Spokane County Extension

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Alternative Enery Enterprises (Correction)

Following is a correction to the October newsletter article Alternative Energy Enterprises in which Diana Roberts wrote “the main drawback to biodiesel is that it gels at 54 0F”.

Actually, the cloud point and cold flow plug point for biodiesel are dependent upon the type of feedstock (oil source) used.  For instance, if tallow is used as the feedstock for biodiesel, then the cloud point would be much higher, since tallow is solid at room temperature.  In practice, the same precautions that are taken with No. 2 diesel in cold climates are prudent with biodiesel blends, such as blending with No. 1 diesel or flow modifying additives.   It is probably not a good idea to run 100% biodiesel in a cold climate unless the vehicle can be parked inside.

The following data are from tests run on soy methyl esters

Biodiesel concentration (%)

mixed with No. 2 diesel

Cloud point (0F)

0

3

10

5

20

7

30

14

50

18

100

32

Source: National Biodiesel Board web site

·         The diesel industry has solved the problems with Number 2 diesel using several commonly used methods that should also be used with biodiesel blends to ensure satisfactory cold weather performance.

·         B20 (a 20% blend of biodiesel with diesel fuel)  has been used successfully without any additional precautions in fleets experiencing extremely cold weather.

·         When using blends of B20 or lower, the cold weather performance of the blend is mostly determined by the diesel fuel portion.

·         Incorporation of blends less than 20% biodiesel (i.e. B5 or B2) into existing diesel fuel has little or no effect on the cold flow properties of the finished blend.

Information provided by Barry Tee, Production Ag Coordinator with the Spokane County Conservation District. Phone (509) 535-7274.

 

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