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MARKETING & SUPPLY BY MARKWARD SR. The role of technology and economics in addressing the problems with biodiesel BIODIESEL ADDITIVES B IODIESEL HAS COME A LONG WAY ON THE quality front since it was first brought to mar- ket. Manufacturers that diligently follow the guidelines set down by the National Biodiesel Broad make quality products that are up to the general quality experienced by more traditional fuels. However, there are some specific issues with biodiesel that require extra attention and if the supply source is less con- sistent in quality precautions can be taken to minimize any issues that might arise. To understand the situation it helps to begin at the begin- ning. "Biodiesel is a transester of a natural oil such as soy- bean, rapeseed, canola, or meat tallow," says Peter Guerra, vice president of marketing for FPPF Chemical Company Inc., a Buffalo-based maker of diesel fuel additives. "But natural oils won't work in an engine. You must remove the glycerine and turn the product into an ester." Problems can arise because, adds Guerra, "(Some) biodiesel manufacturers don't do a good job of removing the glycerine." The challenge is not so much in the technol- ogy, since the chemical processes are well known, but due to economics. Biodiesel is still a very small market compared to that for conventional and ultra low sulfur diesel. "So it tends to attract smaller manufacturers who get government subsidies," he observes. With numerous small entities vying over a small market, price competition reigns. Biodiesel already costs about a dollar more per gallon to produce than conventional diesel. As a result, relates Guerra, "Some manufacturers will try to get oils as cheaply as possible which means there can be a lot of impurities." Jim Vrzak, sales director for performance fuel additives at Innospec Fuel Specialties of Littleton, Colo., agrees, "The larg- er biodiesel manufacturers have tightened their specifications, but the quality is more uneven with smaller manufacturers." And Bob Tatnall, president of Fuel Right, a producer of addi- tives in Wilmington, Del., reports, "Problems with biodiesel are caused by the wide variety of manufacturers. Biodiesel is a new opportunity that's attracted a lot of small entrants." Tatnall also cites a geographic component in the equa- tion, since biodiesel manufacturers tend to start up near 18 MARCH 2012 ready sources of natural oils. In the mid-Atlantic region where Fuel Right is based, most biodiesel is produced from soybean oil. Further south, sawgrass is a common feedstock. By contrast, animal fats are a more economical source for Canadian producers. "And biodiesel made from animal fats, for example, have extremely high pour points and tend to gel at higher temperatures than other biodiesels," Tatnall continues. "So there's a struggle in the industry to develop biodiesel specs that ensure consistency, predictability, and usability since we have so much variety in feedstocks. Right now, all the dif- ferent sources are considered O.K. Yet they all have different chemical properties." Biodiesel offers undeniable environmental benefits because it emits fewer pollutants. "But the best biodiesel, made from the best quality starter oil, is also the most expensive," Guerra states. "Given the economic realities of the market, that means product (can be) inconsistent. PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS Even with the variability of biodiesels sold today, some gener- alizations can be made of the problems it presents as a motor fuel. These may be summarized as biodiesel's tendencies—when compared to conventional diesels—to gel at higher tempera- tures, attract water and bacteria, destabilize when stored over several weeks, and plug filters when used the first time. Because biodiesel gels at higher temperatures—according to Guerra, about 20°F higher—then the fuel will gel in the winter season sooner than conventional diesel. For this rea- son, pure biodiesel or B100 is presently impractical as a win- ter fuel. Even "bioblends" sold today, which may range from B5 to B20—or conventional diesel blended with 5 percent to 20 percent biodiesel—are at least somewhat susceptible. "B100 has a pour point of about 32°F," explains Vrzak, "and if you blend it into conventional diesel, especially at 5 percent or more, then you raise the pour point of the motor fuel you're using. Traditional cold flow solutions for diesel, which inhibit formation of wax crystals, don't work so well with biodiesel." Innospec has specially formulated its Bio Winterflow cold flow improver as a winter solution for biodiesel. For its part, FPPF has developed its Biodiesel Fuel Power additive, which NPN Magazine n www.npnweb.com