february2021 - 32
SPOTLIGHT ON FLUIDS & FILTRATION
Alternative diesel
fuel options
for greener fleets
A look at the
benefits, impact,
and future of
biomass-based
diesel fuels.
By Kayla Oschmann
A
s regulations to reduce emissions and increase
fuel economy become more stringent, the use of
alternative fuel sources has increased in recent
years. Alternative fuels are valued not only for
their positive environmental impact, but also for
their efficiency and continuous advancements.
Biomass-based diesel fuels include biodiesel
and renewable diesel. Both are non-fossil fuels
made from waste such as vegetable oil, fats, and
greases, but differ in how they are produced and
in their physical properties. Here is a closer look
at each fuel, along with their benefits, impact on
diesel engines, and future trends.
Biodiesel vs. renewable diesel
Biodiesel is made using a chemical reaction called
transesterification and is approved for blending
with traditional petroleum diesel. It is often
found in blends of up to B20 (a blend containing
20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum
diesel) and meets the American Society for Testing
and Materials (ASTM) D6751 quality standards,
32 Fleet Maintenance | February 2021
»Alternative fuels are valued not only for their
positive environmental impact, but also for
their efficiency and continuous advancements.
18566639 | Olivier Le Queinec | Dreamstime
ensuring use in low-percentage blends without
causing significant problems with diesel engines.
" Biodiesel blends have shown to reduce total
emissions up to 80 percent, " says Phillip McGuffee,
operations manager at Green Energy Biofuel, a
recycling company and producer of biodiesel.
Renewable diesel, also known as hydrotreated
vegetable oil (HVO), is made by using a process
called thermal depolymerization. Renewable
diesel meets the fuel specification requirements
of ASTM D975 for petroleum diesel and therefore
does not require blending.
With a similar chemical composition to petroleum diesel, renewable diesel can be used as a
direct replacement for fleets.
" Renewable diesel does not contain olefins or
aromatics, " says Jason Martin, manager of heavy
duty engine thermodynamics at Detroit Diesel,
an American diesel engine manufacturer. " Both
biodiesel and renewable diesel can reduce hydrocarbon and particulate emissions, [however] we
recommend renewable diesel because it is the only
fuel that offers a reduction in NOx emissions and
does not contain catalyst poisons. "
Impacts on engines and
engine components
Most diesel engines today are designed to run
on biodiesel B20 and renewable diesel with no
negative effects.
february2021
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of february2021
Uptime: Will your independent parts distributor become obsolete?
Equipment: How future vehicle technologies will shape maintenance
In the Bay: Why cooling system management is more important than ever
Shop Operations: How mentorship programs can help combat the technician shortage
Drivetrain: Delivering on last-mile vehicles
Fluids & Filtration: Alternative diesel fuel options for greener fleets
Management: Explicit and implicit inspection
Economic Outlook: Points to ponder when preparing for a recovery
Fleet Parts & Components
Tools & Equipment
Classifieds
Guest Editorial: The case for internal tire balancing
february2021 - A001
february2021 - A002
february2021 - 1
february2021 - 2
february2021 - 3
february2021 - 4
february2021 - 5
february2021 - 6
february2021 - 7
february2021 - Uptime: Will your independent parts distributor become obsolete?
february2021 - 9
february2021 - Equipment: How future vehicle technologies will shape maintenance
february2021 - 11
february2021 - 12
february2021 - 13
february2021 - 14
february2021 - 15
february2021 - In the Bay: Why cooling system management is more important than ever
february2021 - 17
february2021 - 18
february2021 - 19
february2021 - 20
february2021 - 21
february2021 - Shop Operations: How mentorship programs can help combat the technician shortage
february2021 - 23
february2021 - 24
february2021 - 25
february2021 - 26
february2021 - 27
february2021 - Drivetrain: Delivering on last-mile vehicles
february2021 - 29
february2021 - 30
february2021 - 31
february2021 - Fluids & Filtration: Alternative diesel fuel options for greener fleets
february2021 - 33
february2021 - Management: Explicit and implicit inspection
february2021 - Economic Outlook: Points to ponder when preparing for a recovery
february2021 - Fleet Parts & Components
february2021 - 37
february2021 - 38
february2021 - Tools & Equipment
february2021 - 40
february2021 - 41
february2021 - 42
february2021 - 43
february2021 - 44
february2021 - 45
february2021 - 46
february2021 - 47
february2021 - 48
february2021 - Classifieds
february2021 - Guest Editorial: The case for internal tire balancing
february2021 - 51
february2021 - 52
february2021 - B1
february2021 - B2
february2021 - B3
february2021 - B4
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