Biodiesel Basics

What is Diesel? Diesel is not a fuelDiesel is not a fuel Diesel is a compression ignited internal combustion engineDiesel is a compression ignited internal combustion engine Spark ignited internal combustion engines (gasoline) burn high distillate fuelsSpark ignited internal combustion engines (gasoline) burn high distillate fuels Diesel engines burn middle distillate fuelsDiesel engines burn middle distillate fuels

Diesel Engine and Biomass Fuels Invented in 1890’s by Rudolf DieselInvented in 1890’s by Rudolf Diesel Designed as engine for the peopleDesigned as engine for the people Farmer friendlyFarmer friendly All diesels ran on biomass fuels until the 1920’sAll diesels ran on biomass fuels until the 1920’s Diesel engines will burn just about anythingDiesel engines will burn just about anything Most fatty acids or hydrocarbons from plant, animal or fossil sourcesMost fatty acids or hydrocarbons from plant, animal or fossil sources

What is Biodiesel? Biodiesel is a fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fatsBiodiesel is a fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats Biodiesel is typically produced by a reaction of a vegetable oil or animal fat with an alcohol such as methanol or ethanol in the presence of a catalyst to yield mono-alkyl esters and glycerinBiodiesel is typically produced by a reaction of a vegetable oil or animal fat with an alcohol such as methanol or ethanol in the presence of a catalyst to yield mono-alkyl esters and glycerinwww.nbb.org

What is Biodiesel? Slightly modified vegetable oil (or animal fat):Slightly modified vegetable oil (or animal fat): 90% vegetable oil : 10% alcohol90% vegetable oil : 10% alcohol With glycerin (waxy stuff) removedWith glycerin (waxy stuff) removed Biodiesel improves the cold flow properties (viscosity and gel point) and reduces emissions compared to straight vegetable oil (SVO)Biodiesel improves the cold flow properties (viscosity and gel point) and reduces emissions compared to straight vegetable oil (SVO) Methyl ester most commonMethyl ester most common Ethyl ester may offer some advantagesEthyl ester may offer some advantages

Current Primary Feedstocks United States: Soybean OilUnited States: Soybean Oil Europe: Rapeseed Oil (RME)Europe: Rapeseed Oil (RME) Germany and FranceGermany and France Australia: Rapeseed and Mustard Seed OilAustralia: Rapeseed and Mustard Seed Oil Many other feedstocks used to a lesser degree throughout the worldMany other feedstocks used to a lesser degree throughout the world

Biodiesel in a Nutshell Made from renewable resourcesMade from renewable resources Clean burningClean burning Greenhouse gas neutralGreenhouse gas neutral Domestically producible in most regionsDomestically producible in most regions Highly biodegradableHighly biodegradable Non-toxicNon-toxic Flashpoint over 300°fFlashpoint over 300°f No odor to pleasant odor (French fries)No odor to pleasant odor (French fries) High lubricityHigh lubricity High solvent characteristicsHigh solvent characteristics

Biodiesel Solution or Problem Difficult to find peer reviewed negative conclusions published in the last five years

Biodiesel vs. Food Biodiesel produced from feedstocks such soybean oil:Biodiesel produced from feedstocks such soybean oil: utilize a valuable food resourceutilize a valuable food resource compete for space on highly productive landcompete for space on highly productive land Are not efficient producers of oilAre not efficient producers of oil (Pimentel and Patzek, 2005) (Pimentel and Patzek, 2005) Soybeans and other similar feedstocks are likely not the long-term future of biodieselSoybeans and other similar feedstocks are likely not the long-term future of biodiesel

Biodiesel and Energy Balance Pimentel and Patzek (2005) reported a negative energy balance for biodiesel produced from soybean oil and sunflower oilPimentel and Patzek (2005) reported a negative energy balance for biodiesel produced from soybean oil and sunflower oil 0.8 for soybean oil0.8 for soybean oil There are problems with this studyThere are problems with this study Did not include full value of soybean mealDid not include full value of soybean meal Included costs not normally included in energy balance studiesIncluded costs not normally included in energy balance studies Does not mention gasoline energy balance is 0.8Does not mention gasoline energy balance is 0.8

Biodiesel and Subsidies Current biodiesel production requires government subsidies in order to be price competitive with petroleum fuelsCurrent biodiesel production requires government subsidies in order to be price competitive with petroleum fuels (IRS, 2005; EO 13149, 2000) It currently does, but is this a problemIt currently does, but is this a problem Capturing externalities (the incomplete market)Capturing externalities (the incomplete market) A newly emerging industryA newly emerging industry (Tyson, 2005) (Tyson, 2005)

Alternative Feedstocks and $ One of the most promising feedstocks for large scale biodiesel production is high-lipid algae, but after 20 years of research US DOE concluded it was not commercially viable (Sheehan, et al., 1998)One of the most promising feedstocks for large scale biodiesel production is high-lipid algae, but after 20 years of research US DOE concluded it was not commercially viable (Sheehan, et al., 1998) Private firms utilizing new technology are coming to a different conclusionPrivate firms utilizing new technology are coming to a different conclusion (Huntly, 2005 (pending publication)) (Huntly, 2005 (pending publication))

Technical Problems Biodiesel increases nitrous oxide emissions (NOX)Biodiesel increases nitrous oxide emissions (NOX) Biodiesel has a higher gel point and viscosity than petrodieselBiodiesel has a higher gel point and viscosity than petrodiesel Both of the above are being successfully addressed through technological advancesBoth of the above are being successfully addressed through technological advances

References EO Greening of the Government Through Federal Fleet and Transportation Efficiencies: Executive Order Federal Register/Vol 65, No. 81/ Wednesday, April, 2000 IRS Fuel Tax Credits and Refunds. Publication 378. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service. NBB. National Biodiesel Board. Pimentel, D., and Patzek, T Ethanol Production Using Corn, Switchgrass, and Wood; Biodiesel Production Using Soybean and Sunflower. Natural Resource Research, Vol. 14, No. 1 Sheehan, J., et al A Look Back at the US Department of Energy’s Aquatic Species Program-Biodiesel from Algae. National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Golden, Colorado Tyson, K DOE Analysis of Fuels and Coproducts from Lipids. Fuel Processing Technology, Vol. 86