Jefferson City, June 17  – The Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) has approved test specifications for B20 biodiesel.  The specifications (for biodiesel blends of up to 20 percent by volume - B20) ensure that engine manufacturers will have fuel with consistent properties for engine testing and evaluation.  

 

“By approving these specifications, EMA is acknowledging the growing demand and use of B20 by customers all over the country”, said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB). 

 

“While many original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, have taken positive steps toward B20 approval, EMA’s actions are a huge step toward national biodiesel blend fuel standards that will enhance fuel quality measures and increase acceptance of B20”.  

 

The NBB has been working cooperatively with EMA on test specifications since last October.  The test specifications for B20 were approved by the EMA Board of Directors on May 31.  The Engine Manufacturers Association’s specifications require that the pure biodiesel (B100) meets the ASTM International standard D6751 or the European EN14214 standard prior to blending.  Fuel users are also encouraged to obtain biodiesel from sources known to produce quality fuels that meet those specifications.  

 

While EMA states the testing specification is not an approved national standard, both EMA and NBB support the development of ASTM standards for blends of B20 and lower.  All major OEMs support B5 and lower blends, provided they are made with biodiesel meeting ASTM D6751. 

 

A growing number are recommending the use of biodiesel from BQ- 9000 certified companies.  BQ-9000 is the biodiesel industry’s voluntary quality program.  

 

“EMA’s testing specification for B20 and lower blends is not meant to replace the blended fuel standards currently making their way through ASTM”, said Steve Howell, NBB Technical Director and Chair of the ASTM Biodiesel Task Force.

 

“However, some engine manufacturers and users may choose to use it that way while ASTM is going through the ballot process.  It does provide a stake in the ground from the engine community. It will be very instrumental in speeding along the ASTM passage of standards for finished B20 and lower blends.  

 

“We may end up with slightly different stability values or methods within ASTM, once more data is collected and voting is complete.  There are questions about how many parameters will be included in the finished ASTM biodiesel blend specifications, versus at the B100 or petrodiesel level prior to blending”, said Howell. “Either way, it is clear that control of quality at the B100 level is the key to trouble free biodiesel blend use”.   

 

During the past several years, NBB and EMA companies, as well as fuel injector and vehicle manufacturers, have engaged in biodiesel research and testing programs to develop an informed, fact-based position on the use of up to a 20 percent biodiesel blend in diesel applications in the U.S. based on existing data. 

 

These recommendations can be found online here: www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodiesel/guide/B20_Fleet_Recommendations.pdf.  

 

In addition, NBB and all the major vehicle, engine and fuel injector companies are engaged in a research program for new diesel technology.  The program tests B20 and lower blends in the advanced diesel engine platforms mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) starting with 2007 model year vehicles.  

 

“Our industry’s goal is for across-the-board B20 support in all major diesel engines and vehicles, and we are making great strides toward that”, said Jobe. “While some companies might not fully recommend use of blends higher than B5 yet, use of blends higher than B5 will not necessarily void existing parts and materials warranties. Customers have had virtually no problems with high quality B20 – the type that would come from a BQ-9000 approved supplier”, said Jobe.   

 

Last month, New Holland became the first equipment maker to approve the use of B20 in all of its equipment using New Holland engines.  In doing so, it became the first OEM to announce full support of B20 in all of the diesel engines that it produces.  Earlier this year, DaimlerChrysler announced approval of the use of B20 in its Dodge Ram pickup trucks for government, military and commercial fleet customers, effective with the 2007 Model Year.  

 

Biodiesel is a domestically produced, renewable fuel that can be made from any fat or vegetable oil, such as soybean oil.  It can be used in any diesel engine with few or no modifications, and can be blended with conventional diesel to produce a B20 or lower biodiesel blend.  Today, there are 65 manufacturing plants supplying more than 600 major fleets and approximately 850 filling stations with biodiesel.

 

Source: National Biodiesel Board 

 

David Smith, Singapore