With an ever-increasing population adding to the deterioration of the state’s air quality, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and California Energy Commission hosted a two-day symposium in mid-August to discuss alternative diesel fuels as a strategy to address California’s air quality and energy issues. While fuels such as water emulsified diesel, ethanol diesel, and Fisher-Tropsche diesel were addressed the first day, biodiesel headlined the second day, beginning with Steve Howell, technical director, National Biodiesel Board (NBB), and chairman, biodiesel standard committee, American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM). He explained the nuts and bolts of biodiesel, including listing beef tallow, pork lard, and used cooking oils as feedstocks for biodiesel production. Howell stated that it took seven years to develop an ASTM standard for 100 percent biodiesel (B100) and a specification for a 20 percent blend of biodiesel and petroleum diesel, referred to as B20, is currently under development with an anticipated release in late 2004.
Tom Durbin, University of California, Riverside, shared research his engineering department conducted on vehicle emissions using five various diesel fuels, including biodiesel produced from yellow grease. His results showed that fuels with cetane numbers, a measurement of a fuel’s ignition delay, in excess of 60 performed best when it came to reducing emissions. The yellow grease-based biodiesel used in the testing had a cetane of 60 compared to two soy-based biodiesel fuels with a cetane of 50.
Durbin’s next study will test two yellow grease-based and one soy-based biodiesel fuels in a project sponsored by the Department of Defense and conducted at the Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center at Point Hueneme, CA.
A perspective from the Engine Manufacturing Association (EMA) was given next by Vinod Duggal, whose rationale for using biodiesel is to reduce energy dependency on petroleum-based fuels and the potential to reduce emissions. He stated that EMA and fuel injection equipment manufacturers have approved using a five percent blend of biodiesel with petroleum diesel, so long as the B100 meets ASTM standards. The EMA’s position on biodiesel is posted on their Web site at www.enginemanufacturers.org/admin/library/upload/297.pdf.
A producer’s side of biodiesel was presented by Fred Wellons, Baker Commodities, who stated that California has more recycled oils than virgin vegetable oils. He explained during his promotion of using animal fats and recycled cooking oil in biodiesel production that current research shows the energy life cycle of soy is three-to-one and recycled cooking oil is seven-to-one. Wellons recommended using producers or suppliers who are NBB members and who supply fuel that meets ASTM standards to ensure quality. Baker is currently using a two percent blend of biodiesel in their Los Angeles fleet.
Graham Noyes, World Energy, stressed that users need to specify their cloud point when purchasing biodiesel for fleets and said there is an opportunity for biodiesel to displace five to 10 percent of foreign oil.
“It’s not a total solution,” he commented. “It’s a petroleum enhancer and extender made from waste materials as well as virgin oils.” Noyes stated that the regulation driving biodiesel use is the Energy Policy Act, of which B20 is the minimum threshold level. He pointed out that under Executive Order 13149, federal fleets with 20 or more vehicles must cut their petroleum use by 20 percent by fiscal year 2005. Many military fleets have already switched to using biodiesel.
Howell reappeared to address the future of biodiesel, stating that the driving forces behind using the alternative fuel is an excess supply of fats and oils, a desire to use cleaner burning fuel, and the fact that biodiesel is safe to handle. He reiterated Wellons’ statement that it was critical for biodiesel to meet ASTM specifications so as not to experience engine problems. Currently, there are 85 biodiesel bills pending in 33 states, with bills passed in 10 states since May. Howell wrapped up by stating the biodiesel industry’s direction should be to form partnerships with the petroleum industry, original equipment manufacturers, and government agencies.
The symposium also included presentations by biodiesel users, including Kent Bullard, Channel Islands National Park, who has won numerous awards for his crusade on using biodiesel. He explained the park, which is comprised of three islands off the coast of California, is petroleum-free through the use of solar, wind, and biodiesel. The park’s marine fleet is the biggest user of the alternative fuel. Bullard encouraged other biodiesel users to “toot your own horn” and share biodiesel success stories to help promote the fuel, adding that the National Park Service is currently operating 670 pieces of equipment on biodiesel. He said the obstacles for the biodiesel industry to overcome are feedstock availability, feedstock oil competition, local fuel production, unequal tax or production support, fuel distribution, and nitrogen oxide levels, which increase two to four percent with yellow grease-based biodiesel and 12 to 14 percent with soy-based fuel.
Dave Williamson, Berkeley Ecology Center, shared his success story of using 100 percent biodiesel produced from recycled cooking oil in all of the center’s recycling trucks.
“I was impressed, as a fleet manager, with the sustainability of biodiesel,” he stated, adding that there has been no reduction in torque in the center’s fleet. Williamson advised those considering using biodiesel in their fleet to hire a project manager, inspect and clean fuel tanks prior to using biodiesel, and to check fuel lines once the fuel is being used.
“Most of the problems I’ve had have been on fuel handling issues,” he stated, such as contamination while in the storage tank. Howell explained he would like to see CARB certification for biodiesel and some permitting relief on biodiesel dispensing facilities.
“People get it!” he exclaimed. “They understand that biodiesel is sustainable. There’s a lot of community support for biodiesel.”
Presentations from the symposium are available on the Internet at www.arb.ca.gov/fuels/diesel/altdiesel/altdieselsym.htm.
One-Stop Fuel Shop Opens
Drivers may look twice at a new fueling station in San Diego, CA. Along with prices posted for gasoline and diesel are prices for six alternative fuels, including biodiesel. The new Regional Transportation Center (RTC) is the world’s first and most advanced alternative fuel depot, according to Mike Lewis, general manager of the RTC.
“We are excited to be the first public facility in San Diego to be dispensing biodiesel,” Lewis said. “The response has been very positive. We know the prospects for biodiesel are almost unlimited with the large number of diesels on the roads here as well as the interest the average citizen has in the environment. We hope one day to sell so much B20 that we add B100.”
Imperial Western Products (IWP) supplies yellow grease-based biodiesel from their Coachella, CA, plant to a distributor who blends the fuel with a low-sulfur petroleum diesel before it is sent to the fueling station and sold as B20. According to IWP’s Bob Clark, 13,000 gallons of biodiesel has been blended in the first two months of RTC’s operation.
Other alternative fuels available at the new station are liquefied propane gas, ethanol, compressed natural gas, an electrical charging station, and ultra low-sulfur diesel. Three standard grades of gasoline are also available to fuel bi-fuel, flex-fuel, and conventional automobiles. The fuels are dispensed from futuristic, eight-foot tall “Eclipse” pumps, which also made their debut at the fuel depot. In addition, motorists get the “white glove” full service treatment at no charge from attendants dressed in 1950s era uniforms.
Although gasoline and diesel sales currently pay the bills, the center is well positioned for California’s clean vehicle movement, aimed at fighting the nation’s worst air pollution while cutting dependence on oil. The state has set a goal of having one of every 10 new vehicles sold in the state be non-polluting by 2018.
According to the Associated Press, the $15 million RTC was conceived more than five years ago by a Ford dealership marketing executive. The center includes a garage with mechanics specialized in alternative-fuel vehicles and an education center.
Belgium Says No
According to inform magazine, Belgian authorities have refused Allvet of Bruges permission to build a refinery to convert used cooking oil to biofuels. This practice is permitted in The Netherlands, United Kingdom, and other European Union member states. Production of biofuels from rapeseed oil, is, however, permitted in Belgium.
The Belgian ban on using used cooking oil is a direct consequence of the dioxin problem in the food sector. Strict Belgian regulations classify used cooking oil as a waste product that is not on the list of secondary raw materials permitted for recycling or processing as a biofuel. Allvet is presently collecting waste cooking oil from companies for export to countries for conversion to oleochemicals and biofuel.
Approximately 50,000 metric tons of used cooking oil is generated in Belgium each year.
Biodiesel Bulletin - October 2003 Render