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What is the downside of using biodiesel?
- A slight increase in NO2 emissions
over petroleum diesel may be experienced, especially with older engines.
These NO2 emissions can be eliminated with the use of a catalytic converter.
- Biodiesel does not store well for
periods of time as it will separate, congeal and in general break down while
in storage.
- Biodiesel is subject to algae growth
as water accelerates microbial growth and is naturally more prevalent in
biodiesel fuels than in petroleum-based diesel fuels. Care must be taken to
remove water from biodiesel during manufacture and from fuel tanks. A special algaecide for diesel can be added to
the fuel to inhibit algae growth.
- 100%
biodiesel and higher percentage biodiesel blends can cause a variety of engine
performance problems, including filter plugging, injector choking, piston ring
sticking and breaking, elastomer seal swelling and hardening/cracking, and
severe engine lubricant degradation.
- Because
biodiesel varies based on manufacturing process and the source materials used,
elastomer compatibility with biodiesel remains unclear; therefore, when
biodiesel fuels are used, the condition of seals, hoses, gaskets, and wire
coatings should be monitored regularly.
- Especially at low ambient temperatures, biodiesel is thicker than conventional
diesel fuel, which limits its use in certain geographic areas. This can be
solved through the use of winterizing agents also used in petroleum based
diesel fuel or, if practical, you can store the biodiesel in a warm location or
heat the fuel tank.
- The biodiesel you use must be free of
all foreign material!
- A
consortium of diesel fuel injection equipment manufacturers (“FIE
Manufacturers”) issued a position statement concluding that blends greater
than B5 (5% biodiesel 95% petroleum diesel) can cause reduced product service
life and injection equipment failures. According to the FIE Manufacturers’
Position Statement, even if the B100 (100% biodiesel) used in a blend and
meets one or more specifications, “the enhanced care and attention required to
maintain the fuels in vehicle tanks may make for a high risk of non-compliance
to the standard during use.” As a result, the FIE Manufacturers disclaim
responsibility for any failures attributable to operating their products with
fuels for which the products were not designed.
- There is
limited information on the effect of neat (100%) biodiesel and biodiesel
blends on engine durability during various environmental conditions. More
information is needed to assess the viability of using these fuels over the
operational life and operating periods typical of heavy-duty engines such as
generators.
- Biodiesel is a good solvent and can be corrosive. It will dissolve rubber and
some plastics, remove paint, oxidize aluminum and other metals, and it has
been reported to destroy asphalt and concrete if spills were not cleaned
quickly. Keep it off items you care about.
What does the US Military do or say
about Biodiesel?
- Due to minimal cold flow data using
animal-tallow biodiesel blendstock, the tallow-based biodiesel isn't permitted
for use in the current military specification. The specification currently
used by DESC requires only virgin soy or grapeseed methyl-ester blendstocks,
but the military hopes to approve yellow greases in the near future.
- The
military bans biodiesel for tactical military vehicles, even under current
military fuel specs.
DISCLAIMER:
This information is provided as a service for your general information to enable
you to ask the pertinent questions of
your fuel distributor. We at Enviroharvest, Power to Go Generators are not
fuel experts familiar with various
fuel types and compositions. We recommend that you discuss your
plans with your local Home Heating Oil / Fuel Oil distributor. You must make
your decisions based solely upon information given to you by them. We recommend using ONLY standard or agricultural grade
or off-road Diesel #2 within your generator set. We assume NO
responsibility or liability resulting from any decision you might make to use
any fuel other than grade Diesel #2 within your diesel generator.
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