Straight Vegetable Oil Vs Biodiesel
While the benefits of burning biodiesel fuel are widely known and recognized, the effects of running straight vegetable oil (known as SVO) are often a matter of controversy and speculation. In an effort to clear up some of the confusion, the United States Department of Energy wrote an article in April of 2006 with the title Straight Vegetable Oil as a Diesel Fuel?
The idea of running SVO to power an engine is not new. In fact, Mr. Rudolf Diesel himself originally designed the diesel engine to be fueled by peanut oil. Modern diesel engines, however, are far different from the early prototypes. The advent of the injection pump, high pressure fuel systems, and various high tolerance parts require that a less viscous fuel be employed. In addition to this, straight vegetable oil is prone to polymerizing as well as coking under the extreme conditions found within a diesel engine. Figure 1 shows that even small percentages of oil mixed with standard diesel fuel can dramatically increase the coking index of the fuel blend.
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What if I Preheat The SVO Prior to Injection Into The Engine?
In an effort to reduce the viscosity of SVO, most users employ a preheating system. Such systems are able to reduce the viscosity of the fuel, but only to a certain extent. As figure 2 shows, Vegetable oils retain much of their viscous nature even when preheated to high temperatures.
Also, note should be taken concerning the long-term effects of using SVO in a modern diesel engine with a catalytic converter or filter trap. In general, these systems were not originally designed with SVO in mind, they can be seriously damaged or poisoned by out-of-spec or contaminated fuel.
The Department of Energy summed up the situation well in the statement: "The published engineering literature strongly indicates that the use of SVO will lead to reduced engine life."
Consider the Legalities
While Springboard Biodiesel is not entirely opposed to the use of straight vegetable oil as a replacement for diesel, the operator should be aware that use of straight vegetable oil is entirely different from the use of ASTM-grade biodiesel. According to the EPA website:
"Neat vegetable oils and recycled greases (also called waste cooking oil or yellow grease) that have not been processed into mono-alkyl esters are not biodiesel. These raw oils, used as fuel extenders or fuel substitutes, are not registered with EPA and are not legal to use as a motor vehicle fuel. Furthermore, cooking oil is physically and chemically different than diesel fuel and its use in conventional engines will generally cause negative effects on emissions and engine durability."
Because of the potential for increased emissions, it is considered unlawful tampering to convert a vehicle designed for diesel fuel to operate on waste oil without EPA certification. To date, EPA has not certified any conversions for waste oils. Even with EPA certification, conversions may violate the terms of the vehicle warranty. For more information on the certification process, please visit EPA's Web site at: www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/dearmfr/cisd0602.pdf (22 pp, 152 K, About PDF)" .
The Department of Energy summed up the situation well in the statement: "The published engineering literature strongly indicates that the use of SVO will lead to reduced engine life."
Biodiesel The Real Solution
Biodiesel, on the other hand, is a product produced from a chemical reaction between SVO, methanol and a catalyst. Biodiesel has substantially different properties than SVO. This results in better engine performance. In most cases biodiesel has a lower boiling point and viscosity than does SVO. Biodiesel has a cetane rating substantially higher than petrol diesel and leaves minimal carbon deposits. More importantly, no modifications are needed for diesel engines to use biodiesel. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has laid out specifications that should be met for running pure biodiesel (B100). ASTM D6751-03a is intended to ensure the quality of biodiesel used in the United States. Any biodiesel used, whether it be blended or B100, should meet this standard to ensure optimum longevity for an engine. For a complete list of ASTM biodiesel requirements, see the 2004 Biodeisel Handling and Use Guidelines at www.nrel.go/docs/fy05osti/36182.pdf Visit also www.biodiesel.org to learn more about biodiesel quailty.
Biodiesel Quality and The BioPro Processors
The BioPro 190 and 380 produced by Springboard Biodiesel, are capable of making biodiesel in compliance with the ASTM D6751-03a standard. These processors are the ideal solution for any home or small business wanting to cut fuel costs, improve engine life, and benefit the environment.
1 Babu, A.K.; Devaradjane, G. “Vegetable Oils And Their Derivatives As Fuels For CI Engines: An Overview.” SAE Technical Paper No. 2003-01-0767.
2 Jones, Samuel T.; Peterson, Charles L.; Thompson, Joseph C. Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA. “Used Vegetable Oil Fuel Blend Comparisons Using Injector Coking in a DI Diesel Engine.” Presented at 2001 ASAE Annual International Meeting, Sacramento,
California, USA, July 30–August 1, 2001.
ASAE Paper No. 01-6051.
