Positive and Negative Properties of Biodiesel

Another set of complications comes with the biodiesel that is blended into many diesel loads. Biodiesel is an excellent drop-in fuel that improves diesel’s environmental profile and can improve the price, but it also will make the fuel more complex and less stable in storage, which increases the need for effective fuel quality management. 

Not all biodiesel is created equal, even if it meets specification. The different available feed stocks (soybean oil, animal fat, etc.) and blending methods can pose challenges to fuel quality and necessitate different storage and handling standards. The National Biodiesel Board operates the BQ-9000® program, which enables refiners and marketers to achieve quality assurance certification by maintaining high standards for adherence to specifications. By choosing only BQ-9000-certified marketers, buyers give themselves extra protection on fuel quality. Non-BQ-9000 marketers generally produce fuel that meets the ASTM biodiesel specification (D6751), but there are exceptions. Determine whether you are buying diesel-biodiesel blends, and ask your supplier what they do to ensure the quality of their fuel blends. Biodiesel can accelerate stability issues with fuel in storage. If biodiesel is present, then a stability additive should be applied and fuel should be tested on an annual basis. Shelf life of the fuel can be from 2-6 months if left untreated.