MT DEQ presentation on biodiesel.

1. Howard Haines
YTCEC
Alternate Fuel Vehicle Workshop
Bozeman, MT
April 15, 2015
BIODIESEL IN MONTANA
Earl Fisher Biofuels LLP

2. Topics for Today:
• Introduction to Biodiesel (What it is, and is not)
• ASTM Specifications, warranty & Biodiesel Fuel Quality
• Diesel Fuel & Biodiesel Use
• General switchover items & maintenance
• Fleet examples: YNP history and
Montana Department of Transportation
• Biodiesel Resources
• Q & A
2

3. Questions for you:
• What is the most often reported problem
when starting the use of biodiesel?
• How does one prevent this?
• What does one do in cold climate operation if
one suspects biodiesel is clogging a filter?

4. What is Biodiesel?
100 Lbs.
Vegetable Oil
or
Animal Fat
+
10 Lbs.
Alcohol
100 Lbs.
Biodiesel
+
10 Lbs.
Glycerin
In the presence of a
catalyst
Reacting: Yields
:
Produces mono-alkyl esters –
chemically similar to diesel fuel

5. Definitions
• Biodiesel, n. -- a fuel comprised of mono-
alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived
from vegetable oils or animal fats, meeting
ASTM D 6751, designated B100 blend
stock.
• Biodiesel Blend, n. -- a blend of biodiesel
fuel with petroleum-based diesel fuel
designated BXX, where XX is the volume
percent of biodiesel.
• Diesel (ASTM D 975) now includes
blends up to B5

6. ASTM D6751 is the approved standard for B100 for blending up
to B20, in effect since 2001
– Performance-based standard: Feedstock and Process
Neutral
D975 – Covers petro-diesel and blends up to 5% biodiesel
maximum for on/off road engines; B5 is now fungible with
diesel fuel
D396 – Covers heating oil and blends up to 5% biodiesel; B5 is
now fungible with petro-based heating oil
D7467 – Covers blends containing 6% to 20% biodiesel for on/
off road engines
– Designed so that if B100 meets D6751 and petro diesel
meets D975, then B6 to B20 blends will meet their
specifications
– Important quality control is at B100 level
BIODIESEL IN MONTANA

7. • PASSED EPA Tier I & Tier II Health &
Safety requirements of Clean Air Act
• Has a certificate of conformity from EPA
showing it does not impact OEM equipment
• Only alternate fuel with its own Quality
Assurance Program BQ-9000
Tier I & II Health
& Safety Data
Quality Assurance

8. WHY BIODIESEL FUELS
• NATIONAL SECURITY
• LESS MAINTENANCE
• BLIND TO THE USER
• FEWER EMISSIONS

9. Biodiesel Plants (Mont)
EPA MGY Feedstock
Certified
1 0.1-0.275 Canola, safflower, camelina
Operating
4 0.015 Self use, used fry oil
1 0.100 Canola, camelina, other
CY gallons of B100 produced in Montana
2009 27,084
2010 20,862
2011 17,973
2012 6,648 (no blender incentive, camelina not EPA certified)
2013 6,728
2014 4,283

10. *Biodiesel as B5 is not tallied
d= dyed diesel
Biodiesel Use (variable, depends on cost)
State FY Blend-MGY B-100 gallons
2004 0.345 70,000
2005 0.347 71,000
2006 0.348 71,149
2007 336,180**
2008 946,328 (in-state prod) Total Diesel, mgy
2009 802,759 (27,084) 245.243
2010 758,560 (20,862) 207.931
2011 784,598 (17,973) 273.570/ 958.646 d
2012 0.009516 B50 1,001,303 ( 6,648) 291.270/ 182.452 d
2013 0.027907 B75 702,205 (4,170/cy 6728) 299.606, 179.715 d
2014 0.029661 for on-road 977,479 (4,283) 285.0189, 195,049 d

11. No Blend Wall in Montana (or PNW)
SFY E10 amount
2012 49.32%
2013 52.69%
2014 69.585% (356,463,639/512,270,382)
Proposed Ethanol Plants (Mont)
Proposed Permitted MGY Feedstocks
0 0
Planned cellulosic fuel plants 0

12. Using Biodiesel:
• Biodiesel and biodiesel blends have excellent cleaning
properties. Fuel filters on the vehicles and in the delivery
system may need to be changed more frequently upon initial
B20 use; after that, system runs cleaner with no issues.
• Be aware of the biodiesel blend’s cold weather properties and
take appropriate precautions. When operating in winter
climates, use winter blended diesel fuel. Make sure the
biodiesel blend cloud point is adequate for the geographical
region and time of year the fuel will be used.
– Since 2012, biodiesel grade #1-B ASTM specifications are available for
winter-blend biodiesel fuel
• Perform regularly scheduled maintenance as dictated by the
engine operation and maintenance manual.
12

13. Biodiesel Use Recommended Guidelines
• Already Blended
• Quality Dealer
• Diesel fuel management program
o Fuel rotated at least every 6-months
o Filter, Filter, Filter (possible fuel filter plugging
when higher blends are first used)
o Clean tanks “periodically”
13
Using Biodiesel:

14. B20 vs. Diesel: In the
shop
• With in-spec B20 and lower, the issues
you can expect to see in your shop are the
same as you will see with petrodiesel
• Except:
– Expect to see fewer lubricity related issues
– Expect to see fewer problems with after-
treatment (emissions equipment)
– Filter related issues may be related to cleaning
effect upon first use, or are likely normal diesel
issues or out of spec or imposter biodiesel
– Less black smoke from exhaust!

15. • Biodiesel’s (soy diesel) freeze point may be 20 to 30°F
higher than that of petroleum diesel.
• In July 2012 B100 received its own winter grade
specification (6751)
• B100 should be stored at 5° to 10° higher than the
cloud point.
• NREL and the National Biodiesel Board have a winter
use handling guide.
15
Biodiesel: Cold Weather

16. • As the paraffinic components of fuel cool they form crystal (wax).
• Diesel anti-gels additives reduce the size of the crystals, but they
are not as effective on biodiesel as on petro diesel. Most diesel
cold flow improvers are added at the refinery; biodiesel at the
distributor level, if needed.
Biodiesel: Cold Weather

17. BIODIESEL IN YELLOWSTONE
Partnership spearheaded by Montana DEQ
Truck arrived February 7, 1995
Used B100 rapeseed ethyl ester, no additives

18. BIODIESEL IN YNP RIDESHARE

19. EXPANSION OF
BIODIESEL PROGRAM
500 gal B100
1000 gal B-20
15,000 gal B100

20. MDT Demonstration:
December 26, 2004-June 30
2005
• Havre & Lolo Hot Springs
• B20 in 3 of 6 trucks (each location)
• Findings-no fuel related issues
• Biodiesel does not fix ring problems
• Conclusions: Use is not a problem
Price and availability are a challenge
Biodiesel: Cold Weather

21. Where to Get Help:
www.biodiesel.org
www.deq.mt.gov
www.biodieseleducation.org
Howard Haines
406 444-6478, hhaines@mt.gov

22. B20 vs. Diesel: On the
road
Remember these?
• What is the most often reported problem
when starting the use of biodiesel?
• How does one prevent this?
• What does one do in cold climate operation if
one suspects biodiesel is clogging a filter?

23. • What is the most often reported problem
when starting the use of biodiesel?
• Response: Fuel Filter Clogging
• How does one prevent this?
• Response: Have a spare filter at the start,
clean tanks, and Filter, Filter, Filter
• What does one do in cold climate
operation if one suspects biodiesel is
clogging a filter?
• Response: Add winter diesel

24. THE END

25. *Ethanol is being used for octane boost (not E10)
Ethanol Use (all retail is E-10 blend)
State FY MGY blend MGY ethanol
2004 17 2.4
2005 30 3.1
2006 30 3.0
2007 12.6 3.1 gas total
2008 40.669 4.067 491.90
2009 170.679084 17.067 315.175
2010 174.592936 17.459 311.197
2011 206.571 E10 + 0.632197 =21.3 496.324
Blend unblended, on-road, mgy
2012 246.578655 253.41211
2013 284.025548 225.01592
2014 356.463639 155.806691