CCTA Biodiesel Overview

CCTA Biodiesel Overview

Biodiesel Overview As a public transportation agency, it is incumbent upon CCTA to reduce our fleet emissions and to lead the private and public sectors in emission reduction. In 2003 CCTA began exploring different approaches to reducing fleet emissions reduce our impact to the environment increase our ridership

Biodiesel Overview The CCTA Board chose a hybrid electric vehicle using ultra-low low sulfur (ULSD), particulate filters and a biodiesel blend. Our existing highly skilled maintenance personnel are trained in diesel mechanics and would need training in hybrid technology but not training on a different fuel type and hybrid technology; Our facility would need significant costly upgrades for other alternative fuel vehicles; With a hybrid electric vehicle you get greater fuel economy not less as with other alternative fuels.

Biodiesel Overview CCTA began using a B5 blend in February 2007. On March 21, 2007 Cummins announced approval of use in B20 blends for use in its 2002 and later emissions compliant engines, including the recently released 2007 engines Cummins increased the blend eligible to be used in their engines for three key reasons: The American Society of Testing Materials specification ASTM D6751 includes a stability specification for B100; There was an increase in the availability of quality fuels from BQ-9000 Certified Marketers and Accredited Producers; and, Cummins completed their own internal testing using B20.

BQ9000 The National Biodiesel Accreditation Program is a cooperative and voluntary program for the accreditation of producers and marketers of biodiesel fuel called BQ-9000. The program is a unique combination of the ASTM standard for biodiesel, ASTM D 6751, and a quality systems program that includes storage, sampling, testing, blending, shipping, distribution, and fuel management practices. CCTA only purchases biodiesel blends from BQ9000 suppliers.

Cost of Biodiesel As of this week B5 is currently $.10 more than ULSD and B20 is $.14 more than ULSD. CCTA s current fuel distributor is trying to secure fuel from Montreal which should drop the overall fuel price by $.06 a gallon. CCTA takes three quotes on fuel each week from BQ9000 suppliers. CCTA purchases 7,500 gallons a week. CCTA currently operates 53 buses daily. Of these vehicles 11 have the 2007 engine with diesel particulate filters.

Lubricity Ultra Low Sulfur Fuel is 15 PPM compared to low sulfur fuel which was 500 PPM. By removing the sulfur from the fuel, particulate emissions are reduced dramatically but CCTA felt a lubricity agent was needed to maintain optimal engine life. By using biodiesel CCTA has avoided having to use other additives to add lubricity to our ULSD.

Prep Work for Biodiesel Basically none We changed all the fuel filters in the fleet prior to using any biodiesel. Biodiesel acts as a solvent and will cause engine gunk to accumulate on the fuel filter. Our next fuel filter change was at a half time interval and we are now back to regular interval. We haven t t had any issues with fuel filters at any step in the process.

Fuel Economy Fuel economy hasn t t changed dramatically since CCTA began using biodiesel. Pre Biodiesel January 07 3.87 mpg B20 Blend March 07 3.90 mpg Pre Biodiesel July 06 3.91 B20 Blend July 07 4.09

Fuel Dispensing CCTA has an above ground fuel tank and we haven t t had any issues to date regarding storage or dispensing. GMTA, a CCTA managed public transit entity, has an in-ground tank with a fueling station out in the cold and we did have some gelling issues last winter. We included an additive and the gelling issues have gone away.

Helpful Websites http://www.bq-9000.org/ 9000.org/ List of accredited producers and marketers of BQ9000 biodiesel http://biodiesel.org biodiesel.org/ National Biodiesel Board http://www.epa.gov www.epa.gov/ The United States Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/otaq/hd-hwy.htm hwy.htm EPA Heavy Trucks, Buses and Engines

Average Biodiesel Emissions Compared To Conventional Diesel, According to EPA Emission Type B100 B20 Regulated Total Unburned Hydrocarbons -67% -20% Carbon Monoxide -48% -12% Particulate Matter -47% -12% Nox +10% +2% to -2% Non-Regulated Sulfates -100% -20% 20%* PAH (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons)** -80% -13% npah (nitrated PAH s)** -90% -50% 50%*** Ozone potential of speciated HC -50% -10% * Estimated from B100 result ** Average reduction across all compounds measured *** 2-nitroflourine 2 results were within test method variability[i [i] [i] EPA