Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/630222
JOBS for TEAMS | 40 www.jobsfor teams.com Equipment Spotlight Continued testing the performance characteristics of renewable diesel. "Renewable hydrocarbon diesel may be produced through different processes using any one of several feedstocks," the report states. "It is difficult for engine manufacturers to evaluate and approve a fuel defined as renewable hydrocarbon diesel without first determining the feedstock and process utilized for its production." The largest provider of renewable diesel fuel in the U.S., Neste, favors using feedstocks that do not come directly from the food chain, such as animal fats and waste material. Neste will be sup- plying UPS with 46 million gallons of its NEXBTL renewable diesel over the next three years. EMA says some engine manufacturers have recommended renewable diesel, while others haven't been as enthusiastic. "Some (manufacturers) are concerned, however, that neat renewable hydrocar- bon fuel or fuel blends having a high percentage of renewable hydrocarbon fuel may cause engine malfunction," EMA reports. "Engine manufacturers continue to evaluate renewable hydrocarbon die- sel fuel to determine potential concerns and consider additional standard recom- mendations." EMA did not provide the names of en- gine manufacturers that have concerns with the fuel. Cummins expects to be done with its initial testing in January. The Indiana- based company will be examining the fuel's impact on emissions, maintenance intervals, performance, reliability and durability. Fuel density, cetane number, energy content and other characteristics of the fuel will be evaluated. Cummins is also hoping to get feed- back from consumers who have been us- ing renewable diesel in Cummins engines. They can contribute to the evaluation by contacting their Cummins account manager or calling 1-800-DIESELS. "We welcome any actual field data that customers have experienced in Cum- mins engines and renewable diesel fuel to assist in our evaluation," the company states. EMA reports that renewable diesel's density is lower which thus makes its energy content lower as well. Still, EMA advises that not enough data is available yet to determine the overall impact on fuel consumption rates. While EMA recognizes the lower emis- sions of renewable diesel, it cautions that more recent data is needed. "The influence of renewable hydrocar- bon diesel fuel's properties on 2010 and later on-highway and Tier 4 non-road en- gines has not been evaluated sufficiently to make similar comparisons (to earlier tests made against conventional diesel)," the report reads. Though it wouldn't mention names, Cummins says it has been in commu- nication with various renewable diesel manufacturers and that it may launch a larger scale study following the conclu- sion of its initial evaluation next month. "Our current evaluation stems from changes in fuel properties that have been shown in the past to have an impact on emissions, both negative and positive," reports the company. "We believe it is important to understand if the use of this fuel would create higher tailpipe emissions in all possible applica- tions and drive cycles.">