Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future: Promoting Biodiesel as an Alternative Fuel Option
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Presentation Transcript
Introduction • Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future • Reduces amount of imported oil • Strengthens the nation’s reliance on alternative fuels • Helps grow the economy with new clean energy jobs • Works to make international bioenergy sustainable • Can be used in most existing diesel vehicles • Biodiesel = promising alternative fuel option • Biodiesel use with existing infrastructure/equipment • Biodiesel blends
Lesson 1: Introduction to Biodiesel
Objectives • Describe what biodiesel is and how to identify it • Explain the basic history of biodiesel • Describe how biodiesel may help public health • Explain how biodiesel may help stimulate the economy • Describe what energy security is and how to use biodiesel to attain it
Definition of Biodiesel • Biodiesel is: • Domestically produced • Renewable fuel • Eligible for certain state and federal tax credits • Carbon-neutral • Meets requirements of ASTM standard D6751 Figure 1: Biodiesel. Source: NAFTC.
Biodiesel Feedstocks • Biodiesel is manufactured from materials such as: • Oils • Animal fat • Recycled organic waste Figure 2: U.S. biodiesel feedstock supply. Source: NREL.
Chemical Properties of Biodiesel • Pure biodiesel (B100) has a slightly lower energy content than conventional diesel (12.5% less per pound, 8% less per gallon) • Biodiesel produces less carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and other emissions when compared to conventional diesel
Special Note: It is important to know that biodiesel is NOT straight vegetable oil (SVO) or waste vegetable oil (WVO).
Biodiesel Color • Water white • Biodiesel Smell • Blends that are 5% conventional diesel or more begin to smell like conventional diesel • Biodiesel Identification • Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) • Color and viscosity
Biodiesel Blends • Pure biodiesel = B100 • Most common blend = B20 (20% biodiesel) • B5 (5% biodiesel, 95% diesel) • B2 (2% biodiesel, 98% diesel) • Splash Blending – biodiesel and conventional diesel are loaded into vessel separately, mixed by agitation of transport • In-line Blending – biodiesel is added to a stream of conventional diesel as it travels through a pipe or hose
Cold Weather • May gel at low temperatures like conventional diesel • Varies depending upon the blend • B5 and conventional diesel perform similarly in cold weather situations • B2 has the best cold weather characteristics Special Note: Seewww.biodiesel.org/using-biodiesel/handling-use/cold-weather-guidefor a cold weather guide.
Basic History of Biodiesel • First diesel engines provided more power than gasoline engines • Extremely large and heavy • Industrial and stationary applications • Rudolph Diesel • Compression-ignited fuel • First engine fueled by peanut oil Figure 3: Rudolph Diesel. Source: NAFTC.
Basic History of Biodiesel • Important moments and people in the history of biodiesel: • First diesel engine company in the U.S. – 1898 • Busch-Zulzer Brothers • Clessie Cummins • Prosper l’Orange • First production passenger vehicle powered by a diesel engine – 1936 Figure 4: Early diesel engine. Source: NAFTC.
Biodiesel Today • 75 years of diesel vehicles • B5 and B20 engine approvals • Most biodiesel applications = heavy- and medium-duty vehicles • Biodiesel fueling of light-duty vehicles is less common Figure 5: Diesel vehicle. Source: NAFTC.
Figure 6: Biodiesel and diesel facts and figures. Source: NAFTC.
Differences Between Biodiesel, Diesel and Gasoline • Diesel engines = compression-ignited (CI) • Gasoline engines = spark-ignited (SI) • More torque • Most diesel engines can run on biodiesel blends of 5% to 20% with little or no modification
Figure 7: Overall compression ignition process. Source: NREL.
Biodiesel and Lubricity • Lubricity – the measure of the reduction in friction of a lubricant • Diesel injection systems require lubrication for small, close moving parts • Sulfur as a lubricant in diesel • Esters in biodiesel are a natural lubricant
Biodiesel and Cetane • Cetane – the measure of a fuel’s ability to auto-ignite • Higher cetane number = shorter ignition delay, enhanced engine performance, fewer emissions • Cetane Numbers: • Most diesel: 40 • Pure biodiesel: 65
Technological Advances • Diesel-Electric Hybrid Vehicles • Similar to gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles • Vehicle components: • Internal combustion engine (compression ignited) • Electric motor/generator (MG) • High-voltage battery pack • Transmission • Fuel storage system Figure 8: Diesel-electric hybrid school bus. Source: NAFTC.
Why Consider Biodiesel? • Cleaner-burning fuel • Domestically produced from renewable resources • Promotes energy self-sufficiency • Creation of jobs in agricultural sector • Almost any diesel vehicle can use biodiesel with little or no modification • Easiest fuel to implement due to existing infrastructure and blending
Biodiesel Compared to Diesel Figure 9: Biodiesel compared to diesel. Source: Fueleconomy.gov.
Biodiesel Benefits • There are many benefits of using biodiesel to fuel vehicles: • Betterment of health and environment • Benefits to the U.S. economy • National energy security • Reduce dependence on foreign oil
Health Benefits • Biodegradable and nontoxic • Exhaust not as strong smelling as conventional diesel • No threat to human health • Reduces emissions that cause respiratory illness • In 2000, biodiesel became only alternative fuel in U.S. to complete EPA health effects testing under the Clean Air Act
Environmental Benefits • Carbon-neutral • Plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere • Made from plant material • GHG emissions are reduced because biodiesel releases carbon dioxide that crops originally removed • According to EPA, biodiesel can reduce GHG emissions • Can be used with SCR aftertreatment systems to reduce NOx, which leads to acid rain Figure 10: Clean air quality. Source: NAFTC.
Biodiesel is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Source: National Biodiesel Board, 2011
Figure 11: Emission reductions achieved by the use of biodiesel blends. Source: NBB.
Economic Benefits • Supports U.S. agriculture and rural communities • According to National Biodiesel Board, the biodiesel industry is expected to create an additional 74,000 jobs by 2015 • Will increase household income by $4 billion • Will generate nearly $7.3 billion in GDP
Energy Security Benefits • U.S. is one of the greatest agricultural product exporters • Increased demand for transportation • Dependency on foreign oil to meet transportation demand • Use of existing agricultural production and infrastructure
Figure 12: U.S. gasoline prices versus crude oil prices. Source: EIA.
Renewable Benefits • Renewable = can be produced and replenished • Energy balance = ratio of energy required to produce/distribute fuel compared to the amount of energy released when used • Very high energy balance compared to other fuels • 3.2 units of renewable energy • Compared to diesel = 0.83 units
Upon completing this lesson, can you: • Describe what biodiesel is and how to identify it? • Explain the basic history of biodiesel? • Describe how biodiesel may help public health? • Explain how biodiesel may help stimulate the economy? • Describe what energy security is and how to use biodiesel to attain it?
Test Your Knowledge • Who patented the diesel engine in 1892? • True or False: Biodiesel is derived from various feedstock sources including vegetable oil, soybean oil, and canola oil. • True or False: The most common blend of biodiesel is B20 (20% biodiesel). • True or False: ALL types of vehicles and engines can use biodiesel without any modification.
Lesson 2: Biodiesel Manufacturing, Infrastructure, and Sustainability
Objectives • Describe what biodiesel is made from – biomass and feedstock • Explain how biodiesel is manufactured and produced • Describe how biodiesel is transported • Explain how biodiesel is distributed • Describe the sustainability of biodiesel – its future and cost efficiency
Renewable Fuel Sources • Renewable – describes a fuel that can be produced and replenished by some action that might be taken • The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy identifies the following as renewable fuels: • Biomass • Geothermal • Hydrogen • Hydropower • Solar • Wind
Biomass • Biomass – biological or organic matter available on a renewable basis • Bioenergy Feedstock • Feedstock – preliminary product that can be made into a fuel (i.e. soybeans) Figure 13: Soybeans. Source: NAFTC.
Considerable modifications must be made to use these oils: • Straight vegetable oil (SVO) • Waste vegetable oil (WVO) Neither Engine Manufacturer’s Association (EMA) nor National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recommend use
New research finds that summer kelp, rich with energy-dense carbohydrates and soluble sugars, may offer a new source of biofuel. Source: Society for Experimental Biology in Scotland, 2011
Manufacturing and Production • Transesterification • Transesterification = process to produce biodiesel from renewable oils • Catalyst and alcohol are added • Mixture produces biodiesel which is washed and dried for quality • By product of glycerol can be used by soap industry
Algae Biodiesel Production • Up to 300 times more oil per acre than conventional crops • Harvest cycle: 1 to 10 days • Lands unsuitable for food crops Figure 14: Examining algae for oil content. Source: NREL.
Open Pond Method – water is circulated around a shallow trench to expose the algae to as much sunlight as possible Covered Pond Method – algae pond is enclosed; a greenhouse offers greater productivity and safety Figure 15: Open pond method. Source: NREL.
Vertical Enclosed Method – the algae is grown in a fully controlled, highly monitored environment Figure 16: Inspecting samples in an algae library. Source: NREL.
Waste Vegetable Oil • Edible cooking oils – peanut, sunflower, olive • Curbside oil recycling programs in some states, Georgia for example • Oil poured down drains Animal Fats • Most common types used: tallow, lard, grease • Additives
Restaurants and large hotels produce around 3-5 billion gallons of waste oil per year. That’s enough to fill tanker trucks that span from California to D.C. and back. Source: EPA.
Brown Grease • Brown Grease – grease that is collected from sewer systems that is often contaminated with water, trash, wasted food, and unwanted materials • Is a viable low-cost option if feedstock prices continue to rise
Transport and Distribution • Truck, train, and barge • Biodiesel pipeline • Pure form • Pre-mixed blends Figure 17: Biodiesel distribution system. Source: NAFTC.
Transporters • Bulk shipments • Same handling procedures as conventional diesel Figure 18: Hazardous material description identification number UN 1993 placard. Source: USDOT, PHMSA.
Infrastructure • The use of biodiesel does not require significant changes to the existing conventional diesel infrastructure • Production facilities must be built Figure 19 (left): Biodiesel fueling pump. Figure 20 (right): Biodiesel fueling pump. Source: NAFTC.
Fueling Stations • Additional pumps • Specialized tanks Biodiesel Fueling Station Safety Systems • Includes: remote emergency shutdown switch, internal valves in fuel supply tank, excess flow valves, breakaway coupling in fuel hose, manual shutoff valve, and excess-flow valve • Other features are available Figure 21: Biodiesel fueling station. Source: NREL.
