James G. Speight - Encyclopedia of Renewable Energy

Biodiesel production is a very modern and technological area for researchers due to the relevance that it is winning every day because of the increase in the crude oil price and the environmental advantages.

Biodiesel is biodegradable and non-toxic, and typically produces approximately 60% v/v less net carbon dioxide emissions than crude oil-based diesel, as it is itself produced from atmospheric carbon dioxide via photosynthesis in plants.

It is practically immiscible with water, and has a high boiling point and low vapor pressure. Typical methyl ester biodiesel has a flash point of approximately 150°C (300°F), making it rather non-flammable. Biodiesel has a density of approximately 0.88 g/cm³, less than that of water. Biodiesel uncontaminated with starting material can be regarded as non-toxic, but it is recommended that no one drink any!

Biodiesel has a viscosity similar to diesel produced from crude oil (petrodiesel). It can be used as an additive in formulations of diesel to increase the lubricity of pure ULSD fuel, which is advantageous because it has virtually no sulfur content.

Much of the world uses a system known as the “B” factor to state the amount of biodiesel in any fuel mix. For example, fuel containing 20% biodiesel is labeled B20. Pure biodiesel is referred to as B100. Blends of 20% biodiesel with 80% crude oil diesel (B20) can generally be used in unmodified diesel engines. Biodiesel can also be used in its pure form (B100), but may require certain engine modifications to avoid maintenance and performance problems. Biodiesel has approximately 5 to 8% less energy density, but better lubricity and more complete combustion can make the energy output of a diesel engine only 2% less per volume when compared to petrodiesel.

The higher lubricity index of biodiesel compared to petrodiesel is an advantage and can contribute to longer fuel injector life. However, biodiesel is a better solvent than crude oil-derived diesel, and has been known to break down deposits of residue in the fuel lines of vehicles that have previously been run on petrodiesel. As a result, fuel filters and injectors may become clogged with particulates if a quick transition to pure biodiesel is made, as biodiesel cleans the engine in the process.

The temperature at which pure (B100) biodiesel starts to gel varies significantly and depends upon the mix of esters and therefore the feedstock oil used to produce the biodiesel. For example, biodiesel produced from varieties of canola seed starts to gel at approximately -10 °C. Biodiesel produced from tallow tends to gel at around 16oC (61oF). Winter operation is possible with biodiesel blended with other fuel oils including #2 low-sulfur diesel and #1 diesel/kerosene, but the exact blend depends on the operating environment.

Biodiesel may contain small but problematic quantities of water. Although it is hydrophobic (non-miscible with water molecules), there are indications that biodiesel is said to be, at the same time, hygroscopic to the point of attracting water molecules from atmospheric moisture. In addition, there may be water that is residual to processing or resulting from storage tank condensation. The presence of water is a problem because (i) water reduces the heat of combustion of the bulk fuel which means more smoke, harder starting, and less power, (ii) water causes corrosion of vital fuel system components: fuel pumps, injector pumps, and fuel lines, (iii) water freezes to form ice crystals at 0°C (32 °F), and the crystals provide sites for nucleation and accelerate the gelling of the residual fuel, and (iv) water accelerates the growth of microbe colonies, which can plug up a fuel system and, in fact, biodiesel users who have heated fuel tanks therefore face a year-round microbe problem.

The extra lubrication provided by biodiesel fuel helps improve the longevity of the engine, as well as boosting engine performance, also helping eliminate engine knocks and noise. In addition, biodiesel fuel can be stored in any type of tank and has a much higher flash point (approximately 300°C, 570°F) compared to petrodiesel (approximately 150°C, 300°F).

See also: Biodiesel, Biodiesel – Feedstocks, Biodiesel – Production, Biodiesel – Technical Standards.

The common international standard for biodiesel is EN 14214, while ASTM D6751 is the most common standard referenced in the United States and Canada ( Table B-6). In Germany, the requirements for biodiesel are fixed in the DIN EN 14214 standard, and in the UK, the requirements for biodiesel is fixed in the BS EN 14214 standard, although these last two standards are essentially the same as EN 14214 and are just prefixed with the respective national standards institution codes.

Table B-6Specifications for diesel and biodiesel (ASTM).

There are standards for three different varieties of biodiesel, which are made of different oils: (i) rapeseed methyl ester, DIN E51606, (ii) vegetable methyl ester, purely vegetable products, DIN E51606, and (iii) fat methyl ester, vegetable and animal products, according to DIN V51606. The standards ensure that the following important factors in the fuel production process are satisfied; there needs to be (i) complete reaction, (ii) removal of glycerin, (iii) removal of catalyst, (iv) removal of alcohol, (v) absence of free fatty acids, and (vi) low sulfur content.

Basic industrial tests to determine whether the products conform to the standards typically include gas chromatography, a test that verifies only the more important of the variables above. Fuel meeting the quality standards is very non-toxic, with a toxicity rating (LD50) of greater than 50 mL/kg.

Biodiesel has promising lubricating properties and cetane ratings compared to low sulfur diesel fuels. Fuels with higher lubricity may increase the usable life of high-pressure fuel injection equipment that relies on the fuel for its lubrication. Depending on the engine, this might include high pressure injection pumps, pump injectors (also called unit injectors ), and fuel injectors.

Generally, the heat content (calorific value) of biodiesel is lower than that of the regular crude oil-derived diesel, and variations in biodiesel energy density are more dependent on the feedstock used than the production process. Biodiesel can provide better lubricity and more complete combustion, thus increasing the engine energy output and partially compensating for the higher energy density of petrodiesel. The color of biodiesel ranges from golden to dark brown, depending on the production method. It is slightly miscible with water, has a high boiling point, and, consequently, a low vapor pressure. The flash point of biodiesel exceeds 130°C (266°F), which is significantly higher than that of crude oil-derived diesel which may be as low as 52°C (126°F). Biodiesel has a density of on the order of 0.88 g/cm³, higher than petrodiesel (which is approximately 0.85 g/cm³). Typically, biodiesel does not contain sulfur, and it is often used as an additive to ULSD fuel to aid with lubrication, as the sulfur compounds in petrodiesel provide much of the lubricity.