The report was submitted to the New York State Energy Research Development Authority , the National Biodiesel Board and the National Oilheat Research Alliance . Released at the end of 2018 , the document gathers in one place numerous research projects looking at how biodiesel ( ASTM 6751 ) performs , at various blend levels , when combined with petroleum heating oil for space heating applications .

The specific technical aspects evaluated over these projects include :

• Compatibility of conventional fuel pump shaft seals with higher blend levels

• Evaluation of pumps under field operating conditions

• Impact of exposure of “ yellow metals ” at low and high temperature on biodiesel blends

• Combustion characteristics of biodiesel blends and flame sensor response

• Documentation of field experience with biodiesel blends including higher blend levels

“ Biodiesel has been blended into petroleum heating for more than a decade ( Bioheat ) and increased blend levels are desirable ,” NORA said in a statement announcing the release of the report . “ The addition of biodiesel in the fuel significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions among other benefits for homeowners , the oilheating industry and the environment .”

For more information about NORA and its programs or services , call 703-340-1660 or visit the web site , www . NORAweb . org .

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In the US , about half the biodiesel is made from soybean oil , with the remainder about evenly split between canola oil , animal fats , used cooking oils , and distillers corn oil .

Below is an excerpt from the introduction . Additional excerpts are planned for upcoming issues of Fuel Oil News .

Biodiesel is mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from naturally occurring oils or fats which conform to ASTM D6751 specifications . Biodiesel refers to the pure fuel before blending with traditional distillate type petroleum-based fuels such as diesel fuel or home heating oil ( petrodiesel ). Biodiesel blends are denoted as , “ BXX ” with “ XX ” representing the percentage of biodiesel by volume contained in the blend ( i . e .: B20 is 20 % biodiesel , 80 % petrodiesel ). Biodiesel offers a near-term opportunity to displace petroleum-based heating oil with a low carbon , renewable fuel .

Biodiesel can be made from a variety of domestically produced oils and fats such as commonly available vegetable oils or animal fats as well as other oils such as used frying oils , reclaimed distillers corn oil from ethanol plants , algal oils , etc . In the US , about half the biodiesel is made from soybean oil , with the remainder about evenly split between canola oil , animal fats , used cooking oils , and distillers corn oil . ASTM specification for pure biodiesel ( B100 ) intended for blending with petrodiesel , ASTM D6751 , was formally approved in 2001 . This specification was based primarily on lab and field testing and data from 1993-2001 with B20 blends in the on-road diesel market in the US made with biodiesel that met the physical and chemical properties and values found in ASTM D6751 . During that time , the EPA mandated sulfur level of on-road diesel was 500 ppm maximum , while off road diesel was 5000 ppm maximum .

In 2006 , the EPA mandated sulfur level for on-road diesel was changed to 15 ppm maximum ( referred to as Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel ( ULSD ), and diesel vehicles underwent a tremendous change to reduce diesel tailpipe emissions . Diesel engines incorporated exhaust gas recirculation and high-pressure common rail ( HPCR ) fuel injection systems to better control engine-out emissions . The reduced sulfur levels of ULSD allowed the implementation of exhaust aftertreatment catalyst systems such as diesel oxidation catalysts ( DOC ), diesel particulate filters ( DPF ), and Selective Catalytic Reduction technology ( SCR ). The original D6751 B100 specification was modified during the 2001-2008 timeframe to accommodate the new ultra-low sulfur diesel and additional controls needed for modern diesel engines and aftertreatment systems . Specifications were added for stability and metals for HPCR fuel systems and exhaust aftertreatment catalysts , and additional controls on minor components were implemented in 2008 after the introduction of ULSD .

In 2008 , after the modifications and improvements to the D6751 B100 standard and a significant amount of lab testing and positive field experience , ASTM International successfully balloted changes to both the D975 on / off road diesel specification as well as the ASTM D396 home heating oil specification to allow blends up to 5 % by volume as fungible components of the No . 1 and the No . 2 grades of D975 and D396 . In the case of both D975 and D396 , the same parameters and test methods and the same limits apply

24 FEBRUARY 2019 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com