2. National Biodiesel Board
• The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is the
trade association for the U.S. Biodiesel
Industry
• Receives funding from 3 sources:
o Soybean Check-off program (i.e. farmers)
o Government Grants and programs
o Biodiesel Producer contributions
• Technical, Regulatory, Marketing and
Lobbying
• Over $100MM over last 15 years primarily
from soybean farmers
3. Topics for Today:
• Background on the NBB
• What is biodiesel?
• Biodiesel Carbon Reduction
• Biodiesel Sustainability
• OEM Acceptance
• Biodiesel Resources
4. Learning Objectives
•Provide comprehensive training seminar
about biodiesel production, use,
performance, quality, and emissions
o Provideaccess to industry experts for more
detailed questions and answers about
biodiesel
o Introduce
the National Biodiesel Board’s
Diesel Technician Training program and the
program resources to the audience
5. Learning Outcomes
• Be able to answer general questions about
biodiesel that you may be asked as a
technician
• Be able to identify the key reasons why
customers want biodiesel
• Be able to explain the importance of
biodiesel fuel quality and the BQ-9000
program
• Be able to discern issues between normal
diesel problems and poor quality biodiesel
imposters or out-of-spec biodiesel when they
hit the shop
6. What is Biodiesel?
• biodiesel, n. -- a fuel comprised of mono-
alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids
derived from plant oils or animal fats,
designated B100.
• biodiesel blend, n. -- a blend of biodiesel
fuel with petroleum-based diesel fuel
designated BXX, where XX is the volume
percent of biodiesel.
7. Making Biodiesel
(Catalyst)
100 pounds + 10 pounds = 10 pounds + 100 pounds
Triglyceride Alcohol Glycerine Mono-Alkyl Esters
(Oil/Fat) (Methanol) (Biodiesel)
• Biodiesel is commonly produced through a process
called transesterification
• Raw Oils and Fats are NOT Biodiesel
• Other ‘Renewable Products’ are NOT Biodiesel
• Must be long chain mono alkyl esters of fats/oils
• Must meet ASTM D 6751 - Biodiesel (B100) spec in
place since 2001 and being continually improved
8. Benefits of Biodiesel
• Performance
• Biodiesel blends up to B20
can be used in any diesel
engine without modification,
according to manufacturers’
recommendations
• High Cetane (avg. over 50)
• B20 provides similar horse-
power, torque, towing
capability and fuel economy
• High Lubricity, even in
blends as low as 1-2% B5: The official fuel of the
2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup
• Ultra Low Sulfur avg < 2 Racing Series.
ppm
• Reduces HC, PM, CO in
9. Benefits of Biodiesel
Environmental
• 50% to 80% Lifecycle Carbon Reduction
• B100 is Biodegradable and Non-toxic
• Reduces PM, CO, HC by up to 50% compared
to petrodiesel in non-aftertreatment engines
• In 2008 alone, biodiesel’s contribution to
greenhouse gas emissions reduction was
equal to the emissions of 980,000 passenger
vehicles
10. Energy Balance
• Biodiesel has the highest energy balance
(5.54 : 1) of any commercially available
fuel, returning 5.54 units of renewable
energy for every 1 unit of fossil energy
needed to produce it.
• Compression Ignition Platform (i.e. diesel
engine system) is 30% More Fuel Efficient
Than Spark Ignition (i.e. gasoline, CNG,
propane)
11. Benefits of Biodiesel
• Energy Security
o Renewable, domestic resource
o Biodiesel produced in the U.S. in
2008 displaced 38.1 million barrels
of crude oil
• Green Jobs/Economic Growth
In one year, supported 51,893 jobs in all sectors of
the economy
Added $4.287 billion to the nation’s Gross Domestic
Product
12. Biodiesel Specifications
ASTM Standards for Biodiesel
• ASTM D6751 is the approved standard for B100 for
blending up to B20, in effect since 2001
o Performance-based standard: Feedstock and Process
Neutral
o 47 states have now legislatively adopted the ASTM D6751
specifications for biodiesel
• D975 – Covers petrodiesel and blends up to 5%
biodiesel maximum for on/off road engines
• D7467 – Covers blends containing 6% to 20%
biodiesel for on/off road engines
• 47 States have adopted ASTM D6751 into law
13. BQ-9000 Program
• Biodiesel Industry’s equivalent to an ISO 9000
program for biodiesel production & distribution
companies as well as testing labs
• BQ-9000 works hand-in-hand with the ASTM
specifications for biodiesel
• Quality Control System covers biodiesel
manufacturing, sampling, testing, blending,
storage, shipping, distribution
• ASTM Grade Fuel, BQ-9000 Companies
15. U.S. Biodiesel Production
1.1 Billion Gallons
RFS-2
Biodiesel
Tax
Incentive
Bioenergy
Changes to Program
EPACT
National Biodiesel Board
16. Biodiesel Infrastructure
• Biodiesel and biodiesel blends are now
available nationwide from more than:
o 1,489 Distributors
o 1,339 Retailers
o 775 Truck Stops
o 3,603 Public Locations Total
• Visit the NBB website at: www.biodiesel.org/
buyingbiodiesel/ or www.biotrucker.com to
view biodiesel retailers near you, by state,
or along a route
17. Biodiesel Pump Labeling
No Label Required:
• Fuel blends containing no more than five percent
biodiesel and no more than 5 percent biomass-based
diesel and that meet ASTM D975.
Labels Required:
• Fuel blends containing more than five but no more than
20 percent biodiesel or biomass-based diesel.
• Fuel blends containing more than 20 percent biodiesel or
biomass-based diesel.
• Separate Labels for Biodiesel (Blue) &
Biomass-Based Diesel (Orange)
18. The EPA and the RFS-2
• The new Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS-2) final
rule, issued on February 4, 2010
• Start Date – July 1, 2010
• Mandates 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel be used
by obligated parties (i.e. refiners) by 2022
o 1 billion gallons biomass based diesel, 4 billion gallons un-
differentiated advanced biofuel
• Biodiesel is the ONLY commercially available fuel that
has been approved by the U.S. EPA as an
“Advanced Biofuel”: 50% GHG reduction vs.
petrodiesel
19. OEM Warranty Statements &
Biodiesel
• All major U.S. OEMs support at least B5 and lower blends,
provided they are made with biodiesel meeting ASTM D 6751
o Most OEMs are also recommending use of a BQ-9000
supplier
• More than 55% of U.S. manufacturers now support B20 or
higher blends in at least some of their equipment
• Several more OEMs are completing testing and progressing
toward support for B20 now that new ASTM standards for B6-
B20 blends have been published (ASTM D7467) and biodiesel
support by their competitors is increasing
• For a complete listing of OEM position statements on
biodiesel, as well as the current U.S. Diesel Vehicles List,
visit:
21. B5 Approvals
Approve B5: Approve B5*:
• Audi Detroit Diesel / Daimler **
• BMW Freightliner
• Mercedes Kubota
• Mitsubishi Mack
• UD Trucks Peterbilt
• Volkswagen ** Sterling
Thomas Built Buses
Volvo
* Exceptions have been
made for B20 use by fleets
** Actively researching
B20
22. Using Biodiesel:
Biodiesel Use and Handling Guidelines:
• Ensure the biodiesel meets the ASTM specification for pure
biodiesel (ASTM D 6751) before blending with petro diesel.
• Purchase biodiesel and biodiesel blends from companies that
have been registered under the BQ-9000 fuel quality program
when possible.
• Ensure your biodiesel blend supplier provides a homogenous
product.
• Avoid long term storage of B20 and higher blends to prevent
degradation. Biodiesel should be used within six months.
• Prior to transitioning to B20, it is recommended that tanks be
cleaned and free from sediment and water. Check for water and
drain regularly if needed. Monitor for microbial growth and treat
with biocides as recommended by the biocide manufacturer.
23. 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.
• Perform regularly scheduled maintenance as dictated by the
engine operation and maintenance manual.
24. Biodiesel Resources
• www.biodiesel.org
o Biodiesel Training Toolkit
o News Releases & Information Resources
o Technical Library, Spec Sheets & Videos
o OEM Warranty Positions on Biodiesel
o U.S. Diesel Vehicle List
• www.BQ-9000.org
o Listing of BQ-9000 Certified Companies
• www.biotrucker.com
o Listing of BioTrucker retail sites
• www.biodieselautomotive.org
o Dedicated to information exchange for biodiesel & diesel
technicians
25. Thank You!
Questions…?
Rachel Burton
OEM Diesel Technician Training Call NBB at 1-800-841-5849
Program
wrenchwench@blast.com
Visit www.biodiesel.org
Tel: 919-444-3495
