Biodiesel - the most sensible and cost effective liquid fuel to help reduce air pollution, as well as generating other positive environmental, health and economic benefits.

Introduction

Association

The Alberta Biodiesel Association (ABA) was established as a non-profit organization to provide general information to parties interested in the biodiesel industry, and also aim to ensure biodiesel fuel excellence from initial production, through distribution, to end-use.

As an industry organization, the ABA does not intend to offer specific advise regarding biodiesel facility evaluation, design, construction or processing.  However, it will endeavor to provide a general overview and pertinent information, either based on its own evaluations, or collected from normally considered reputable sources.

Differences in published data may be due to variances in feedstock, blends, processing, equipment and evaluation criteria (ie: tailpipe or lifecycle) used to determine end results.

For information about joining the ABA, refer to the Membership section on this website.

Definition

Biodiesel is an environmentally friendly diesel-equivalent fuel derived from biological energy sources typically consisting of renewable lipid feedstock such as oilseed, cooking grease or animal fat.  The process involves a reaction with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst and the subsequent removal of glycerin and water. 

Compared to petroleum diesel (a.k.a. petrodiesel or fossil fuel), biodiesel provides excellent temperature stability and high flash point properties, as well as versatility for use either as a substitute or additive in existing diesel fuel applications.

In technical terms, biodiesel refers to a fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters, or fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), derived from vegetable oils or animal fats through a catalyst assisted chemical process called transesterification, and required to meet stringent quality standards based either on ASTM (American Standard for Testing and Materials) or EN (European Norm) specifications.

In its undiluted form, biodiesel is also referred to as ‘pure’, ‘neat’ or ‘B100’ biodiesel.

Biodiesel blends consist of a combination biodiesel and petroleum diesel (petrodiesel) in various proportional volumes from 1% and 99%.  In North America, blends are designated as ‘Bxx’, with the ‘x’ representing the percentage of the biodiesel component (eg:  B5 refers to a blend consisting of 5% biodiesel and 95% petrodiesel).  On other continents, designations are sometimes represented by ‘BDxx’.

History

Biodiesel was first produced in 1853 by chemists E. Duffy and J. Patrick.  However, it was not until August 10, 1893 in Augsburg, Germany that Dr. Rudolf Diesel successfully demonstrated the first compression-ignition (diesel) engine, using peanut oil as a biofuel (not strictly biodiesel, but a vegetable oil, since it was not transesterified).  He subsequently won the Grand Prix award at the 1900 Paris World Fair.  In remembrance of his initial success, August 10th has been declared International Biodiesel Day.

Due to political and economic intervention at all levels of government in the past, fossil fuels (eg: petrodiesel and gasoline)became the preferred choice for general consumption.  Modern day interest in biodiesel began again during the 1980’s in Austria.

At that time, worldwide concerns emerged about depleting petroleum resources, higher energy prices and uncertain foreign oil supplies.  These scenarios, in conjunction with the development of new technology and heightened environmental issues, marked a general resurgence in biodiesel acceptance during the 1980’s in Europe and the U.S., and the 1990’s in Canada.

Specifically, it was recognized that biodiesel represented an economically viable and virtually non-polluting alternate energy source supporting existing diesel infra-structures.

Issues

Diesel-equivalent fuels non-compliant with applicable ASTM D6751 and/or EN14214 specifications are ‘not’ considered biodiesel, nor acceptable for vehicle fuel.  Such products should not be used in diesel engines, since they can create adverse effects that may not be immediately evident, or cause damage without warning.   

Due to higher viscosity of such unprocessed fuels, associated problems may entail piston ring sticking, incomplete combustion, advanced oxidation rate, fuel system deposits, lubricity dilution, reduced power, shorter engine life, lower fuel economy, increased exhaust emissions, plugged fuel filters and higher injection pressures.

Based on these issues, the ABA will endeavor to take a firm stand in regulating biodiesel quality, from production to distribution, in strict accordance with established and accepted industry practices.

Standards

In order to qualify as biodiesel, and be suitable for commercial sale, the Canadian General Standards Board CAN/CGSB-3.520 requires that all B100 blend stock comply with stringent ASTM D6751 and/or EN14214 main quality control specifications related to flash point, cloud point, pour point and acid number, as well as glycerin, water and sediment content.

All biodiesel production, whether at provincial, national or global levels, will require regular quality testing for compliance to the latest edition of applicable ASTM or EN specifications.

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