters have an
acceptable viscosity and can be used
interchangeably with petroleum diesel.
• No engine modifications are required, and
biodiesel blends easily with petroleum diesel.
 Transesterification

O O
|| ||
CH2 - O - C - R1 CH3 - O - C - R1
|
| O O CH2 - OH
| || || |
CH - O - C - R2 + 3 CH3OH => CH3 - O - C - R2 + CH - OH
| (KOH) |
| O O CH2 - OH
| || ||
CH2 - O - C - R3 CH3 - O - C - R3

Triglyceride methanol mixture of fatty esters glycerin

 Advantages of Biodiesel
• Renewable, domestically produced, agriculturally-based biofuel
– New or Used Vegetable Oil
– Animal Fats
– Other Biomass-derived Triglycerides
• Cleaner Burning than Petroleum Diesel
– Can be considered carbon neutral due to short-term carbon
cycle
• Uses existing technology and Infrastructure
• Safe to Store and Handle
– Non-flammable, Nontoxic, and biodegrades much faster
than petrodiesel
• Higher lubricity and cetane than petrodiesel
 Disadvantages of Biodiesel
• Higher Cloud Point than Petroleum Diesel
– Soy based ~ 30 F
– Canola based ~ 20 F
• Material Compatibility
– Natural Rubber & Nitrile not so good
– Teflon and Viton are Good
• Cost
– Usually more expensive than petrodiesel
• Supply
– Currently much lower than petrodiesel
• Performance
– Up to 5% reduction in power and fuel economy is normal
 The Biodiesel Industry
• Very rapidly growing in the U.S., mostly soy-
based.
• Generally supported by left and right wing of
political spectrum.
• Most often sold blended with petroleum diesel
– B100 = 100% Bio, 0% Petro
– B20 = 20% Bio, 80% Petro
– B5 = 5% Bio, 95% Petro
– B2 = 2% Bio, 98% Petro
 The Biodiesel Industry
• Biodiesel in the US is defined by ASTM
D6751
• Biodiesel sold commercially in the US must
meet this specification, and producers must
be registered with the EPA.
• Currently, only members of the National
Biodiesel Board have access to the EPA
registration requirements.
NBB website - www.biodiesel.org
 Using Biodiesel: The Basics
• Equipment must be powered by a Diesel
engine. Biodiesel itself cannot be used to
power spark ignition (gasoline) engines, and
spark ignition engines cannot be converted to
compression ignition (Diesel) engines.
• No modifications to the operation of the diesel
engine are requirement. Biodiesel can be
used interchangeably with petrodiesel.
Using Biodiesel: Finding a
Diesel Car

Good Luck!
 Using Biodiesel: Finding a
Diesel Car
Seriously, though they are hard to find, the
following resources may be useful for finding
used diesel vehicles, in addition to the local
newspaper listings.
• www.craigslist.org - don’t just limit yourself to
the local search!
• www.ebay.com
In addition, there are many biodiesel-oriented
websites that feature classified ads for buying
and selling of diesel vehicles. Use your
favorite internet search engine to find them.
 Using Biodiesel: Finding a
Diesel Car
New diesel vehicles available in the US?

Although in recent years, diesel vehicles

have been offered by Volkswagen,
Jeep, Mercedes, Ford, Chevy, Dodge,
and others, currently the market is in
transition due to the switch to ULSD
occuring right now. Check with dealers.
 Using Biodiesel: Some
Factors to Consider
Material Compatibility
• Some fuel hoses and gaskets used in
older vehicles are more susceptible to
breakdown by biodiesel.
• Monitor condition of fuel hoses and
gaskets and replace if necessary.
 Using Biodiesel: Some
Factors to Consider
Biodiesel is a powerful solvent
• Occasionally, older vehicles previously
powered by petrodiesel will have deposits in
the fuel tank leftover from the diesel fuel that
can be loosened by biodiesel. These deposits
can then travel through the fuel lines and clog
fuel filters.
• Monitor engine performance and replace fuel
filter(s) if necessary.
 Using Biodiesel: Some
Factors to Consider
Many Vehicle and Engine Manufacturers in the
US do not approve biodiesel except for in
very low blends with petrodiesel.
• Although warranties cannot be voided by
using “unapproved” fuels, users of biodiesel
in new equipment still under warranty should
be aware that “fuel related problems” may not
be covered by warranty.
• Official statements from most OEM
manufacturers regarding their position on
biodiesel use can be found at
www.biodiesel.org
 Using Biodiesel: Some
Factors to Consider
Cold Weather Factors
• Biodiesel will gel at relatively high
temperatures. Proper steps must be
taken to use biodiesel in cold weather.
• Blending with petrodiesel or kerosene
will lower gel point accordingly.
• Fuel heating systems can be effective.
 Using Biodiesel: Finding a
Retailer
• The National Biodiesel Board maintains
a directory of registered producers,
distributors, and retailers at
www.biodiesel.org
• Current retail prices in Colorado are
$3.00 - $3.40 per gallon
 Using Biodiesel: Other
Options???
• Make your own!!!
• Biodiesel is
relatively easy to
make, and you don’t
have to be a
chemical engineer to
do it.
• You can use
recycled fryer oil
from restaurants.
 Using Biodiesel: Make Your
Own
• Some great online resources to learn
how (there are many, many more)
– www.boulderbiodiesel.com
– www.biodieselcommunity.org
– biodiesel.infopop.cc
– www.localb100.com
 Using Biodiesel: Make Your
Own
• Making biodiesel for personal use (i.e.
you are not making it to sell) is legal,
however
– Educate yourself on proper safety
procedures and responsible waste
disposal!
– Learn proper procedures for making good
biodiesel to avoid fuel quality problems;
lots of misinformation is out there . . .
 Using Biodiesel: Make Your
Own
There are several organizations and
professionals in Colorado who teach
workshops on small-scale biodiesel
processing.
• www.boulderbiodiesel.com
• www.denverbiodiesel.org
• Solar Energy International -
www.solarenergy.org
 In Summary:
• Biodiesel is a renewable biofuel for diesel
engines.
• Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine,
no modifications are required.
• Use in older vehicles may require a few extra
filter replacements, and may require checking
to ensure material compatibly when first
switching to biodiesel.
• Adequate precautions should be taken when
operating in cold weather to avoid fuel gelling
problems.
An Introduction to Biodiesel

John Bush
John@boulderbiodiesel.com
www.boulderbiodiesel.com