Biodiesel - new more realistic emissions data

valkraider · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 3:23 pm

A new study has been completed that shows better data on B20 emissions - at least better data than the 2002 EPA study.

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2006/11/10/new-b20-study-shows-no-increase-in-nox-emissions/

Emissions and performance statistics depend on the specific combination of engine design AND fuel type...

dog_party · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 3:50 pm

Wow, an EPA study that was *cough*cough* inaccurate *cough*cough*. That's just craziness!

Thanks for the link Good info.

valkraider · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 5:12 pm

dog_party wrote:

Wow, an EPA study that was *cough*cough* inaccurate *cough*cough*. That's just craziness!

Your sarcasm is noted, and the popularity of the EPA is well established.

But in their defense - their numbers were not innacurate - they were just not a good sampling.

So they should be taken as an indicator - but not used as gospel. Unfortunately there are probably many policies that are created from studies like these...

Like California and their CAFE standards... While clearly well intentioned (no one argues with clean air) the diesel side of them are based on some questionable numbers that might miss the forest for the trees.

In the end though, it is nice to have more data out there. The more the better...

So I wouldn't want to debate policy exactly - but just point out that the more we know about the details the better policy *can* be. Make sure your elected officials know what is important to you... And make sure they know about new data as it is made available!

Ranger1 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:40 pm **Posts:** 1137

After last winters debacle in Minnesota, NBB and others started testing biodiesel nationwide. According to NBB, about of third of the fuel is failing standards. They recently issued a winter advisory about using biodiesel with these high rates of ASTM quality failures and are asking for government regulation and enforcement of ASTM standards. When the National Biodiesel Board is asking for government regulation, you can be sure the problem is growing.

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincitie ... 984811.htm

http://www.todaystrucking.com/news.cfm?intDocID=16979

Quote:

A national fuel quality testing project, co-funded by NBB and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, found that one-third of biodiesel samples pulled between November 2005 and July 2006 were out of spec for incomplete processing. That’s the same issue that caused some filter clogging problems in Minnesota last year. Although fuel quality is always important, cold weather can amplify problems caused by out-of-spec fuel.

“NBB views these results as unacceptable,” Jobe said. “This underscores the need for enforcement agencies to take action against those who aren’t producing biodiesel that meets the existing standard, ASTM D-6751.”

As a result of issues in Minnesota last winter, NBB board members in June approved a comprehensive Fuel Quality Policy that directs NBB to work diligently with all state and federal agencies with authority to regulate fuel and enforce quality.

NBB’s Fuel Quality Outreach Program has made contact with all state Divisions of Weights and Measures, and encouraged them to adopt ASTM D-6751 into the laws that regulate fuel quality. Currently, half of the states have adopted the ASTM D-6751 specification as part of their fuel quality regulations, and an additional 13 states are planning to adopt the specification or are studying it. Ten states now proactively test biodiesel or biodiesel blends.

http://nbb.grassroots.com/07Releases/advisory/

greiswig · **Posted:** Sun Nov 12, 2006 9:24 pm

Ranger1 wrote:

After last winters debacle in Minnesota, NBB and others started testing biodiesel nationwide. According to NBB, about of third of the fuel is failing standards.

Actually, I think it was more like half. A third of the samples failed total glycerides IIRC. Bad news, either way for the commercial producers. Hopefully there will be a new standard coming out of this that will be enforced. Cetane number doesn't make a lot of sense when it comes to biodiesel, since it will always be higher than the petro equivalent, and it is a costly part of the ASTM test.

Ranger1 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:40 pm **Posts:** 1137

Other reading I've done on this area shows that the NBB and other agencies know which biodiesel producers are shipping sub standard product. Rather than expose them, they appear to be pushing for states to legislate minimum standards enforcment laws. Probably for the best. It's unfortunate that some biodiesel producers are making this junk quality product. It's a good case for running B5 until they get their act together.

Biodiesel - new more realistic emissions data

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