BIODIESEL QUICK FACTS

Biodiesel Defined

Biodiesel is a domestic renewable fuel for diesel engines derived from natural oils such as soybean oil and meets specification of ASTM D6751.

Technical Description

Biodiesel is a fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, called B100, and meeting the specification of ASTM D6751.

Biodiesel blend is a blend of biodiesel, meeting ASTM specification D6751, and petroleum-based diesel fuel meeting ASTM specification D975. Such fuel is designated Bxx with the xx representing the volume percent of biodiesel in the blend (e.g., 20% Biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel is known as B20).

Click here to view biodiesel specifications and test explanations for B100 ASTM D6751

Benefits of Biodiesel

Biodiesel is made from renewable sources such as vegetable oils, animal fats and used cooking oil. Since it is made from renewable sources it extends our national petroleum supplies and reduces America’s reliance upon foreign oil.

Biodiesel also helps reduce emissions and pollutants. A B20 blend can reduce CO emissions up to 11% and CO2 emissions by 12%, particulate matter (PM) emissions are also reduced. As of June 2006 all diesel sold in the state of California must be 15 PPM sulfur CARB specification diesel. This ultralow sulfur diesel used in a B20 blend combined with 2007 and newer engine technology can result in substantial decreases in greenhouse gas emissions.

Biodiesel also improves lubricity. The addition of biodiesel in a blend with conventional diesel can improve lubricity, which is important with the introduction of Ultralow Sulfur Diesel.

Biodiesel has another benefit. Many users note the exhaust from biodiesel smells better than the exhaust of conventional diesel.

Guidelines for Usage

Quality control is essential for good results. It is important to purchase quality biodiesel meeting ASTM D6751 standard and to purchase quality petroleum diesel meeting ASTM D975 to use in a biodiesel blend. A quality blend starts with quality components.

In its pure form B100 is a solvent and may loosen or dissolve sediments in fueling systems left by conventional diesel. It is important to make sure that before beginning to use biodiesel the fuel storage and delivery system is clean and free of water and sediments. When first using B20 or higher blends it is recommended users monitor fuel filters for plugging during initial use. The potential for filter plugging usually disappears after a few tanks. Biodiesel blends of B5 or lower generally meet the diesel fuel properties described in ASTM D975.

Biodiesel will have cold flow properties differing from petroleum diesel. In low temperature applications biodiesel can start to gel. This can be moderated by blending with a conventional diesel with good cold flow properties and use of cold flow additives.

Fleet Card Fuels Biodiesel Blends

Fleet Card Fuels is always focused on quality. Many hours of research were performed before the biodiesel sales program was initiated. Only quality biodiesel and quality petroleum diesel are used in the Fleet Card Fuels biodiesel blend. In the continuing effort to provide quality fuels to our customers Fleet Card Fuels followed all recommended guidelines before offering the product to our customers including a complete cleaning of the tanks and dispenser used for the delivery of biodiesel. Our commitment to quality does not stop here. Fleet Card Fuels will continue to research the spectrum of biofuels in an ongoing effort to provide quality fuels to benefit our customers and our environment.