Biodiesel: A High Performance Renewable Fuel Scott DeWees Co-Coordinator Western WA Clean Cities A program of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency wwcleancities.org October 29, 2015 www.wwcleancities.org
Why use biodiesel? Operational benefits Environmental benefits Economic benefits
Biodiesel makes engines happy Higher cetane value ASMT requires minimum cetane of 47 for bio vs. 40 for petro diesel Higher cetane can improve: engine smoothness cold starting Complete fuel combustion Biodiesel blending can substitute for a cetane additive
Biodiesel makes engines happy Increased fuel lubricity Biodiesel is widely reported to provide an increase in lubricity to ULSD at concentrations as low as 2% (B2) 1 Increased lubricity can improve: Injector and fuel pump life System cleanliness Can be used in place of a lubricity additive at blends as low as B2 1: Lubricity of Components of Biodiesel and Petro diesel This paper references ten other papers stating that biodiesel improves ULSD lubricity
Biodiesel makes engines happy Emits less soot ASTM standards test for and require biodiesel to have a lower carbon residue then diesel 1 Less soot and lower temperature soot combustion = less and shorter duration DPF regeneration events 2 Shorter regeneration events = less fuel wasted, also saves drivers time Improves local air quality = health benefits 1: ASTM D4530 2: Biodiesel Effects on Diesel Particle Filter Performance, National Renewable Energy Lab, 2006
Biodiesel Balance Point Temperature (BPT) Biodiesel Effects on Diesel Particle Filter Performance, National Renewable Energy Lab, 2006
Environmental benefits of biodiesel Reduces greenhouse gasses Lower criteria pollutant emissions High energy return when producing biodiesel Food vs. Fuel?
Biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions Carbon Intensity (CI) scores measure the amount of carbon associated with producing fuels in California and Oregon s low carbon fuel markets. Carbon Intensity is a measure of well to wheels emissions Includes emissions from fuel production, harvesting, indirect land use change, transportation, etc. Also credits the fuel based on the recycled carbon content from growing the fuel (if applicable)
Example carbon intensity values for biodiesel Fuel Pathway ID Pathway Description Diesel ULSD001 ULSD based on the average crude oil supplied to California refineries and average California refinery efficiencies Carbon Intensity Values (gco2e/mj) Land Use or Direct Other Indirect Total Emissions Effect 102.76 0 102.76 BIOD002 Used Cooking Oil where "cooking" is required 19.87 0 19.87 BIOD001 Soybean Biodiesel 22.73 29.10 51.83 Biodiesel BIOD006 Canola Biodiesel 35.73 14.5 50.23 BIOD007 Corn Oil Biodiesel 28.68 0 28.68 BIOD008 Tallow Biodiesel 32.83 0 32.83 CA GREET 2.0 values, recorded 10/8/2015
Biodiesel reduces criteria pollutant emissions Source: US EPA
Biodiesel has a positive fossil energy ratio 1 unit of energy Input 4.69 units of energy returned 1 1: Soy biodiesel, USDA 2009 Brought to you by: photosynthesis!
Biodiesel: are we trading food for fuel? Arguments of the food vs. fuel concern: We aren t producing food when we produce biodiesel, and we should Biofuel demand displaces other food crops Biofuels raise food prices (Ecowatch.com)
Oilseeds produce food and fuel 53% food
Oilseeds produce food and fuel
What drives soybean acreage? Source: USDA Commercial biodiesel begins
Food price index: what drives it? 120 100 Nominal Price 80 60 40 20 0 1968 1973 1978 1983 EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook, October 2015 1988 1993 1998 2003 2008 2013 Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Biodiesel is food and fuel Refuting the food vs. fuel concern: Producing biodiesel simultaneously produces food Biodiesel crop production may in fact increase food production Has higher economic value Price correlation between food and fuel prices, but biodiesel reduces demand for fuel
Summary: environmental benefits of biodiesel Feedstock matters! Biodiesel is effective at reducing petroleum use Biodiesel and foods are interrelated, but not in competition with one another
Economic benefits of biodiesel Reduces foreign oil dependency Supporting WA industry and agriculture Diversifying fuels creates optionality
Washington petroleum products Washington imports 100% of its crude oil
Washington-grown canola improves local farming Canola grows when many other crops cannot Grown in rotation with wheat, barley, and other cereals Helps control grassy weeds and breaks disease and insect cycles Improves yield for other crops Increases economic return for farmers Canola production has tripled in Washington from 2012 2014 1 1: http://www.washivore.org/canola
Western Washington fleets using biodiesel Contact Western WA Clean Cities for detailed information about these fleets and their biodiesel use
Wrapping up What is biodiesel Chemical properties Feedstocks and production Using biodiesel Fuel quality ASTM and BQ9000 ensure quality Biodiesel is a premium additive for diesel Biodiesel benefits Environment Economy Fleet
Join us for part two of our biodiesel education series! Come to meet current biodiesel users and learn more about: Vehicle compatibility and transition planning Biodiesel storage and handling Cold Flow and biodiesel additives Implementation strategies and plans www.wwcleancities.org