Biodiesel Mythbusters

June 30, 2010

Myth: Biodiesel is an experimental fuel and has not been thoroughly tested.

Fact: Biodiesel is one of the most thoroughly tested alternative fuels on the market. A number of independent studies

performed by the U.S. DOE, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, (NREL) U.S. DOA, Stanadyne Corp. (the largest diesel fuel injection equipment manufacturer in the U.S.), Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, and Southwest Research Institute – have shown that biodiesel performs comparably to petroleum diesel and with greater benefits to the environment and human health.

Myth: No objective biodiesel fuel standard exists.

Fact: The biodiesel industry has been active in setting quality standards for biodiesel for more than 15 years. ASTM specifications exist for diesel fuel and biodiesel fuel blends from 6 to 20 percent (B6 – B20 (D7467-09)), biodiesel blends up to B5 to be used for on- and off-road diesel applications (D975-08a), and home heating and boiler applications (D396-08b). ASTM approved the original specification for pure B100 (D6751) in December 2001. These performance-based ASTM specifications apply regardless of the feedstock materials used to make the fuel. Copies of specifications are available from ASTM at www.astm.org.

Myth: Biodiesel does not perform as well as petroleum diesel.

Fact: One of the major advantages of biodiesel is the fact that it can be used in most existing diesel engines and fuel injection equipment in blends up to 20 percent with little impact on operating performance. Biodiesel has a higher cetane number than U.S. diesel fuel. In more than 50 million miles of in-field demonstrations, B20 showed similar fuel consumption, horsepower, torque, and haulage rates as conventional diesel fuel. Biodiesel also has superior lubricity, and it has the highest Btu content of any alternative fuel (falling in the range between No. 1 and No. 2 diesel fuel).

Myth: Biodiesel in any blend is incompatible with the new 2010+ diesel engine technologies.

Fact: The new engine emissions control systems in the 2010+ vehicles are all still readily compatible with blends up to at least B5. Rumors about incompatibility stem from concerns about the possibility of increased engine oil dilution that can come into play with the use of higher biodiesel blends (B10 and higher) in the few new light-duty diesel vehicles that utilize an emissions control system with in-cylinder post-injection technology.

However, recent research studies by Volkswagen as well as the NREL all concluded that despite the slightly higher oil dilution levels with biodiesel blends above B10, the oil viscosity levels still remained in an uncritical range and there were no negative impacts on vehicle emissions, engine performance, or parts wear as a result of the biodiesel use. With proactive oil change service intervals and the responsible use of high quality biodiesel blends meeting ASTM specifications, you can still fuel up confidently with blends up to B20, per manufacturers’ recommendations, without concern for engine performance. More studies on higher blends of biodiesel are planned for the near future.

Myth: Biodiesel use voids manufacturers’ engine warranties.

Fact: All major U.S. automakers and engine manufacturers accept the use of up to at least B5, and many major engine companies have stated formally that the use of high-quality biodiesel blends up to B20 will not void their parts and workmanship warranties. For a listing of specific statements from the engine companies, please visit the National Biodiesel Board Web site at www.biodiesel.org/resources/oems.

Myth: Biodiesel has fuel quality problems.

Fact: A2008 study released by the NREL shows the biodiesel industry has met national fuel quality standards substantially. The study demonstrated that plants certified under BQ-9000 consistently hit the quality mark. BQ-9000 is a voluntary fuel quality assurance program that couples the foundations of universally accepted quality management systems with the biodiesel product specification (ASTM D6751). The program covers storage, sampling, testing, blending, shipping, distribution, and fuel management practices. Biodiesel production facilities certified as producers under the program cover nearly 80 percent of the U.S. biodiesel market volume.

Myth: Biodiesel doesn’t work in cold weather.

Fact: Properly managed, high-quality biodiesel blends are used successfully in the coldest of climates. Biodiesel will gel in very cold temperatures, just as common No. 2 diesel does. Although pure biodiesel has a higher cloud point than No. 2 diesel fuel, typical blends of 20 percent biodiesel are treated with similar techniques as No. 2 diesel. Blends of 5 percent biodiesel and less have virtually no impact on cold weather operability. See www.biodiesel.org/cold for a cold weather guide.

Myth: Biodiesel increases greenhouse gases because it causes land to be cleared.

Fact: New cropland is not needed to make biodiesel because it is generally produced from co-products of crops already being grown. From 2004 to 2008, when U.S. biodiesel production climbed from 25 million to 700 million gallons, soybean acres here stayed virtually the same, and soybean acres in Brazil decreased. Surplus stocks of U.S. fats and oils are sufficient to meet near- and medium-term biodiesel target volumes.

Myth: Biodiesel contributes to rising food prices.

Fact: Biodiesel actually has the opposite effect, driving protein meal and ultimately food costs down. Produced from a variety of renewable resources, such as plant oils, fats, recycled grease, and even algae, biodiesel is the most diverse fuel on the planet. And soybean-based biodiesel actually has a positive impact on the world’s food supply. Processing biodiesel from soybeans uses only the oil portion of the soybean, leaving all of the protein available to nourish livestock and humans. By creating a new market for soybean oil, we increase the availability of protein-rich meal for human and livestock consumption. The increased meal supply results in a more cost-effective food and feed source.

National Biodiesel Board,605 Clark Ave., Jefferson City, MO 65101, 573-635-3893, info@biodiesel.org, www.biodiesel.org