BIODIESEL BLENDS

BIODIESEL BLENDSBIODIESEL BLENDSBIODIESEL BLENDSBIODIESEL BLENDS

For GHG StakeholdersFor GHG Stakeholders

December 9, 2004December 9, 2004

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WHAT IS IT?

• Soy beans are refined to separate the glycerin from the methyl esters -- both useful products.

• The latter (“biodiesel”) is biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur.

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1. USES in TRANSPORTATION

• Add to petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend

• Blends known by % biodiesel -- eg B-5, B-10, B-20

• Can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications

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BIODIESEL AND GLOBAL WARMING

• 1998 biodiesel lifecycle study by US DOE and USDA concluded that biodiesel reduces net CO2 emissions by 78% compared to petroleum diesel due to biodiesel’s closed carbon cycle.

• CO2 released into atmosphere when biodiesel is burned is recycled by growing plants, which are later processed into fuel.

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BIODIESEL EMISSIONS• Using biodiesel in a diesel engine reduces

unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter compared to emissions from diesel fuel

• Also, exhaust emissions of sulfur oxides and sulfates (major components of acid rain) from biodiesel are essentially eliminated compared to diesel

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BIODIESEL EMISSIONSAVERAGE 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%

Non-Regulated

Sulfates -100% -20%*

PAH (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons)** -80% -13%

nPAH (nitrated PAH’s)** -90% -50%***

Ozone potential of speciated HC -50% -10%

* Estimated from B100 result

** Average reduction across all compounds measured

*** 2-nitroflourine results were within test method variability

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ENCOURAGING BIODIESEL

• Using biodiesel for vehicle fleets• US EPA grant to 5 school districts to

install pollution controls and use biodiesel

• Warwick will retrofit 40+ busses w. pollution control; and use biodiesel for all 72 busses

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2. USES in SPACE HEATING

• Add to petroleum diesel to create a biofuel blend (“bioheat”)

• Blends known by % biodiesel -- eg B-5, B-10, B-20

• Can be used in furnaces and boilers with little or no modifications, provided the % is not too high (at high BB%s, bioheat’s solvent effect can cause problems)

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Warwick Public School Department

Bio-Fuel/Heating Oil Blending Project

• One Year Project, 03/01 to 02/02.

• Medium to Large Boilers.

• Three Blends –B-10%, B-15% & B-20%

• Monthly Testing Of Boiler Efficiency &

Fuel Characteristics.

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Site Locations & Blends

Control 10% - B-10 Blend

15% - B-15 Blend 20% - B-20 Blend

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Sampling & Analysis Photos

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Burner Efficiency & Emissions

Average Test Results of Four (4) Test EventsTest %Efficiency % O2 ppm CO % CO2 ppm NOX Smoke

Control 79.4 8.6 0 9 83 T

20% Blend 78.6 8.6 0 9 67 0+

Thanks for Warwick slides toThanks for Warwick slides toRobert S. CerioRobert S. Cerio

Energy Educator/ManagerEnergy Educator/Manager2401 West Shore Road2401 West Shore RoadWarwick, R.I. 02889Warwick, R.I. 02889

401-734-3219 x 320 – 401-734-3214 fax401-734-3219 x 320 – 401-734-3214 fax

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BIOHEAT FOR HOMES

• Tested in boilers and furnaces at BNL in 2001, NEFI in 2003

• Available in RI through People’s Power & Light program (US DOE grant through RISEO)

• Available on conventional commercial basis from some MA oilheat dealers

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ENCOURAGING BIOHEAT

• Retail price premium of B10 over #2 distillate is currently almost $0.20/gallon

• 2-year federal tax incentive 2005/6 equates to $0.01 per percent of fuel from biodiesel ($0.005 if recycled)

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Options To Promote Bioheat and Biodiesel in RI?

Options:• Expanding demonstration programs for

buildings and fleets.• State purchases of bioheat for buildings

and biodiesel for vehicles. • Consumer education and publicity• Other?How (and whom) to pursue in RIGHG

process?