Making a Sustainable Choice with Biodiesel

Running biodiesel in your equipment can be a reliable way to replace petroleum sourced diesel fuel with renewable home-grown source. But biodiesel requires more handling and management care than conventional diesel fuel. Here’s how to understand those differences and how to run biofuel successfully in your machines.

Biodiesel Basics

Biodiesel is manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, and even recycled grease from restaurants. Biodiesel can also be made from natural gas, carbon dioxide.

Because it’s made from these sources, biodiesel is both a renewable fuel and a biodegradable substance. It is a “green” option for fleets running diesel powered equipment. And it’s often blended with conventional diesel fuels.

The raw oils or animal fats used to make biodiesel are chemically processed (esterified) to form a fatty acid called methyl ester (referred to as FAME). The oil or fat must be esterified, and water and contaminants should be removed.

Which Biodiesel Blend Should You Use?

Biodiesel fuel is acceptable for use in Cat^® machines. The fuel's quality is the principal factor in successfully running biodiesel. Here are common blends and the quality levels needed:

• B5 is a blend of up to 5% biodiesel by volume in 95% diesel fuels. This is common in the United States and can be sold without any labeling indicating that biodiesel is contained in the finished fuel. 

• B20 is up to 20% biodiesel and 80% diesel by volume. It’s a common blend in the U.S. and in other areas of the world. The specification is ASTM D7467. B20 is acceptable in most Cat engines, including Tier 4 engines. 

• B100 biodiesel, or neat biodiesel, is 100% FAME. This is acceptable in many Cat engines. The specification is ASTM D6751.

Benefits of Making the Switch to Biofuels

Biodiesel offers these advantages for your business:

• It is a renewable, nontoxic and biodegradable fuel.

• It reduces tailpipe particulate matter, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions from most modern diesel engines.

• It has high lubricity, which reduces friction.

• It has a high cetane number; B5 biodiesel blends have the same attributes as diesel fuel.

Be Knowledgeable About Higher Blend Levels

Biodiesel fuels with more than 5% biodiesel require more management. Here are some things to be aware of for these more concentrated formulas:

• B20 is rather common and mandated in some states in the U.S. Be aware of the age of B20 and its storage. Quality B20 can be stored for eight months. You need to test it for quality after that. 

• At B100, biodiesel has about 8% lower energy density than diesel. At B20 or lower blend levels, the energy density difference from diesel fuel is not significant.

• Biodiesel has shorter storage life due to lower oxidation stability than diesel fuel. 

• Cold temperature operability is different than diesel fuel.

• Materials compatibility is more restricted than diesel fuel. Cat engines use compatible elastomers. 

• Higher biodiesel concentrations are more likely to dissolve and absorb water than diesel fuel.

• Use of biodiesel in engines with aftertreatment devices is limited to B20. This is due to metals that naturally occur in biodiesel (phosphorus, sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium).

• Contaminants such as glycerides, mono and diesters and sterol glucosides can be present after an incomplete purifying process. These contaminants can cause early filter plugging.

• Expect a higher propensity for microbial growth due to the biodegradable nature of biodiesel and to the tendency of higher water absorption.

Caterpillar Recommendations for Biodiesel Fuel Use

This chart shows which biodiesel blend levels are acceptable for use in Cat engines.

Additionally, Caterpillar recommends biodiesel fuel must meet these standards.