4by4bygod
1/2 ton status
Hi All!
I put this together on one page in a different forum and I thought those of you with an interest in the topic might get something out of it.
It's fairly self - explanatory, but I thought the linked articles would be of interest. my commentary is stuff you've read before if you've been here long enough. enjoy!
the thought process I'm trying to get across is this - biodiesel's ASTM quality standards only apply to blends up to b20 - biodiesel retail quality is all over the map - biodiesel contains contaminants called glycerides - glycerides are the components that provide ( still inadequate )lubricity - glycerides cause unintended negative consequences, especially in cold weather - even if the BD is blended to a standard, there are properties that are such that it's irresponsible to tout BD as the ultimate solution.
And this doesn't even touch on the myth of biofuels being " clean burning".
Regarding biodiesel's supposed lubricity benefits:
Study on the lubrication properties of biodiesel as fuel lubricity enhancers
Jianbo Hu,, Zexue Du, Changxiu Li and Enze Min
Research Institute of Petroleum Processing, SINOPEC, Beijing 100083, People's Republic of China.
Received 7 September 2004; revised 5 November 2004; accepted 10 February 2005. Available online 9 March 2005.
Abstract
Unrefined biodiesels containing small quantities of monoglycerides, diglycerides, and triglycerides, and refined biodiesels not containing these glycerides were added to diesel fuel and the resulting lubricity was measured using the High Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HFRR) method.
The unrefined biodiesels showed higher lubricity properties than refined biodiesels.
( refined means " less likely to gell and clog filters")
The chemical factors influencing the lubricity properties of biodiesels were investigated. Methyl esters and monoglycerides are the main compositions that determine the lubricity of biodiesels that meet international standards.
Free fatty acids and diglycerides can also affect the lubricity of biodiesel, but not so much as monoglycerides. Triglycerides almost have no effects on the lubricity of biodiesel.
Keywords: Biodiesel; Lubricity; Vegetable oil; HFRR; Fatty acid methyl esters
http://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...serid=10&md5=5cc4a4f230a519b5ff781f024d80b486
And here's the US department of agriculture's study on the same issue.. notice any similarities?
http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/Publications.htm?seq_no_115=171882&pf=1
the glycerides are contaminants - Here's what contaminants do -
the title is a little misleading on this one, be sure to read the whole thing:
http://www.auri.org/news/ainapr07/biodiesel_unplugged.htm
pertinent excerpts here:
"High glycerin concentrations in biodiesel can also cause a wax coating on fuel filters. But if fuel is stored below ground where it’s better insulated and warmer than above-ground storage, there may be fewer problems with glycerin" And here's more from an outfit that can't be considered "anti - biodiesel"..
"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."
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/11/national_biodie.html
As for biodiesel being hygroscopic and attracting moisture from the atmosphere, ( and thus a breeding ground for bacteria, fungus , and yeast), that's been pretty well documented, even by the folks who sell this stuff.. but just in case:
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/02/delphi_increasi.html
"For Delphi, the challenges presented by biodiesels are significantly different and start at ratios as low as ten percent (B10).
Handling and storage is again a big issue. Biodiesel has the advantage of being biodegradeable so is less environmentally damaging if spilt. However, this characteristic allows the fuel to degrade very quickly, particularly if stored in moist or warm conditions. Biodiesel is also more susceptible than other fuels to the growth of bacterial content. Research has shown considerable variation in the quality of biodiesel at retail pumps.
As with ethanol, biodiesel can pick up water, which accelerates chemical degradation of the fuel. "
I put this together on one page in a different forum and I thought those of you with an interest in the topic might get something out of it.
It's fairly self - explanatory, but I thought the linked articles would be of interest. my commentary is stuff you've read before if you've been here long enough. enjoy!
the thought process I'm trying to get across is this - biodiesel's ASTM quality standards only apply to blends up to b20 - biodiesel retail quality is all over the map - biodiesel contains contaminants called glycerides - glycerides are the components that provide ( still inadequate )lubricity - glycerides cause unintended negative consequences, especially in cold weather - even if the BD is blended to a standard, there are properties that are such that it's irresponsible to tout BD as the ultimate solution.
And this doesn't even touch on the myth of biofuels being " clean burning".
Regarding biodiesel's supposed lubricity benefits:
Study on the lubrication properties of biodiesel as fuel lubricity enhancers
Jianbo Hu,, Zexue Du, Changxiu Li and Enze Min
Research Institute of Petroleum Processing, SINOPEC, Beijing 100083, People's Republic of China.
Received 7 September 2004; revised 5 November 2004; accepted 10 February 2005. Available online 9 March 2005.
Abstract
Unrefined biodiesels containing small quantities of monoglycerides, diglycerides, and triglycerides, and refined biodiesels not containing these glycerides were added to diesel fuel and the resulting lubricity was measured using the High Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HFRR) method.
The unrefined biodiesels showed higher lubricity properties than refined biodiesels.
( refined means " less likely to gell and clog filters")
The chemical factors influencing the lubricity properties of biodiesels were investigated. Methyl esters and monoglycerides are the main compositions that determine the lubricity of biodiesels that meet international standards.
Free fatty acids and diglycerides can also affect the lubricity of biodiesel, but not so much as monoglycerides. Triglycerides almost have no effects on the lubricity of biodiesel.
Keywords: Biodiesel; Lubricity; Vegetable oil; HFRR; Fatty acid methyl esters
http://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...serid=10&md5=5cc4a4f230a519b5ff781f024d80b486
And here's the US department of agriculture's study on the same issue.. notice any similarities?
http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/Publications.htm?seq_no_115=171882&pf=1
the glycerides are contaminants - Here's what contaminants do -
the title is a little misleading on this one, be sure to read the whole thing:
http://www.auri.org/news/ainapr07/biodiesel_unplugged.htm
pertinent excerpts here:
"High glycerin concentrations in biodiesel can also cause a wax coating on fuel filters. But if fuel is stored below ground where it’s better insulated and warmer than above-ground storage, there may be fewer problems with glycerin" And here's more from an outfit that can't be considered "anti - biodiesel"..
"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."
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/11/national_biodie.html
As for biodiesel being hygroscopic and attracting moisture from the atmosphere, ( and thus a breeding ground for bacteria, fungus , and yeast), that's been pretty well documented, even by the folks who sell this stuff.. but just in case:
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/02/delphi_increasi.html
"For Delphi, the challenges presented by biodiesels are significantly different and start at ratios as low as ten percent (B10).
Handling and storage is again a big issue. Biodiesel has the advantage of being biodegradeable so is less environmentally damaging if spilt. However, this characteristic allows the fuel to degrade very quickly, particularly if stored in moist or warm conditions. Biodiesel is also more susceptible than other fuels to the growth of bacterial content. Research has shown considerable variation in the quality of biodiesel at retail pumps.
As with ethanol, biodiesel can pick up water, which accelerates chemical degradation of the fuel. "
