DOE/GO-102016-4875 

November 2016

Biodiesel Handling 

and Use Guide

(Fifth Edition)
Disclaimer

This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United 

States government. Neither the United States government nor any agency thereof, nor any 

of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or 

responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, 

product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned 

rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade 

name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its 

endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or 

reflect those of the United States government or any agency thereof.

Every effort has been made to ensure that this manual is accurate, complete, and comprehensive at the time of publication. It is intended to be used as a guide and resource document. The authors strongly encourage all parties with an interest in establishing E85 or 

other ethanol blends fueling systems to engage professional support during installation to 

ensure fuel integrity and systems compatibility.

This document is not intended for use as a “how to” guide for individuals or organizations 

performing conversions.
Report Contributors and Roles

Lead Authors

Teresa L. Alleman and Robert L. McCormick, 

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Contributing Authors

Earl D. Christensen, Gina Fioroni, and Kristi Moriarty, 

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Janet Yanowitz, EcoEngineering
IV • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Contents

Introduction .

Biodiesel Basics .

What is Biodiesel? .

How is Biodiesel Different than Renewable Diesel? .

Benefits of Biodiesel Use .

Other Biodiesel Attributes .

Lower Energy Density .

Low-Temperature Operability .

Stability in Extended Storage .

Biodiesel (B100) .

B100 Quality Specification .

Variation in Biodiesel Properties . 

Energy Content . 

Low-Temperature Properties . 

Cetane Number . 

Transport and Storage . 

Stability . 

Microbial Contamination . 

Cleaning Effect . 

Materials Compatibility . 

Transport . 

Use of B100 and High Blend Levels . 

Biodiesel Blends . 

Specifications . 

B5 and Lower Blends . 

B6 to B20 Blends . 

Pump Labeling . 

Low-Temperature Properties . 

Lubricity . 

Blending, Storage, and Transport . 

Blending . 

Stability . 

Cleaning Effect . 

Materials Compatibility . 
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • V 

Contents (continued)

Refueling Infrastructure . 

Codes and Regulations . 

UL Listing . 

Retail and Fleet Station Equipment . 

Purchasing Biodiesel . 

Viscosity as a Function of Temperature . 

Viscosity of Various Biodiesel Blends as a Function of Temperature . 

BQ-9000 Program for Supply Chain Management . 

Engine and Vehicle Manufacturer Approvals . 

Taxes and Incentives . 

Safety, Health, and Environmental Issues . 

Signs, Labels, and Stickers . 

Fire Safety Considerations . 

Checklist for Installing B20 Dispensing Equipment or 

Converting Underground Storage Tanks . 

Frequently Asked Questions . 

Information Resources . 

Glossary . 

Appendix A. Sample Biodiesel Safety Data Sheet . 

Appendix B. Biodiesel Use as an EPAct Alternative Fuel . 

Appendix C. Biodiesel Materials Compatibility Summary Tables . 

Elastomers . 

Metals . 

UL Standards . 

Tank Manufacturer Compatibility . 

Underground Equipment . 

Aboveground Equipment (Dispensers, Hanging Hardware, etc.) . 

Appendix D. BQ-9000 Sample Certificate of Analysis . 
VI • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Figure 1. Basic transesterification process. 

Figure 2. Composition of various biodiesel feedstocks in order of increasing saturated fatty acid content. .

Figure 3. Cetane numbers of two petroleum diesels and several biodiesels. .

Figure 4. ASTM D4625 long-term storage stability for B100 samples having a range of initial induction periods  .

Figure 5. FTC-compliant B20 and B100 pump labels. .

Figure 6. Biodiesel/diesel blend cloud point test results. .

Figure 7. Biodiesel/diesel blend pour point test results. .

Figure 8. Adjusting cloud points of B20 fuels with blends of No. 1 and No. 2 diesel. .

Figure 9. Cold flow properties of some soy biodiesel blends, °C. .

Figure 10. HFRR lubricity as a function of biodiesel content for a No. 1 and a No. 2 diesel fuel. .

Figure 11. D4625 storage results for B5 blends made from B100 with varying levels of oxidation stability 

and two diesel fuels as measured by EN15751. .

Figure 12. D4625 storage results for B20 blends made from B100 with varying levels of oxidation stability 

as measured by EN15751. .

Figure 13. Typical fuel dispenser and underground storage piping. .

Figure 14. Dispenser and hanging hardware.. .

Figure 15. Kinematic viscosity of three biodiesels. .

Figure 16. Kinematic viscosity for a commercial biodiesel in various blends. .

Figure 17. Placards for transport of combustible and flammable liquids. .

Table 1. Biodiesel Blend Levels Requiring NOx-reducing Additives. 

Table 2. Select Properties of Typical No. 2 Diesel and Biodiesel Fuels. 

Table 3. Requirements for Biodiesel (B100) Blend Stock as Listed in ASTM D6751-15cε1. 

Table 4. Cold Flow Data for Various B100s. .

Table 5. ASTM D7467-15cε1 Specification for Diesel Blends B6 to B20. .

Table 6. Fuel Dispenser and Underground Storage Piping Components. .

Table 7. Constants for Best Fit Regression Equation. .

Table C-1. Elastomer Compatibility with Biodiesel. .

Table C-2. UL Biodiesel Testing Standards for Refueling Equipment. .

Table C-3. Tank Manufacturer Compatibility with Biodiesel Blends. .

Table C-4. Underground Equipment. .

Table C-5. Dispensers, Hanging Hardware, Shear Valves, Submersible Turbine Pumps. .

Figures

Tables
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • VII 

°C . . . . . . . . . degrees Celsius

°F . . . . . . . . . degrees Fahrenheit

AFV . . . . . . . alternative fuel vehicle

AST . . . . . . . aboveground storage tank

ASTM . . . . . . ASTM International

B100 . . . . . . 100% biodiesel

BXX . . . . . . . XX% biodiesel, 

(100 – XX)% petroleum diesel

Btu . . . . . . . . British thermal unit

Ca . . . . . . . . calcium

CARB . . . . . . California Air Resources Board

CFPP . . . . . . cold filter plugging point

CO2 . . . . . . . carbon dioxide

EPA . . . . . . . U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPAct . . . . . Energy Policy Act of 1992 

(amended in 1998)

FAME . . . . . . fatty acid methyl esters

g . . . . . . . . . gram

HFRR . . . . . . high-frequency reciprocating rig 

K . . . . . . . . . potassium

kg . . . . . . . . kilogram

LTFT . . . . . . low-temperature flow test

mass % . . . . percent by mass

Mg . . . . . . . . magnesium

Abbreviations and Acronyms

mg . . . . . . . . milligram

mg KOH/g . . milligrams of potassium hydroxide 

per gram

mm2/s . . . . . square millimeter per second 

Na . . . . . . . . sodium

NBB . . . . . . . National Biodiesel Board

NOx . . . . . . . nitrogen oxides

NREL . . . . . . National Renewable Energy Laboratory

NTDE . . . . . . new technology diesel engine

OEM . . . . . . . original equipment manufacturer

OSHA . . . . . Occupational Safety and Health 

Administration

PM . . . . . . . . particulate matter

ppm . . . . . . . parts per million

RDxx . . . . . . XX% renewable diesel, 

(100 – XX)% petroleum diesel

RFS . . . . . . . Renewable Fuels Standard

SDS . . . . . . . safety data sheet

SMG . . . . . . . saturated monoglycerides

UL . . . . . . . . UL LLC (formerly Underwriters 

Laboratories)

UST . . . . . . . underground storage tank

vol % . . . . . . percent by volume

Wayne . . . . Wayne Fueling Systems LLC 

wt % . . . . . . percent by weight
VIII • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 1 

This document is a guide for those who blend, distribute, and use biodiesel and biodiesel blends. It provides 

basic information on the proper and safe use of biodiesel and biodiesel blends in engines and boilers, and 

is intended to help fleets, individual users, blenders, 

distributors, and those involved in related activities 

understand procedures for handling and using 

biodiesel fuels. 

Biodiesel is manufactured from plant oils, animal fats, 

and recycled cooking oils and has several advantages. 

Biodiesel:

• Is renewable 

• Displaces petroleum-derived diesel fuel

• Can be used in most diesel equipment with 

no or only minor modifications

• Can reduce global warming greenhouse gas 

emissions

• Is compatible with new technology diesel engines 

(NTDE) and emissions control devices

• Can reduce tailpipe emissions from older 

vehicles, including air toxics

• Is nontoxic, biodegradable, and suitable for 

sensitive environments

• Is produced domestically from agricultural or 

recycled resources.

In this report, biodiesel refers to the fuel produced 

from renewable sources that meets ASTM International 

(ASTM) Standard D6751-15cε1 (the latest standard for 

biodiesel used as a blendstock). A number following the 

letter “B” indicates the percent by volume (vol%) of biodiesel in a gallon of fuel; the remainder of the gallon can 

be No. 1 or No. 2 diesel, kerosene, Jet A, JP8, heating 

oil, or any other distillate fuel. Pure (or neat) biodiesel is 

also known as B100. 

Biodiesel is most commonly used as a blend with petroleum diesel. At concentrations of up to 5 vol% (B5) in 

conventional diesel fuel, the mixture will meet ASTM 

D975 diesel fuel specification and can be used in any 

application as if it were neat petroleum diesel; for home 

Introduction

heating oil, B5 will meet the ASTM D396 home heating 

oil specification.1 At concentrations of 6% to 20% (B6 to 

B20), biodiesel blends can be used in many applications 

that use diesel fuel with minor or no modifications to the 

equipment, although not all engine manufacturers have 

approved these blends for use in their equipment. B6 to 

B20 blends are covered by ASTM Specification D7467-

15cε1. Biodiesel can even be used as a fuel in its neat 

form (B100) if proper precautions are taken. Appendix 

A shows a sample Safety Data Sheet for biodiesel. 

Commonly used blends are limited to B20 in the United 

States because this level provides a good balance 

between material compatibility, cold weather operability, performance, and emission benefits, as studied. 

B20 is also the minimum blend level allowed for compliance with the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), which 

requires the use of renewable fuels and/or alternative 

fuel vehicles (AFVs) by certain covered fleets. EquipASTM International (astm.org) is a consensusbased volunteer standards group that comprises 

experts across numerous industries. Committee D02, Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and 

Lubricants, covers biodiesel, diesel, and heating 

oil specifications (in addition to many other products). Membership in D02 includes engine and 

fuel injection equipment companies, fuel producers, and fuel users. ASTM standards are recognized in the United States by most government 

entities. Specifications are living documents and 

may be updated frequently to reflect the most 

current needs of the industry. Any ASTM method 

or specification will include a number and a year, 

such as D6751-15cε1. This means the most current 

version of the method was published in 2015; 

a letter after the year indicates that more than 

one modification has been published in a given 

year. It is up to users to ensure they are using 

the most up-to-date version of a test method 

or specification.

 1. The ASTM standard for B100 to be used as a blend stock is D6751. Diesel fuel is defined in ASTM D975. ASTM D396 defines heating oils. 

A-A-59693A defines B20 for military use.
2 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

ment that can use B20 includes diesel engines, fuel oil 

and heating oil boilers, and turbines. 

Higher blend levels such as B50, and B100 require 

special handling and may require equipment modifications. These issues can potentially be managed with 

heaters and/or changing engine seal and gasket materials. Consult your engine or combustion equipment 

manufacturer for further information about procedures 

before using biodiesel blends higher than B20. 
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 3 

This section provides a basic overview of biodiesel. You 

can also refer to Section 9 (Frequently Asked Questions) 

for answers to general questions from your management, 

customers, or reporters. Technical details about many 

aspects of biodiesel are provided in Sections 3 to 8.

What is Biodiesel?

Biodiesel is a diesel replacement fuel for use in diesel 

engines. It is manufactured from plant oils (e.g., 

soybean oil, cottonseed oil, canola oil, corn oil); 

recycled cooking greases or oils (e.g., yellow grease); or 

animal fats (beef tallow, pork lard); and various combinations of these feedstocks. Used cooking oils are 

mostly plant based, but may also contain animal fats. 

Used cooking oils are both recycled and renewable. 

As biodiesel production and use increase, new feedstocks are being developed and may soon be introduced 

into the market. Some examples include pennycress, 

camelina, cuphea, brown grease, and various strains 

of algae. Although there is little biodiesel from these 

feedstocks currently available, there is great potential 

for these feedstocks to supplement the current 

feedstock supply. 

The biodiesel manufacturing process converts oils and 

fats into chemicals called long-chain mono alkyl esters, 

or biodiesel. These chemicals are also referred to as 

fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), and the process is 

referred to as esterification. Figure 1 provides a simplified diagram of the esterification process. Roughly 

speaking, 100 pounds of oil or fat are reacted with 10 

pounds of a short-chain alcohol (usually methanol) in 

the presence of a catalyst (usually sodium hydroxide or 

potassium hydroxide) to form 100 pounds of biodiesel 

and 10 pounds of glycerin (or glycerol). Glycerin is a 

sugar and is a co-product of the biodiesel process. 

Biodiesel is a legally registered fuel and fuel additive 

with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

The EPA registration is feedstock and process agnostic 

and includes all biodiesel that meets the ASTM biodiesel specification, ASTM D6751.2

Straight Vegetable Oil and Other Products

Raw or refined plant oils, fats, or recycled greases that 

have not been processed into biodiesel, such as straight 

vegetable oil (SVO), are not biodiesel and should be 

avoided. Research shows that plant oils, animal fats, 

and/or greases used in diesel engines, even at concentrations as low as 1%, can cause long-term engine deposits, 

ring sticking, lube oil gelling and other maintenance 

problems, and can reduce engine life. These problems 

are caused mostly by the much higher viscosity, or 

thickness, of the raw fats and/or oils (around 40 square 

millimeters per second [mm2/s]) compared to that of 

diesel fuel, for which the engines and injectors were 

designed (1.3 to 4.1 mm2/s). The significantly higher 

boiling point of raw fats and oils may also lead to failure 

of the fuel to fully evaporate, especially during cold 

start, leading to harmful engine deposits and engine oil 

sludging. Through the process of converting plant oils 

or greases to biodiesel by esterification, the viscosity 

and boiling point of the fuel are reduced to values more 

similar to conventional diesel fuel (biodiesel viscosity 

values are typically 4 to 5 mm2/s). 

Biodiesel Basics

Vegetable Oil/

Animal Fat/Waste

Crude

Biodiesel

Crude Glycerin

Biodiesel

Glycerin

Methanol

plus Catalyst Esterification

Glycerine

Refining

Methanol

Recovery

Refining

Figure 1. 

Basic Esterification Process

2. astm.org.
4 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Other products, many of which are offered to consumers without the benefit of EPA registration, ASTM specifications, or extensive testing and demonstrations, may 

be mislabeled as “biofuels,” “renewable diesel,” or even 

as “biodiesel.” It is up to the consumer to be aware of 

what they are purchasing. If you purchase methyl esters 

that do not meet ASTM biodiesel standards, it is not 

legal biodiesel and should not be used in diesel engines 

or other equipment designed to operate on diesel fuel. 

Methyl esters are used as an industrial lubricant and 

solvent in some applications, so be sure to purchase 

only ASTM D6751-grade methyl esters (biodiesel) for 

use in diesel engines. 

Specifications and Regulations

Specification D6751 is based on a compilation of efforts 

from researchers, engine manufacturers, petroleum 

companies and distributors, and many other fuelrelated entities and is intended to ensure the quality of 

biodiesel used as a blendstock at 20% (B20) and lower 

blend levels. Any biodiesel used in the United States 

for blending should meet ASTM D6751 standards. The 

ASTM standards provide a minimum level of quality for 

biodiesel regardless of the source of the fuel. Purchasers 

and sellers can require that biodiesel meet more stringent requirements in purchasing specifications. Both 

parties must agree to these more stringent requirements, 

and this is becoming an increasingly common practice. 

The ASTM D6751 definition of biodiesel states that biodiesel is composed of “mono-alkyl esters of long-chain 

fatty acids derived from plant oils or animal fats.” The 

term mono-alkyl esters indicates that biodiesel contains 

only one ester linkage in each molecule. Raw or refined 

plant oils, animal fats, and greases contain three ester 

linkages and are therefore not legally biodiesel. Biodiesel can be made from methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, and 

other alcohols. Virtually all commercial biodiesel production in the United States today is based on methyl 

esters. Some research has been conducted on ethyl 

esters (biodiesel produced with ethanol as the alcohol 

rather than methanol); however, higher ethanol prices 

relative to methanol, lower ethyl ester conversions, 

and the difficulty of recycling excess ethanol from the 

finished biodiesel have hampered ethyl ester production 

in the marketplace. Therefore, in this document we will 

consider only methyl esters. 

The definition of biodiesel recognized by both the EPA 

for fuel registration purposes and the Internal Revenue 

Service for the blender’s tax credit is essentially the 

same as the definition in ASTM D6751: 

“A fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long-chain 

fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, 

designated B100, and meeting the requirements of 

ASTM D6751.” 

EPAct requires that certain federal, state, and alternative fuel provider fleets acquire a fixed percentage (75% 

or 90%) of AFVs each year based on the total number 

of light-duty vehicles they acquire. A light-duty vehicle 

that is approved by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to operate on B100 or a biodiesel blend 

of B20 or higher qualifies as an AFV under EPAct. As 

of 2015, there are no light-duty vehicles on the market 

approved to operate on B100, but there are many that 

are approved to operate on B20. Neat biodiesel may be 

more expensive than other alternative fuel options, and 

OEMs have shown little interest in obtaining approval 

for on-road vehicles to operate on B100. 

Congress amended EPAct through the Energy Conservation Reauthorization Act of 1998. Among other 

things, the Energy Conservation Reauthorization Act 

added Section 312 to EPAct, thereby enabling covered 

federal, state, and alternative fuel provider fleets to earn 

AFV credits for their use of B20 or higher blends in 

medium- or heavy-duty vehicles (those vehicles with a 

gross vehicle weight rating of more than 8,500 pounds), 

with some limitations. This provision has created 

significant demand for B20 among government and 

alternative fuel provider fleets (Appendix B). 

How is Biodiesel Different than 

Renewable Diesel? 

Renewable diesel is a hydrocarbon diesel fuel 

produced from renewable feedstocks. Today, all 

renewable diesel on the market is, like biodiesel, produced from fats and oils. The way these fats and oils 

are reacted into fuels is the defining difference between 

biodiesel and renewable diesel. As discussed above, 

biodiesel is primarily made through esterification. 

Renewable diesel is produced by hydroprocessing of fats 

and oils. Hydroprocessing produces alkanes, which are 

chemically identical to some of the compounds found 

in conventional diesel fuel. The properties of renewable 

diesel are also different from biodiesel. Like biodiesel, 

renewable diesel has near-zero aromatic content and 

very low sulfur content. It typically has a very high 

cetane number and a cloud point more like conventional 

diesel fuels. When used as a neat fuel (RD100), RD100 

qualifies as an EPAct alternative fuel, while lower 

blends, such as RD20, do not.
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 5 

The only way to determine if diesel fuel has been 

blended with renewable diesel fuel is through carbon 

dating using ASTM D6866. In this method, the isotopic ratio of fossil to biological carbon is quantified. 

Petroleum diesel will be wholly fossil carbon, while the 

renewable diesel (or biodiesel) content will be identified 

as biogenic carbon.

Benefits of Biodiesel Use

Biodiesel Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions

When biodiesel displaces petroleum, it significantly 

reduces life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Life cycle 

analysis completed by Argonne National Laboratory 

found that greenhouse gas emissions for B100 are 74% 

lower than those from petroleum diesel. More recently, 

the California Air Resources Board (CARB) reported 

similar values for its life-cycle analysis of biodiesel from 

various sources.3

When oilseed plants grow, they take carbon dioxide 

(CO2) from the air to make the stems, roots, leaves, and 

seeds. After the oil is extracted from the oilseeds, it is 

converted into biodiesel. When the biodiesel is burned, 

CO2 and other emissions are released and returned to 

the atmosphere. On balance, most of this emitted CO2

does not add to the net CO2 concentration in the air 

because the next oilseed crop will reuse the CO2 as it 

grows. A small fraction of the emitted carbon is fossil 

derived because of fossil fuel and chemicals used in 

farming and in the biodiesel production process.

Biodiesel Reduces Tailpipe Emissions

Testing to date shows that biodiesel is fully compatible 

with the emission control catalysts and filters that 

dramatically reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions from new diesel engines 

(sometimes called NTDEs). The effects are feedstock 

neutral for biodiesel. Research is ongoing to determine 

whether the current biodiesel specification contains 

adequate protection for NTDE emission control 

catalysts and filters.

NOx emissions have been a concern with oldertechnology diesel engines and biodiesel. Some of 

these concerns about emissions have been mitigated by 

replacing older engines with newer engines. CARB has 

stated that implementation of NTDEs will eliminate 

any fuel-related NOx impacts.4,5 CARB-certified post2010 model year vehicles are considered NTDEs.

In late 2015, California set new regulations for the 

use of biodiesel in California. Blends above the concentration levels shown in Table 1 must include a NOxreducing additive. 

Exemptions from the requirements in Table 1 are made 

for the use of B20 for certain fleets that have more than 

90% light- and medium-duty vehicles or fleets with 

heavy-duty vehicles with NOx-neutral technologies and 

fleets with NTDEs. In addition, the exemption is in 

place for retail stations that serve markets where 90% of 

the fleet is light- and medium-duty vehicles or NTDEs. 

The requirement for NOx-reducing additives will sunset 

when post-2010 model year vehicles comprise 90% of 

all heavy-duty miles traveled in the state of California, 

estimated to be in 2023.6

Off-road diesel engines have long benefited from 

emissions reductions using biodiesel blends. With the 

reduction in the sulfur content of off-road diesel to the 

Table 1. Biodiesel Blend Levels 

Requiring NOx-reducing Additives

Type of B100 Time of Year Blend Level

High-saturation 

feedstock 

(cetane ≥ 56)

All year B10+

Low-saturation 

feedstock 

(cetane < 56)

Low ozone 

season – 

November 1 

to March 31

B10+

Low-saturation 

feedstock 

(cetane < 56)

High ozone 

season – April 1 

to October 31

B5+

3. California Air Resources Board, arb.ca.gov/fuels/lcfs/lcfs_

meetings/040115_pathway_ci_comparison.pdf accessed 

November 2, 2015.

4. California Air Resources Board, arb.ca.gov/fuels/diesel/

altdiesel/021314_PublicMeetingPres.pdf, February 13, 2014.

5. Lammert, M., R. McCormick, P. Sindler, and A. Williams. 2012. 

“Effect of B20 and Low Aromatic Diesel on Transit Bus NOx Emissions Over Driving Cycles with a Range of Kinetic Intensity.” SAE 

Int. J. Fuels Lubr. 5(3):1345-1359 doi:10.4271/2012-01-1984. papers.

sae.org/2012-01-1984/.

6. California Air Resources Board. 2015. Proposed Regulation on the 

Commercialization of Alternative Diesel Fuels, Staff Report: Initial 

Statement of Reasons for Proposed Rulemaking.
6 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

same ultra-low levels as on-road diesel, more and more 

off-road equipment is using emission control equipment. Similar to on-road engines, biodiesel is fully 

compatible with these advanced technologies. 

When biodiesel is used in boilers or home heating 

oil applications, NOx tends to decrease because the 

combustion process is different (open flame for boilers, 

enclosed cylinder with high-pressure spray combustion 

for engines). The NOx reduction seen with biodiesel 

blends used in boilers also appears to be independent 

of the type of biodiesel used. In blends with heating 

oil up to B20, NOx is reduced linearly with increasing 

biodiesel content. For every 1% biodiesel added, NOx

decreases by 1%. A B20 heating oil fuel will reduce NOx

by about 20%.7,8 The sulfur content of heating oil is 

steadily being reduced to the same levels found in onand off-road diesel fuel. Requirements for reductions 

have already been enacted in New York and Connecticut, with the rest of New England following suit in 

coming years.9

Biodiesel and Human Health

An active research area is the impact of biodiesel and 

its blends on human health. PM and hydrocarbon 

emissions from diesel engines may be toxic and/or 

carcinogenic. There is a wide range of literature available on this subject (see for example10, 11, 12). In 2011, the 

U.S. Department of Labor Mining Safety and Health 

Administration implemented rules for underground 

mines that limit worker exposure to diesel PM. The 

Mining Safety and Health Administration found that 

switching from petroleum diesel fuels to high blend 

levels of biodiesel (B50 to B100) significantly reduced 

PM emissions from underground diesel vehicles and 

substantially reduced worker exposure. However, even 

low concentrations of biodiesel reduce PM emissions 

and provide significant health and compliance benefits 

wherever humans receive higher levels of exposure to 

diesel exhaust.

Biodiesel Improves Engine Operation

Biodiesel, even in very low concentrations, improves 

fuel lubricity and increases the cetane number of the 

fuel. Diesel engines depend on the lubricity of the fuel 

to keep moving parts, especially fuel pumps and injectors, from wearing prematurely. To address the reduced 

natural lubricity of ultra-low sulfur diesel, Specification ASTM D975 for diesel fuel was modified to add a 

lubricity requirement (a maximum wear scar diameter 

on the high-frequency reciprocating rig [HFRR] test of 

520 microns). Biodiesel can impart adequate lubricity to 

diesel fuels with poor natural lubricity at blend levels as 

low as 1%. 

Biodiesel Is Easy to Use

Finally, one of the biggest benefits to using biodiesel is 

that it is easy to use. Blends of B20 or lower require no 

new equipment or equipment modifications. B20 can be 

stored in diesel fuel tanks and pumped with the same 

equipment as diesel fuel. B20 does present a few unique 

handling and use precautions, but most users can expect 

a trouble-free B20 experience. 

7. Krishna, C.R. 2003. Biodiesel Blends in Space Heating Equipment: January 1, 2001 – September 28, 2001, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO. NREL/SR-510-33579. nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/33579.pdf.

8. Batey, J.E. 2002. Interim report of test results, Massachusetts Oilheat Council Biodiesel Project. 

9. U.S. Energy Information Adminstration. 2013. “Heating Oil Futures Contract Now Uses Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel.” eia.gov/todayinenergy/

detail.cfm?id=11211.

10. Steiner, Sandro, Jan Czerwinski, Pierre Comte, Olga Popovicheva, Elena Kireeva, Loretta Müller, Norbert Heeb, Andreas Mayer, Alke Fink, and 

Barbara Rothen-Rutishauser. 2013. “Comparison of the Toxicity of Diesel Exhaust Produced by Bio- and Fossil Diesel Combustion in Human 

Lung Cells in Vitro.” Atmospheric Environment 81:380-388. dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2013.08.059.

11. Bass, Virginia L., Mette C. Schladweiler, Abraham Nyska, Ronald F. Thomas, Desinia B. Miller, Todd Krantz, Charly King, M. Ian Gilmour, Allen D. 

Ledbetter, Judy E. Richards, and Urmila P. Kodavanti. 2015. “Comparative Cardiopulmonary Toxicity of Exhausts from Soy-Based Biofuels and 

Diesel in Healthy and Hypertensive Rats.” Inhalation Toxicity 27(11):545-556. dx.doi.org/10.3109/08958378.2015.1060279.

12. Shvedova, Anna A., Naveena Yanamala, Ashley R. Murray, Elena R. Kisin, Timur Khaliullin, Meghan K. Hatfield, Alexey V. Tkach, Q. T. Krantz, 

David Nash, Charly King, M. Ian Gilmour, and Stephen H. Gavett. 2013. “Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Biomarkers, and Toxicity in Mouse Lung 

and Liver after Inhalation Exposure to 100% Biodiesel or Petroleum Diesel Emissions.” Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A

76(15):907-921. dx.doi.org/10.1080/15287394.2013.825217.
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 7 

Other Biodiesel Attributes

Lower Energy Density 

Neat biodiesel contains about 8% less energy per gallon 

than typical No. 2 diesel in the United States, or 12.5% 

less energy per pound. The difference between these two 

measurements is due to the higher density of biodiesel 

compared to diesel fuel. All biodiesel, regardless of its 

feedstock, provides about the same amount of energy 

per gallon or per pound. The energy content of petroleum diesel fuel typically varies more widely than that 

of biodiesel. However, some reference values are: 

Btu/lb. Btu/gal

Typical Diesel No. 2 18,238 129,488

Typical biodiesel (B100) 16,377 119,550

*Btu = British thermal unit

The difference in energy content between petroleum 

diesel fuel and biodiesel can be noticeable with B100. 

For B20, the differences in power, torque, and fuel 

economy are 1% to 2%, depending on the base petroleum diesel fuel. Most users report little difference in 

fuel economy between B20 and No. 2 diesel fuel. Any 

differences between B20 and No. 2 diesel fuel are about 

the same as would be expected between summer and 

winter diesel. As the biodiesel blend level is lowered, differences in energy content become proportionally less 

significant: blends of B5 or lower cause no noticeable 

differences in performance compared to No. 2 diesel.

Low-Temperature Operability

In many areas of the country, the cold flow properties 

of biodiesel are important. Unlike gasoline, petroleum diesel and biodiesel may freeze or gel at common 

winter temperatures; however, biodiesel’s cloud point 

(the temperature at which crystals begin to form) can 

be significantly higher than that of petroleum diesel. If 

the fuel begins to gel, it can clog filters and eventually 

become so thick that it cannot be pumped from the fuel 

tank to the engine. However, with proper blending and 

handling, B20 has been used successfully all year in the 

coldest U.S. climates. 

Soy biodiesel, for example, has a cloud point of 0°C 

(32°F). In contrast, different petroleum diesels have 

a wide range of cloud points. Petroleum diesel cloud 

points can be as low as -45°C (-49°F) or can be higher, 

such as -7°C (19°F), depending on time of year and 

region of the country. Blending of biodiesel can raise 

the cloud point above that of the original diesel fuel, 

depending on the starting cloud point of the diesel 

fuel. For example, a recent study13 showed that when 

soy biodiesel was blended into a specially formulated 

cold weather diesel fuel (cloud point of -38°C [-36°F]) 

to make a B20 blend, the cloud point of that blend was 

-20°C (-4°F). In very cold climates, this cloud point 

may not be adequate for wintertime use. To accommodate biodiesel in cold climates, low-cloud point petroleum diesel or low-temperature flow additives, or both, 

are necessary. Another option is to reduce the percentage of biodiesel in the blend. Generally speaking, 

with the same biodiesel and diesel fuel, a B10 will have 

better cold weather operability properties than a B20. 

Stability in Extended Storage

Although biodiesel blends have adequate storage 

stability for normal use, special precautions must be 

taken if they are to be stored for extended periods. This 

might occur in seasonal equipment, like a snow plow 

or farming equipment, or in the fuel tank of a backup 

generator. If the fuel will be stored for more than a 

few months, a stability additive is recommended, and 

oxidation stability should be measured monthly.

Finally, biodiesel is generally more susceptible than 

petroleum diesel to microbial degradation. In the case 

of spills in the environment, this is a positive attribute 

because it biodegrades more rapidly. However, microbial 

contamination of fuel storage tanks can plug dispensers 

and vehicle fuel filters and cause vehicles to stall. This 

is not unheard of for petroleum diesel, but anecdotal 

evidence suggests it is a greater problem for biodiesel 

blends. The best way to deal with this issue (for both 

petroleum diesel and biodiesel) is adequate fuel storage 

tank housekeeping and monitoring, especially minimizing water in contact with the fuel. Water bottoms must 

be removed from tanks, and standing tanks should be 

sampled and tested for microbial contamination.

13. Coordinating Research Council. 2006. Biodiesel Blend Low-Temperature Performance Validation. crcao.com/reports/recentstudies2008/

DP-2a-07/CRC%20650.pdf.
8 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

This section describes the basic considerations for 

handling and blending B100. In the United States, it is 

equally common to handle B99 and B99.9 blends. The 

considerations in this section also apply to B99 and 

B99.9, as these fuel blends often qualify for a tax credit 

for biodiesel blending. At the time of this writing (2016), 

a tax credit for blending biodiesel is available through 

2016. The storage and handling procedures for B100 are 

very different than for B20 and lower biodiesel blends 

and vary significantly from those for diesel fuel. Table 

2 lists some of the physical and chemical properties of 

B100 and petroleum diesel. Using B20 and lower blends 

significantly reduces or eliminates the effects of these 

property differences for use as an engine fuel. However, 

because many distributors store and handle B100 before 

blending, a good understanding of B100 properties is 

valuable. Several significant attributes specific to B100 

that should be considered when handling, storing, and 

using it are described below.

• B100 is a good solvent. It may loosen or dissolve 

varnish and sediments in fuel tanks and fueling 

systems left by conventional diesel over time. If 

a system contains sediments, the tanks and fuel 

system should be cleaned before B100 is handled or 

used. A good indication that B100 is cleaning the 

tank is an initial increase in filter plugging. Over 

time, filter change intervals should return to normal. 

This should not be an issue for B20 or lower blends.

• B100 gels at higher temperatures than most 

diesel fuel. This must be taken into account if 

handling or using B100, especially in aboveground 

storage tanks (ASTs). The temperature where B100 

starts to gel will vary with the feedstock and can 

range from 0°C to 15°C (32°F to 60°F) or higher, so 

heated fuel lines and tanks may be needed during 

winter, even in moderate climates. As B100 begins 

to gel, the viscosity rises to much higher levels than 

most diesel fuel, which can increase the stress on 

Biodiesel (B100)

Table 2. Select Properties of Typical No. 2 Diesel and Biodiesel Fuels

Fuel Property Diesel Biodiesel, No. 1-B grade

Fuel standard ASTM D975 ASTM D6751

Higher heating value, Btu/gal

Lower heating value, Btu/gal

~138,490 

~129,488

~127,960

~119,550

Kinematic viscosity, @ 40°C (104°F) 1.3 – 4.1 4.0 – 6.0

Specific gravity @ 15.5°C (60°F) 0.85 0.88

Density, lb/gal @ 15.5°C (60°F) 7.1 7.3

Carbon, wt % 87 77

Hydrogen, wt % 13 12

Oxygen, by dif. wt % 0 11

Sulfur, wt % (parts per million [ppm]) 0.0015 max. (15 ppm max.) 0.0 – 0.0015 (0 – 15 ppm)

Boiling point, °C (°F) 180 – 340 (356 – 644) 315 – 350 (599 – 662)

Flash point, °C (°F) 60 – 80 (140 – 176) 100 – 170 (212 – 338)

Cloud point, °C (°F) -35 – 5 (-31 – 41) -3 – 15 (26 – 59)

Pour point, °C (°F) -35 – -15 (-31 to 5) -5 – 10 (23 – 50)

Cetane number 40 – 55 47 – 65
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 9 

pumps. The high cloud point of B100 makes its use 

challenging in colder climates.

• B100 is not compatible with some hoses and 

gaskets. B100 may soften and degrade certain types 

of rubber compounds used for hoses and gaskets 

(buna-N, nitrile, natural rubber) and may cause 

them to leak and degrade to the point where they 

crumble and become useless. For bulk handling of 

B100, seals, gaskets, and hoses must be compatible 

with B100. (See Appendix C for information about 

material compatibility.) Using B100 in an engine 

constructed with incompatible materials can cause 

a fuel spill on a hot engine, ruin a fuel pump, or 

clog a filter as the hose material gradually erodes. 

Use extreme care to ensure that any part of the 

fuel system that touches the fuel is compatible with 

B100. Some systems may employ certain grades of 

Viton, which are biodiesel-resistant materials, but 

many do not, because these materials are usually 

slightly more expensive. 

• B100 is not compatible with some metals and 

plastics. Biodiesel will degrade and form high sediment levels if contacted for long periods by copper 

or copper-containing metals (brass, bronze) or 

with lead, tin, or zinc (galvanized surfaces). These 

high sediment levels may clog filters. B100 may also 

permeate some common plastics (polyethylene, 

polypropylene) over time, so these should not be 

used for storing B100. 

B100 Quality Specification

The specification for biodiesel (B100) is frequently 

updated, and as of this writing the most current version 

is D6751-15cε1, summarized in Table 3. For the most 

up-to-date version of the specification, check the ASTM 

website (astm.org). 

In 2012, a new grade of B100 was added to the D6751 

specification. This new grade is referred to as the No. 

1-B grade and is a special-purpose grade of biodiesel 

meeting more stringent purity requirements intended 

to provide better low-temperature performance. Most 

biodiesel produced at the time of publication is No. 1-B 

grade. This grade may be required in certain applications, but it is up to the customer to select the proper 

grade of biodiesel for their application. 

Specification D6751 is intended to ensure the quality 

of biodiesel to be used as a blend stock in middle distillates, like diesel fuel and heating oil, at 20% and lower 

levels. Any biodiesel used in the United States should 

meet ASTM D6751 before blending. ASTM D6751 is 

based on the physical and chemical properties needed 

for safe and satisfactory diesel engine and boiler operations. It is not based on the specific raw materials or the 

manufacturing process used to produce the biodiesel. 

The finished blend stock must meet the properties 

specified in Table 3 as well as the following definition 

from D6751:

Table 3. Requirements for Biodiesel (B100) Blend Stock as Listed in ASTM D6751-15cε1

Property Test 

Method

Grade No. 

1-B, S15

Grade No. 

1-B, S500

Grade No. 

2-B, S15

Grade No. 

2-B, S500

Sulfur, % mass (ppm), max D5453 0.0015 (15) 0.05 (500) 0.0015 (15) 0.050 (500)

Cold soak filterability, s, max D7501 200 200 360 360

Monoglycerides, % mass, max D6584 0.40 0.40 – –

Requirements for All Grades

Calcium and magnesium, 

combined, ppm, max EN14538 5

Flash point (closed cup), °C, min D93 93

Alcohol Control 

One of the following shall be met:

1. Methanol Content, mass %, max

2. Flash Point, °C, min

EN14110

D93

0.2

130

Table 3 continued on next page
10 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

“Biodiesel, noun, a fuel comprised of mono-alkyl 

esters of long chain fatty acids derived from 

vegetable oils or animal fats, designated B100.”

This specification was never intended to be applied to 

B100 to be used as a neat fuel. However, buyers and 

sellers are encouraged to use ASTM D6751 for the commercial trading of biodiesel (B100) for blending. Other 

arrangements or specifications can be legally used if 

the buyer and seller agree as long as they meet pertinent local, state, and federal regulations (EPA sulfur 

limits, Occupational Safety and Health Administration 

[OSHA] safety limits on flash point, etc.). However, 

B100 must meet the requirements of D6751 for blends 

to be legal fuels under the Clean Air Act fuel registration requirements and to be a legal blending component 

under many state regulations.

The intent of each quality requirement in Table 3 is 

described here:

• High levels of Group I and II metals. Sodium (Na), 

potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) 

can cause deposits to form, catalyze undesired 

side reactions, and poison emission control equipment. The Group I and II metals are limited as the 

combination of metals in each category, Na+K and 

Ca+Mg. The specification upper limit is 5 parts per 

million (ppm), combined, for each pair of metals. 

Research is ongoing to determine whether these 

metals limits are adequate for protection of NTDE 

emission control catalysts and filters.

• Flash point. A minimum flash point for diesel 

fuel is required for fire safety. B100’s flash point is 

required to be at least 93°C (200°F) to ensure all the 

Table 3 (cont.). Requirements for Biodiesel (B100) Blend Stock as Listed in ASTM D6751-15cε1

Property Test 

Method

Grade No. 

1-B, S15

Grade No. 

1-B, S500

Grade No. 

2-B, S15

Grade No. 

2-B, S500

Requirements for All Grades

Water and sediment, % volume, max D2709 0.050

Kinematic viscosity, mm2/s, 40°C D445 1.9 – 6.0

Sulfated ash, % mass, max D874 0.020

Copper strip corrosion, max D130 No. 3

Cetane number, min D613 47

Cloud point, °C D2500 Report

Carbon residue, % mass, max D4530 0.050

Acid number, mg KOH/g, max D664 0.50

Free glycerin, % mass, max D6584 0.020

Total glycerin, %mass, max D6584 0.240

Phosphorus content, % mass, max D4951 0.001

Distillation temperature, 90% recovered, °C, max D1160 360

Sodium and potassium, combined, 

ppm, max

EN14538 5

Oxidation stability, hr, min EN15751 3

Note: Reprinted with permission of ASTM.
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 11 

alcohol from production is removed; it is classified 

as nonhazardous under the National Fire Protection Association code. 

• Alcohol. It is critical to ensure that the manufacturer has removed excess alcohol (typically methanol) used in the manufacturing process. Residual 

methanol in the fuel is a safety issue, because even 

very small amounts dramatically reduce the flash 

point, can affect fuel pumps, seals, and elastomers, 

and can result in poor engine combustion properties. The intent of the alcohol control requirement 

is to limit volatile alcohols to less than 0.2 percent 

by weight (wt %). This can be accomplished by 

meeting a higher flash point requirement of 130°C 

(266°F) or by measuring methanol content by gas 

chromatography.

• Water and sediment. This refers to free water droplets and sediment particles suspended in the B100. 

The allowable level for B100 is set at the same level 

as for conventional diesel fuel. Poor drying techniques during manufacturing or contact with excessive water during transport or storage can cause 

B100 to be out of specification for water content. 

Excess water can lead to corrosion and provides an 

environment for microorganisms. Fuel oxidation 

can also raise sediment levels, so this test can be 

used in conjunction with acid number, oxidation 

stability, and viscosity to determine if fuels have 

oxidized too much during storage.

• Viscosity. A minimum viscosity is required for 

some engines because of the potential for power 

loss caused by injection pump and injector leakage. 

This is not an issue for B100, and the minimum 

is set at the same level as for petroleum diesel. 

The maximum viscosity is limited by the design 

of engine fuel injection systems. Higher viscosity 

fuels can cause poor fuel combustion that leads to 

deposit formation as well as higher in-cylinder penetration of the fuel spray, which can result in elevated engine oil dilution with fuel. The maximum 

allowable viscosity in ASTM D975 for No. 2 diesel 

is 4.1 mm2/s at 40°C (104°F). ASTM D6751 allows 

for slightly higher viscosity than D975, primarily because the normal viscosity of B100 is slightly 

higher than that of diesel fuel. Biodiesel blends of 

20 vol% or lower should have viscosities between 1.9 

and 4.1 mm2/s, within the range allowed by D975.

• Sulfated ash. This test measures the amount of 

residual alkali catalyst in the biodiesel as well as 

any other ash-forming compounds that could contribute to injector deposits or fuel system fouling. 

• Sulfur. This is limited to 15 ppm to reduce sulfate 

and sulfuric acid pollutant emissions and to protect 

exhaust catalyst systems on NTDEs. Biodiesel 

generally contains less than 15 ppm sulfur. The test 

for sulfur in fuel (ASTM D5453) should be used 

for accurate results instead of D2622, which will 

provide falsely high results caused by test interference with the oxygen in the biodiesel.

• Copper strip corrosion. This test is used to indicate 

potential difficulties with copper and bronze fuel 

system components. The requirements for B100 

and conventional diesel are identical, and biodiesel 

meeting other D6751 specifications always passes 

this test. Copper and bronze may not corrode in the 

presence of biodiesel, but prolonged contact with 

these catalysts can degrade the fuel and cause sediment to form. 

• Cetane number. An adequate cetane number is 

required for good engine performance. Conventional diesel must have a cetane number of at least 

40 in the United States. Higher cetane numbers help 

ensure good cold start properties and minimize the 

formation of white smoke. The ASTM minimum 

limit for B100 cetane number is set at 47 because 

this is the level identified for “Premium Diesel 

Fuel” by the National Conference of Weights and 

Measures. Also, a 47 cetane number has been the 

lowest cetane number found in U.S. biodiesel, from 

a wide array of diverse feedstocks. The cetane index 

(ASTM D976) is not an accurate predictor of cetane 

number for biodiesel or biodiesel blends because it 

is based on a calculation that uses specific gravity 

and distillation curve, both of which are different 

for biodiesel than for petroleum diesel. 

• Cloud point is the most commonly used measure 

of low-temperature operability. Fuels are generally 

expected to operate at temperatures as low as their 

cloud point. The cloud point of B100 is typically 

higher than the cloud point of conventional diesel 

fuel. Cloud point must be reported for biodiesel. 

Low-temperature properties and strategies for 

ensuring good low-temperature performance of 

biodiesel blends are discussed in more detail in 

later sections.

• Carbon residue measures the carbon-depositing 

tendency of a fuel and is an approximation of the 

tendency for carbon deposits to form in an engine. 

For conventional diesel fuel, the carbon residue is 

measured on the 10% distillation residue. Because 

B100 boils entirely at the high end of the diesel fuel 

range and in a very narrow temperature range, it is 
12 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

difficult to leave only a 10% residue when distilling 

biodiesel. So biodiesel carbon residue specifies that 

the entire biodiesel sample be used rather than the 

10% distilled residue. 

• Acid number for biodiesel is primarily an indicator 

of free fatty acids (natural degradation products 

of fats and oils or a component of some biodiesel 

feedstocks) and can be elevated if a fuel is not 

properly manufactured or has undergone oxidative 

degradation. Acid numbers higher than 0.50 milligram potassium hydroxide per gram (mg KOH/g) 

have been associated with fuel system deposits and 

reduced life of fuel pumps and filters.

• Free and total glycerin numbers measures the 

amount of unconverted or partially converted fats/

oils and by-product glycerin in the B100. Incomplete conversion of the fats and oils into biodiesel 

can lead to high total glycerin from elevated mono-, 

di-, and tri-glycerides. Incomplete removal of 

glycerin can lead to high free and total glycerin. If 

the glycerides are too high, the storage tank, fuel 

system, and engine can be contaminated. Fuels 

that exceed these limits are highly likely to plug 

dispenser and/or vehicle filters and cause other 

problems. One of the major shortcomings of the 

D6584 gas chromatograph method is its sensitivity 

to diesel fuel. Diesel fuel components overwhelm 

the column used in the gas chromatograph, making 

accurate determination of glycerin and glycerides difficult or impossible, and may damage the 

column. Thus, many laboratories are unable to 

determine free and total glycerin by this method in 

samples with even small amounts of diesel fuel.

• Phosphorus content is limited to 10 ppm maximum 

in biodiesel because it can damage emission control 

systems. Phosphorus above 10 ppm can be present 

in some plant oils and recycled greases. At this 

time, biodiesel produced in the United States generally has phosphorus levels of about 1 ppm.

• The T90 distillation is the temperature where 90% 

of the fuel has distilled. The specification was 

incorporated to ensure that fuels have not been 

contaminated with high boiling materials such 

as used motor oil or triglycerides. B100 exhibits a 

boiling point rather than a distillation curve. The 

fatty acids from which biodiesel are produced are 

mainly straight chains with 16 to 18 carbons that 

have similar boiling point temperatures. The atmospheric boiling point range of biodiesel is generally 

330°C to 357°C (626°F to 675°F). 

• Oxidation stability. Biodiesel can oxidize during 

storage and handling, leading to the formation of 

peroxides, acids, gums, and deposits. The minimum 

oxidation stability requirement is intended to ensure 

the storage stability of B100 and biodiesel blends in 

clean tanks.

• Cold soak filterability was added in 2008 in 

response to data indicating that some B100 could, 

in blends with petroleum diesel of up to 20%, form 

precipitates above the cloud point. B100 meeting the 

cold soak filterability requirements does not form 

these precipitates. This, along with cloud point, is 

needed to predict low-temperature operability. 

• No. 1-B grade. The No. 1-B grade has year-round 

limits on cold soak filterability and monoglycerides. These limits ensure that trace components 

in biodiesel are minimized, while not requiring 

the measurement of many different compounds 

that may or may not be present in biodiesel. In 

particular, the limit on monoglycerides limits the 

saturated monoglyceride (SMG) content of the 

biodiesel. The percent of SMG in a B100 will be 

determined by the percent of saturated FAME. 

For example, if a B100 is 30% saturated FAME, 

the monoglyceride in the B100 will contain 

approximately 30% SMG. 

Specification D6751 also includes the following workmanship statement: 

“The biodiesel fuel shall be visually free of undissolved 

water, sediment, and suspended matter.” 

Variation in Biodiesel Properties

As with petroleum-based fuels, the ASTM specification 

for biodiesel allows for a variety of feedstocks and processes to be used in its production. In today’s market, 

biodiesel is most commonly a blend of B100 from two or 

more feedstocks. Many producers use feedstocks from 

a variety of sources to obtain B100 with desired properties and to improve production economics. 

The specification prescribes a largely feedstock-neutral, 

performance-based set of requirements that ensure the 

B100 is fit to be used in diesel engines. Biodiesel can be 

produced commercially from a variety of oils and fats:

• Animal fats. Tallows, lard, choice white grease, 

yellow grease, poultry fats, and fish oils
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 13 

• Plant oils. Soy, corn, canola, sunflower, rapeseed, 

cottonseed, corn 

• Recycled greases. Used cooking oils and restaurant frying oils.

Biodiesel can also be made from other oils, fats, and 

recycled oils such as mustard, palm, coconut, peanut, 

olive, sesame, and safflower oils, trap greases, and 

even oils produced from algae, fungi, bacteria, molds, 

and yeast. Some properties of finished biodiesel such 

as cetane number, cloud point, and stability depend 

heavily on the feedstock. 

Compared to the chemistry of diesel fuel, which contains hundreds of compounds, the chemistries of different fats and oils typically used for biodiesel are very 

similar. Each fat or oil molecule is made up of a glycerin backbone of three carbons, and on each carbon is 

attached a long-chain fatty acid that reacts with methanol to make the methyl ester, or biodiesel. The glycerin 

backbone is turned into glycerin and sold as a coproduct of biodiesel manufacturing. Currently, the fats 

and oils used to make commercial biodiesel contain 10 

common types of fatty acids that have 12 to 22 carbons, 

more than 90% of which are 16 to 18 carbons. Some of 

these chains are saturated, some are monounsaturated, 

and others are polyunsaturated. Within the limits of 

the specifications, the differing levels of saturation can 

affect some biodiesel fuel properties. 

Each feedstock is set apart from the others because it 

is made of different proportions of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (Figure 2). 

In general, saturated FAME have high cetane numbers 

and cloud points and are more stable. As unsaturation 

increases (i.e., the number of double bonds increases), 

the cetane number and cloud point decrease, as does 

the natural stability of the FAME. The cetane number 

and stability are easily treated with conventional additives, while the cloud point is more difficult to treat. 

The length of the fatty acids also has an impact on the 

biodiesel properties. For example, coconut methyl esters 

are highly saturated, and the shorter chain length results 

in a cloud point of -5°C. While it is useful to understand 

the relationship between saturation and biodiesel properties, users are encouraged to base purchase decisions on 

measured fuel properties.

As with conventional diesel fuel, the best type of biodiesel 

for your applications will be based on several factors. 

A No. 2 petroleum diesel fuel with a cetane number of 

50 and a cloud point of -3°C (26°F) may be suitable for 

December in Texas, but a No. 1 petroleum diesel with a 

cetane number of 42 and a cloud point of -29°C (-20°F) 

may be best for December in Minnesota. The considerations and tradeoffs for biodiesel use are like those made 

for petroleum diesel fuel. The following data provide 

more detail about B100 properties and considerations.

Canola

Saower

Sunflower

Corn

Olive

Soybean

Peanut

Cottonseed

Yellow Grease

Lard

Beef Tallow

Palm

Coconut

0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Saturated Monounsaturated Polyunsaturated

Figure 2. Composition of various biodiesel feedstocks in order of increasing saturated fatty acid content
14 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Energy Content

With conventional diesel fuels, the inherent energy 

content of the fuel is the largest factor affecting the fuel 

economy, torque, and horsepower delivered by the fuel. 

The energy content of conventional diesel can vary up 

to 15% from supplier to supplier and from summer to 

winter. This variability is due to changes in its composition that are determined by the petroleum feedstock, 

as well as refining and blending practices to produce 

finished diesel fuels. No. 2 diesel fuel usually has higher 

energy content than No. 1 diesel fuel, with blend values 

somewhere in between. 

With B100, the refining (esterification or transesterification) process and blending of B100 from different 

feedstocks has no significant effect on energy content. 

The energy content of B100 varies little because the 

energy content of the fats and oils used in biodiesel 

production is highly similar. Therefore, B100 made from 

most of the common feedstocks will have the same fuel 

economy, power, and torque when burned in an engine. 

Compared to most No. 2 diesel fuel in the United 

States, B100 has a slightly lower energy content (12.5% 

per pound or 8% per gallon). Typical No. 2 diesel fuel 

has an energy content of around 18,200 Btu/lb. Losses 

in power, torque, and fuel economy would be expected 

to be proportional to the difference in energy content, 

although any differences may be too small to notice. 

The energy content of biodiesel blends and diesel fuel 

is proportional to the amount of biodiesel in the blend 

and the heating value of the biodiesel and diesel fuel 

used to make the blend. For example, B20 users experience a nearly 1% loss in fuel economy on average, which 

may not be noticeable to the driver, and rarely report 

changes in torque or power.

Low-Temperature Properties

The low-temperature properties of biodiesel and conventional petroleum diesel are extremely important. 

Unlike gasoline, petroleum diesel and biodiesel can 

freeze or gel as the temperature drops. Different diesel 

fuel formulations are sold during the winter in many 

climates. If the fuel begins to gel, it can clog filters on 

dispensing equipment and may eventually become too 

thick to pump. B100 is commonly stored in heated 

aboveground tanks for blending in winter. Important 

low-temperature performance metrics for handling and 

blending of B100 are:

• Cloud point. The temperature at which small 

solid crystals are first visually observed as the fuel 

is systematically cooled. The crystals formed in 

B100 are not like the crystals formed in diesel fuel 

and may behave differently in the fuel. Below the 

fuel’s cloud point, these crystals might plug filters 

or could drop to the bottom of a storage tank. 

However, fuels can usually be pumped at temperatures below the cloud point.

• Pour point. The temperature at which the fuel 

contains so many agglomerated crystals it is essentially a gel and will no longer flow. Distributors and 

blenders use pour point as an indicator of whether 

the fuel can be pumped, even if it would not be suitable for use without heating or taking other steps.

These guidelines should be followed for storing biodiesel (B100) in winter:

• B100 should be stored at temperatures at least 

2.5°C to 5°C (5°F to 10°F) higher than the cloud 

point. Because the cloud point of the B100 varies, 

the storage temperature will not be the same for 

all biodiesels. 

• B100 from all but the highest cloud point feedstocks such as tallow or palm oil can be stored 

underground in most cold climates without additional considerations because underground storage 

temperatures are normally above 7°C (45°F). 

Aboveground storage and handling systems should 

be protected with insulation, agitation, heating 

systems, or other measures if temperatures regularly fall below the cloud point. This precaution 

includes piping, tanks, and pumping equipment. 

The cloud point of B100 starts around -1°C to 0°C (30°F 

to 32°F) and can go as high as 20°C (68°F) or higher for 

biodiesel from highly saturated feedstocks (see Table 4 

on next page). The pour point of B100 is usually only a 

few degrees lower than the cloud point, so once biodiesel begins to freeze, gelling can occur rapidly if the 

temperature drops only a few degrees further.

B100 tanks and fuel lines should be designed for the 

cold flow properties of the biodiesel being used and the 

local climate. Fuel pumps, lines, and dispensers must 

be protected from cold and wind chill with properly 

approved heating and insulating equipment. Fuel in 

aboveground tanks should be heated to 2.5°C to 5°C 

(5°F to 10°F) above the fuel cloud point.
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 15 

In some rare cases, as B100 gets colder, impurities like 

SMGs may precipitate out of solution. SMGs exhibit an 

interesting behavior known as polymorphism,15 where 

the crystal form changes after precipitation. When 

SMGs first precipitate out of solution, they are in a less 

stable and more soluble form. Over time, the SMG crystals can transform into a more stable and less soluble 

form. These highly stable SMG crystals are difficult to 

bring back into solution, and the B100 must be heated 

well with adequate mixing. 

Most of the time, once crystals form, they will generally 

go back into solution as the fuel warms. However, that 

process can be slow if the fuel is heated only slightly 

above the cloud point. Crystals formed in biodiesel or 

diesel fuel can drift to the bottom of the tank and begin 

to build up. Slow agitation can prevent crystals from 

building up on the tank bottom or, once present in the 

fuel, can help to bring the crystals back into liquid form. 

If B100 has gelled completely, the B100 should be heated 

to 38°C to 43°C (100°F to 110°F) to dissolve the most 

highly saturated biodiesel components if the fuel needs 

to be used immediately. Lower temperatures can be used 

if there is more time to allow the biodiesel to liquefy.

The low-temperature performance of B100 cannot be 

effectively managed with current cold flow additives, 

as can petroleum diesel and biodiesel blends. The level 

of saturated compounds in B100 is too high for most 

additives to be effective. Cold flow additives have been 

used much more successfully with biodiesel blends. You 

should work directly with the additive manufacturers on 

this issue.

Cetane Number

Cetane number is a measure of the ignition delay (the 

time from fuel injection into the combustion chamber to 

ignition); higher cetane numbers are believed to provide 

easier starting and quieter operation. ASTM D6751 for 

biodiesel requires a minimum cetane number of 47; the 

cetane number required of petroleum diesel fuel is 40. 

B100 produced from highly saturated feedstocks can 

have a cetane number of 60 or higher. Figure 3 shows 

the cetane numbers of various biodiesel samples and 

compares them to diesel cetane numbers. While it is 

interesting to know the cetane numbers of biodiesels 

from different feedstock oils, biodiesel is most commonly a blend from two or more feedstocks. Thus, 

buyers should focus on measured fuel properties rather 

than trying to determine the feedstock source.

Table 4. 

Cold Flow Data for Various B100s14

Degree of 

saturation

B100 

Cloud Point 

ASTM D2500

B100 

Pour Point 

ASTM D97

°F °C °F °C

Low 26 -3 25 -4

32 0 25 -4

Mid

46 8 43 6

56 13 55 13

61 16 59 15

High 66 19 60 16

14. Kinast, J.A. 2003. Production of Biodiesels from Multiple Feedstocks and Properties of Biodiesels and Biodiesel/Diesel Blends: Final Report;

Report 1 in a Series of 6, p. 13. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO. NREL/SR-510-31460. nrel.gov/docs/fy03osti/31460.pdf. 

15. Chupka, G.M., Yanowitz, J., Chiu, G., Alleman, T.L., and McCormick, R.L., “Effect of Saturated Monoglyceride Polymorphism on Low-Temperature Performance of Biodiesel.” Energy and Fuels, 2011 25(1), 398=405, doi: 10.1021/ef1013743.

EPA Highway Diesel

CARB Diesel

Lard

Edible Tallow

Inedible Tallow

Yellow Grease 1

Yellow Grease 2

Canola

Soy

0 10 20 30

Cetane Number

40 50 60 70

Figure 3. Cetane numbers of two petroleum diesels and 

several biodiesels
16 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Transport and Storage

Stability

Stability can refer to two issues for fuels: long-term 

storage stability or aging and stability at elevated 

temperatures and/or pressures as the fuel is recirculated 

through an engine’s fuel system. For petroleum diesel, 

long-term storage stability is commonly referred to as 

oxidative stability. Thermal stability is the common 

term for the stability of fuels at elevated fuel system 

temperatures. For B100, storage stability is the paramount concern; thus, D6751 includes an oxidation 

stability requirement. 

The oxidation stability test, EN15751 (also referred to 

as the Oil Stability Index or the Rancimat test), involves 

heating a specified quantity of B100 to 110°C (230°F) 

while air is bubbled through the sample at a controlled 

flow rate. After bubbling through the B100, the air 

bubbles through a water bath that collects volatile acids 

formed by oxidation of the biodiesel. A conductivity 

meter is used to monitor the water. A stable B100 can go 

for many hours under these conditions without forming 

volatile oxidation products. This period of time, before 

oxidation products form, is called the induction time or 

induction period. The stability requirement in D6751 

is that the B100 have a minimum three-hour induction 

time. Because this requirement applies at the time of 

blending, many biodiesel producers make B100 with 

higher induction times. 

In biodiesel, fuel aging and oxidation can lead to high 

acid numbers, high viscosity, and the formation of gums 

and sediments that clog filters. If the oxidation stability, acid number, or viscosity measurements exceed 

the limits in ASTM D6751, the B100 is degraded to the 

point where it is out of specification and should not be 

used. Biodiesel with high oxidation stability (longer 

induction time) will generally take longer than biodiesel 

with low oxidation stability to reach an out-of-specification condition. Monitoring the induction time and acid 

number of B100 over time can provide an indication of 

oxidation. B100 should be tested at receipt to ensure it is 

within specification. If the biodiesel will be stored prior 

to blending, the induction time and acid number should 

be monitored at regular intervals to ensure the biodiesel 

is not oxidizing. 

In some cases, deposits from the cleaning or solvent 

effect of B100 have been confused with gums and 

sediments that could form in storage as the B100 ages. 

Although sediment can clog a filter in either case, care 

should be taken to make sure the reason for the clogging is properly identified. For example, if oxidation 

stability and acid number are within specification, 

sediments are most likely due to the cleaning effect 

and not to aging or oxidation.

Guidelines to help identify biodiesel and storage 

conditions that will provide the highest levels of 

stability follow: 

• The higher the level of unsaturation, the more likely 

that the B100 will oxidize. Saturated fatty acid 

esters are fairly stable, and each time the level of 

unsaturation increases (for example, from monounsaturated to polyunsaturated), the stability of the 

fuel decreases exponentially. The points of unsaturation on the biodiesel molecules can react with 

oxygen, forming peroxides that break down into 

acids, sediments, and gums. 

• Heat and sunlight will accelerate this process. 

• Certain metals such as iron, rust, copper, brass, 

bronze, lead, tin, and zinc will accelerate the 

degradation process and form even higher levels of 

sediment. B100 should not be stored in systems that 

contain these metals. 

• Some types of feedstock processing and biodiesel 

processing can remove natural antioxidants, 

potentially lessening inherent stability. Plant oils 

and fats are produced with natural antioxidants—

nature’s way of protecting the oil from degradation. 

Bleaching, deodorizing, or distilling oils and fats, 

either before or as part of the biodiesel process, can 

remove these natural antioxidants. 

• Antioxidants, whether natural or incorporated as 

additives, can significantly increase the storage life 

or stability of B100.

• Keeping oxygen from the biodiesel reduces or 

eliminates fuel oxidation and increases storage 

life. Commercially, this is done by using a nitrogen 

blanket on storage tanks or storing biodiesel in 

sealed drums or totes with minimal headspace.

The ASTM D4625 test is used to simulate storage at 

ambient temperature, roughly 21°C (70°F). The test is 

accelerated by a factor of 4 for petroleum fuels, that is, 

one week of storage at D4625 conditions (43°C or 110°F, 

open to air) simulates one month of storage at 21°C 

(70°F). This acceleration factor has not been validated 
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 17 

for B100, but it is still a useful guide. ASTM D4625 

data (see Figure 4)16 indicate that B100 will lose oxidation stability over time under these storage conditions. 

Higher initial induction period values can provide 

longer storage time before biodiesel goes out of specification. Figure 4 also shows that, as the oxidation stability is reduced to near zero, the material will oxidize 

due to a loss of “oxidation reserve.” This is evident in 

the increase in peroxide values. Acid numbers remain 

relatively constant until peroxide values become very 

high. Once sufficient peroxides have formed, the acid 

number increases rapidly due to peroxide degradation. 

Measurement of insoluble material in these B100s was 

not statistically significant during D4625 storage for 13 

weeks (simulating 1 year of storage); however, highly 

oxidized biodiesels—having acid numbers well above 

the D6751 limit of 0.5 mg KOH/g—have historically 

been shown to form insoluble materials.17

B100 should not be stored longer than four months 

unless it has been treated with synthetic antioxidants 

and has an oxidation stability of 6 hours or longer. 

Non-oxidizing storage conditions in containers with 

little head space or under a nitrogen blanket will also be 

helpful. In fact, when B100 is being stored longer than 

about two months, it should be tested for oxidation stability every two weeks. One of the best ways to stabilize 

biodiesel is to blend it with petroleum diesel.

Microbial Contamination

Biocides are recommended for fuels wherever biological growth in the fuel has been a problem. If biological 

contamination occurs, water contamination should 

be suspected and will need to be controlled because 

the aerobic fungus, bacteria, and yeast hydrocarbonutilizing microorganisms usually grow at the fuel-water 

interface. Anaerobic colonies, which usually reduce 

sulfur, can be active in sediments on tank surfaces and 

cause corrosion. Because the biocides work in the water 

phase, products that are used with diesel fuels work 

equally well with biodiesel.

Figure 4. ASTM D4625 long-term storage stability for B100 

samples having a range of initial induction periods 

20

15

10

5

0

0 2 4 6

Weeks at 43°C

Induction Period, hr

8 10 12 14 16

1.0

4.8

9.2

7.5

8.4

17.7

3.7

3.2

0.5 mg KOH/g

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0

0 2 4 6

Weeks at 43°C

Acid Number, mg KOH/g

8 10 12 14 16

4.8

9.2

7.5

8.4

17.7

3.7

3.2

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

0 2 4 6

Weeks at 43°C

Peroxide Value, mg/kg

8 10 12 14 16

16. Christensen, E., and R.L. McCormick. 2014. “Long-Term Storage 

Stability of Biodiesel and Biodiesel Blends,” Fuel Processing 

Technology 128:339–348. 

17. McCormick, R.L., and S.R. Westbrook 2010. “Storage Stability of 

Biodiesel and Biodiesel Blends.” Energy & Fuels 24(1):690–698.
18 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Corrosion can also be the result of impurities like water, 

free glycerin, free fatty acids, or the sodium or potassium used in biodiesel processing. Oxidized biodiesel 

and biodiesel blends can contain organic acids and 

other compounds that can significantly accelerate elastomer degradation. Ensuring that all biodiesel meets the 

specifications when brought on site and in storage can 

minimize corrosion risks.

If your equipment is not compatible with B100, the 

materials should be replaced with materials such as 

Teflon, Viton, fluorinated plastics, or nylon. You should 

consult B100 suppliers and equipment vendors to 

determine material compatibility, and ask B100 vendors 

in other regions what problems they may have experienced and what kind of replacement materials they are 

using. It is advisable to set up a monitoring program to 

visually inspect the equipment once a month for leaks, 

seeps, and seal decomposition. 

Transport

As with petroleum diesel, B100 must be transported in a 

way that does not lead to contamination. The following 

procedures are recommended for trucks and railcars and 

are used by distributors and transporters of diesel fuel.

• Ensure that trucks and railcars are constructed of 

aluminum, carbon steel, or stainless steel. 

• Ensure proper inspection or washout (washout 

certificate) before loading.

• Check for previous load carried and residual 

material. Generally, only diesel fuel or biodiesel is 

acceptable as a residual. If the vessel has not gone 

through a washout, some residuals, including food 

products or raw plant oils, gasoline or lubricants, 

may not be acceptable.

• Ensure there is no residual water in the tank.

• Check that hoses and seals are clean and made from 

materials that are compatible with B100.

• Determine the need for insulation or a method to 

heat truck or rail car contents if shipping during 

cold weather. B100 is challenging to ship in cold 

weather. In the winter, most B100 is shipped in one 

of the following ways:

- Hot (or at least warm) in trucks for immediate 

delivery at 27°C to 54°C (80°F to 130°F).

Cleaning Effect

Methyl esters have been used as low volatile organic 

compound cleaners and solvents for decades. Methyl 

esters make excellent parts cleaners, and several companies offer methyl esters as a low volatile organic 

compound, nontoxic replacement for the volatile 

solvents used in parts washers. B100 will dissolve the 

accumulated sediments in diesel storage and engine 

fuel tanks. These dissolved sediments can plug filters. 

If this happens, it can cause injector deposits and even 

fuel injector failure. If you plan to use or store B100 for 

the first time, clean the tanks and any parts in the fuel 

system where sediments or deposits may occur before 

filling with B100.

The level of cleaning depends on the amount of sediment in the system (if the system is free of sediment, 

there should be no effect) as well as the biodiesel blend 

level—the higher the blend level, the greater the cleaning potential. The cleaning effect is much greater with 

B100 and blends with 35% or more biodiesel, compared 

to B20 and lower blends.

Biodiesel spills should be immediately cleaned up 

because biodiesel can damage some types of body and 

engine paint. Biodiesel can also remove decals from 

tanks or vehicles near the fueling areas. All materials 

that are used to absorb biodiesel spills should be considered combustible and stored in a safety can. 

Materials Compatibility

B100 will degrade, soften, or seep through some hoses, 

gaskets, seals, elastomers, glues, and plastics with 

prolonged exposure. Nitrile rubber compounds, polypropylene, polyvinyl, and Tygon materials are particularly vulnerable to B100. Before handling or using B100, 

ask the equipment vendor or OEM if the equipment is 

suitable for B100 or biodiesel. In some cases, the vendor 

may need the chemical family name for biodiesel (the 

methyl esters of fats and oils) to look up the information or even the exact chemical name of some of the 

biodiesel components such as methyl oleate, methyl 

linoleate, methyl palmitate, or methyl stearate. Oxidized biodiesel and biodiesel blends can contain organic 

acids and other compounds that can significantly accelerate elastomer degradation. (Published data on B100 

material compatibility are summarized in Appendix C.) 

There have not been significant material compatibility 

issues with B20 unless the B20 has been oxidized.
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 19 

diesel as a blendstock, not as a neat fuel. If you want to 

use B100 as a fuel, these recommendations should help:

• Contact other users of higher-level blends and B100. 

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has names 

of individuals and businesses as well as reference materials about storage, handling, and use 

of higher-level blends and B100. If you manage a 

fleet, contact your Fleet Management Association 

or Clean Cities Coalition to find out if anyone near 

you has experience with B100 or blends above B20. 

Ask your B100 supplier for recommendations. 

• Ask other users what they did, how they did it, 

how long it took, how much it cost, what problems 

they encountered, how long they have been using 

higher-level blends or B100, and what kinds of 

engines and equipment use higher-level blends and 

B100 at their sites. 

• Discuss your needs with your vehicle manufacturer 

and ask for advice, including any recommendations 

from other U.S. fleet customers. 

• Replace materials you know will be problematic 

and institute a monitoring program based on the 

information presented in section 3.6.4, Materials 

Compatibility. 

• Plan and budget for the time and expense of 

increased fuel filter changes or cleaning your fuel 

system when first starting to use higher-level blends 

and B100.

- Frozen after several days in cold weather in railcars equipped with external steam coils (the fuel 

in the tank cars is melted at the final destination 

with steam).

- In a blend with winter diesel, kerosene, or other 

low cloud point fuel in either railcars or trucks.

Regardless of how the biodiesel arrives, procedures that 

prevent the temperature of B100 from dropping below 

its cloud point must be in place. The cloud point of the 

biodiesel, the biodiesel and ambient temperatures, and 

the time the fuel is in transport should all be considered 

when transporting B100 to ensure the fuel does not 

freeze or can be reliquified.

Use of B100 and High Blend Levels

Most biodiesel currently in use involves blends of B20 or 

lower in a variety of applications. The price and lack of 

regulatory incentives have limited the experience with 

blend levels of B50 and higher, although some niche 

markets are using higher blends. High-level biodiesel 

blends are successfully used in underground mining 

equipment. The ability of biodiesel to reduce PM emissions and reduce human exposure to this criteria pollutant has driven the industry to adopt higher blends of 

biodiesel. Thus, most of the information in this section 

is intended for biodiesel use as a blending component. 

In particular, Specification D6751 is for the use of bio-
20 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

This section focuses on blending B100 with petroleum 

diesel to make B6 to B20 blends, but the approach is 

similar for other blend levels such as B2 or B5. As discussed in the previous sections, the performance properties of B100 can be significantly different from those 

of conventional diesel. Blending biodiesel into petroleum diesel can minimize these property differences 

and retain some of the benefits of B100. B20 is popular 

because it represents a good balance of cost, emissions, 

cold weather performance, materials compatibility, 

and ability to act as a solvent. B20 is also the minimum 

blend level that can be used for EPAct compliance for 

covered fleets. 

Specifications 

B5 and Lower Blends

The specification for conventional diesel fuel, ASTM 

D975, allows for up to 5 vol% biodiesel to be blended 

into compliant diesel fuels. The biodiesel used in the 

blend must meet D6751. Blends up to B5 must meet 

all the numeric requirements for diesel fuel properties specified in D975; none were changed or relaxed to 

accommodate biodiesel. ASTM Method D7371, Standard Test Method for Determination of Biodiesel (Fatty 

Acid Methyl Esters) Content in Diesel Fuel Oil Using 

Mid Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR-PLS Method), 

may be used to determine the biodiesel blend percentage. There is no requirement that D975-compliant fuels 

list the percent of biodiesel in the blend. Users may not 

know if the fuel they are using or purchasing is B0, B2, 

or B5 unless they measure the biodiesel content using 

ASTM D7371 or an alternate method. 

B6 to B20 Blends

The specification for B6 to B20 blends requires that the 

biodiesel meet the D6751 specification prior to blending with diesel fuel. The general requirements of the 

B6-B20 specification, D7467-15cε1, are shown in Table 5. 

Beyond the properties in Table 5, there are many other 

requirements within the specification that are important 

for users. Consult the full specification for additional 

details (available at astm.org). The requirements are 

based on those in D975 with some additional requirements to ensure the fuel is fit-for-purpose. The 90% 

distillation temperature is allowed to be 5°C higher than 

for D975 diesel fuel. The specification is designed such 

that if a D6751-compliant B100 and a D975-compliant 

diesel fuel are blended, the resultant blend will meet the 

specification. However, diesel fuel that does not fully 

meet D975 can also be used (for example by having 

inadequate lubricity, high sulfur, or high aromatics), 

and biodiesel can be used to blend these properties into 

compliance.

Pump Labeling

As part of the Energy Independence Security Act, the 

Federal Trade Commission was required to publish biodiesel pump labeling requirements. Pumps are required 

to be labeled to inform consumers about the percentage 

biodiesel being offered for sale. The rules also cover 

renewable diesel (also called biomass-based diesel.18

Pumps selling up to B5 blends require no separate labeling. Figure 5 shows the label for blends between B6 and 

B20. Although the label indicates the blend is “B-20,” 

the regulations allow this label to be used for any blend 

inclusively between B6 and B20. Blends higher than B20 

are required to be labeled with the exact blend percentage; for example, a B30 blend will have a pump label 

stating the blend is B30. 

It should be noted that these federal requirements 

are the minimum necessary at pumps to inform 

consumers about the blends they are purchasing. 

Individual states may have requirements that exceed 

the federal requirements. 

Biodiesel Blends

Figure 5. FTC-compliant B20 and B100 pump labels

B-100 Biodiesel

 contains 100 percent

biodiesel

B-20 Biodiesel

Blend

contains biomass-based diesel

or biodiesel in quantities

between 5 percent and

20 percent

18. Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 48 / Tuesday, March 11, 2008 / 

Proposed Rules. “Federal Trade Commission, 16 CFR Part 306 RIN 

#3084–AA45, Automotive Fuel Ratings, Certification and Posting.”

ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/federal_register_notices/

automotive-fuel-rating-certification-and-posting-16-cfr-part-306/

080311automotivefuelratings.pdf.
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 21 

Table 5. ASTM D7467-15cε1 Specification for Diesel Blends B6 to B20

Property Test 

Method

Grade

B6 to B20 S15 B6 to B20 S500 B6 to B20 S5000

Acid Number, mg KOH/g, max. D664 0.3 0.3 0.3

Viscosity, mm2/s at 40°C D445 1.9 – 4.1a 1.9 – 4.1a 1.9 – 4.1a

Flash Point, °C, min D93 52b 52b 52b

Cloud Point, °C, max or LTFT/CFPP, °C, 

max

D2500 c c c

Sulfur Content, (μg/g or ppm)

 mass %, max.

 mass %, max.

D5453

D2622

D129

15

–

–

–

0.05

–

–

–

0.50

Distillation Temperature, °C, 90% 

evaporated, max. D86 343 343 343

Ramsbottom carbon residue on 10% 

bottoms, mass %, max. D524 0.35 0.35 0.35

Cetane Number, min. D613 40 40 40 

One of the following must be met:

(1) Cetane index, min.

(2) Aromaticity, vol%, max.

D976-80

D1319-03 

40

35

40

35

40

–

Ash Content, mass %, max. D482 0.01 0.01 0.01

Water and Sediment, vol%, max. D2709 0.05 0.05 0.05

Copper Corrosion, 3 h @ 50°C, max. D130 No. 3 No. 3 No. 3 

Biodiesel Content, % (V/V) D7371 6.– 20. 6.– 20. 6.– 20. 

Oxidation Stability, hours, min. EN15751 6 6 6 

Lubricity, HFRR @ 60°C, (micron), max. D6079 520 520 520 

Note: Reprinted with permission of ASTM.

CFPP: cold filter plug point

LTFT: low-temperature flow test 

a. If Grade No. 1-D or blends of Grade No. 1-D and Grade No. 2-D diesel fuel are used, the minimum viscosity shall be 1.3 mm2/s.

b. If Grade No. 1-D or blends of Grade No. 1-D and Grade No. 2-D diesel fuel are used or a cloud point of less than -12°C is specified, the 

minimum flash point shall be 38°C.

c. It is unrealistic to specify low-temperature properties that will ensure satisfactory operation at all ambient conditions. However, satisfactory operation below the cloud point (or wax appearance point) may be achieved depending on equipment design, operating conditions, 

and the use of flow-improver additives as described in Appendix X3.1.2 to the test method. Appropriate low-temperature operability 

properties should be agreed upon between the fuel supplier and purchaser for the intended use and expected ambient temperatures. Test 

Methods D4539 and D6371 may be useful to estimate vehicle low-temperature operability limits when flow improvers are used, but their 

use with Bxx blends from a full range of biodiesel feedstock sources has not been validated. Due to fuel delivery system, engine design, 

and test method differences, low-temperature operability tests may not provide the same degree of protection in various vehicle operating classes. Tenth percentile minimum air temperatures for U.S. locations are provided in Appendix X3 as a means of estimating expected 

regional temperatures. The tenth percentile minimum air temperatures may be used to estimate expected regional target temperatures for 

use with Test Methods D2500, D4539, and D6371. Refer to Appendix X3.1.3 for further general guidance on test application.
22 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Low-Temperature Properties 

Blending biodiesel with petroleum diesel moderates 

low-temperature operability problems of B100 by dilution, although the effects are not necessarily linear. 

Conventional low-temperature operability additives can 

be used with blends as these are believed to be effective 

in the petroleum portion of the blend. When biodiesel 

is blended with diesel fuel, the key variables are the cold 

flow properties of the diesel fuel, the properties of the 

biodiesel, the blend level, and the effectiveness of cold 

flow additives. 

There are some critical metrics for low-temperature 

operability. Note that cold filter plugging point (CFPP) 

and low-temperature flow test (LTFT) are particularly useful for revealing the presence of additives. For 

blends, these include:

• Cloud point. The temperature at which small solid 

crystals are first visually observed as the fuel is 

cooled (ASTM D2500, D5771, D5772, or D5773). 

Below the cloud point of the blend, these crystals 

might plug filters and/or drop to the bottom of a 

vehicle or storage tank. Cloud point is the most 

widely used and most conservative estimate of the 

low-temperature operability limit. However, fuels 

can usually be pumped at temperatures below the 

cloud point.

• Pour point. The temperature at which the fuel contains so many agglomerated crystals it is essentially 

a gel and will no longer flow (ASTM D97, D5949, or 

D5950). Distributors and blenders use pour point 

as an indicator of whether the fuel can be pumped, 

even if it would not be suitable for use without 

heating or taking other steps.

• Cold filter plugging point. This is the temperature 

under a standard set of test conditions, as defined in 

ASTM D6371, where a fuel filter plugs. The CFPP 

test employs rapid cooling conditions. CFPP results 

more than 10°C (18°F) below the cloud point should 

be viewed cautiously as they may not reflect the true 

low-temperature operability limit. The test simulates 

the performance of an average or typical vehicle 

and is not protective of the most severe fuel system 

designs, which make up roughly one-third of heavyduty vehicles or one-fifth of light-duty vehicles.

• Low-temperature flow test. This test also reports 

a temperature under a standard set of conditions, 

defined in ASTM D4539, where a fuel filter plugs. 

LTFT employs slow cooling at 1°C per hour and 

simulates the most severe (and common) fuel system 

designs in North American heavy-duty trucks from 

the standpoint of low-temperature operability.

It is strongly recommended that you consult Appendix 

X.5 to ASTM D975 or Appendix X.3 to ASTM D7467 

to understand the history and relative utility of tests for 

cloud point, CFPP, and LTFT.

B100 cold flow properties depend on FAME composition, which affects the cold flow properties of blends 

(Figure 6 and Figure 7). Measurements of cloud point 

and pour point are not exact, but have ±2°C (±3.5°F) 

repeatability. The same is true of diesel fuel. In addition, different No. 2 diesel fuels may have cloud points 

of -35°C to -5°C (-31°F to 23°F). Some fuels can have 

20

10

0

0

-10

-30

-20

0 20 40 60

Biodiesel Concentration, vol%

Pour Point, °C 

20

10

-10

-30

-20

Cloud Point, °C 

80 100

0 20 40 60

Biodiesel Concentration, vol%

80 100

2C CP B100

-3C CP B10

14C CP B100

20C CP B100

23C CP B100

8C CP B100

2C CP B100

-3C CP B10

14C CP B100

20C CP B100

23C CP B100

8C CP B100

Figure 7 (bottom). Biodiesel/diesel blend pour point test results

Figure 6 (top). Biodiesel/diesel blend cloud point test results
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 23 

Degrees C 

YG 1 YG 2 Veg 1 Veg 2

B100

B20 w 80/20 (80/20 is an 80% blend of No. 2 diesel 

with No. 1 diesel [or kerosene])

B20 w D2

B20 w 60/40 (60/40 is a 60% blend of No. 2 diesel 

with 40% No. 1 diesel.)

-15

-10

-5

0

5

Cloud point of No. 2 is –11°C.

Cloud point of No. 1 is –47°C.

cloud points higher or lower than these figures. No. 1 

diesel, jet A, or kerosene may have cloud points of 

-40°C to -51°C (-40°F to -60°F). A recent Coordinating 

Research Council study showed that biodiesel blends 

(B5 and B20), made from B100 meeting D6751-08a, 

would provide operability down to cloud point. Additives may allow operation at even lower temperatures.19

From this same study, it was found that for biodiesel 

blends prepared from B100 meeting D6751-08a, the 

cloud point and LTFT will be nearly the same, and 

CFPP will be 2°C to 3°C (3.5°F to 5°F) lower, if no lowtemperature flow improver additives are used. Additives do not usually alter cloud point, but can lower 

CFPP and LTFT. Thus, for additized fuels, CFPP or 

LTFT may be a better predictor of low-temperature 

operability.

Blends of No. 1 and No. 2 diesel fuel are frequently used 

to meet customer cold flow requirements (see Figure 8). 

Adjusting the blend of kerosene (or No. 1 diesel) in the 

diesel fuel alone or with additives can modify the cloud 

and pour point temperatures of B20. An accurate estimate of how B20 will perform in the winter months will 

require mixing the biodiesel with the winter diesel typically delivered in your area and testing the mixture.

Neither ASTM D975 nor ASTM D7467 has a specific 

requirement for the maximum or minimum cloud point, 

but the cloud point should be provided to the customer 

as part of the certificate of analysis. Appendix D shows 

a sample certificate of analysis. Cold flow properties 

needed for the fuel depend on where it is being used 

(for example, Michigan or Texas) and what time of year 

the fuel is being used (for example, January or July). A 

petroleum diesel or biodiesel fuel with a cloud point of 

-7°C (20°F) may be fine for a Texas summer, but not for 

a Michigan winter. 

The appendices to ASTM Specifications D975 and 

D7467 contain maps of the 10th percentile minimum 

temperature for all states for October through March. 

At the 10th percentile temperature, only 10% of the 

days were colder during that month on average, based 

on data from several decades. Some users and distributors use the 10th percentile as the target for their 

low-temperature operability requirement. Many diesel 

fuel users will specify a cloud point in their purchase 

contract, for example, that the fuel cloud point be no 

higher than the 10th percentile minimum temperature. 

Some users do not monitor cold flow properties at all 

and rely on their distributors to make sure low-temperature operability is managed for their location.

The University of Minnesota Center for Diesel 

Research tested soy B20 made with various diesel fuels 

available in the region.20 Their database of biodiesel 

blends (0%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 20%, and 100%) shows how 

different diesel fuels and soy biodiesel blends alter cold 

flow properties (cloud point, pour point, and CFPP). 

CFPP is another measure of low-temperature operability that tends to predict an operability limit lower than 

cloud and may not protect in the most severe duty-operation vehicles. Some of the data are shown in Figure 9 

(next page).

No. 1 diesel fuel typically costs more than No. 2, so 

blenders may prefer to use additives. Many cold flow 

additives are available for diesel fuel. Most reduce the 

size of crystals or inhibit crystal formation in some way. 

Most have limited effectiveness on B100, but work with 

varying degrees of effectiveness with B20. 

Figure 8. Adjusting cloud points of B20 fuels with blends of 

No. 1 and No. 2 diesel

19. Coordinating Research Council. 2008. Biodiesel Blend LowTemperature Performance Validation. crcao.com/reports/

recentstudies2008/DP-2a-07/CRC%20650.pdf.

20. Minnesota Department of Agriculture. 2009. Report to the 

Legislature: Petroleum Diesel Fuel and Biodiesel Technical Cold 

Weather Issues. mda.state.mn.us/news/publications/renewable/

biodiesel/biodieselcoldissues.pdf.
24 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Figure 9. Cold flow properties of some soy biodiesel blends, °C

0 2 4 10 20 100

-25

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

% Soy Biodiesel in No. 2 Diesel A

Cloud Point

Pour Point

CFPP

0 2 5 10 20 100

-25

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

% Soy Biodiesel in No. 2 Diesel C

0 1.5 3 5 6 10 15 17.5 20 25 50 100

% Soy Biodiesel in Arctic Diesel E

0 2 5 10 20 100

% Soy Biodiesel in No. 2 Premium Diesel B

0 2 5 10 20 100

-25

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

% Soy Biodiesel in No. 2 Diesel D

0 2 5 10 20 100

% Soy Biodiesel in 50/50 Blend of 

Arctic Diesel E and No. 2 Diesel F

-40

-35

-30

-25

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

-80

-70

-60

-50

-40

-30

-20

-10

0

10

-35

-30

-25

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

Cloud Point

Pour Point

CFPP

Cloud Point

Pour Point

CFPP

Cloud Point

Pour Point

CFPP

Cloud Point

Pour Point

CFPP

Cloud Point

Pour Point

CFPP
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 25 

Lubricity

Blending biodiesel into petroleum diesel even at low 

levels can improve the lubricity of diesel fuel (i.e., reduce 

wear scar diameter). As little as 0.25% biodiesel can significantly improve lubricity.21 Figure 10 shows results of 

lubricity testing using the HFRR, the test used to determine if diesel fuels meet the ASTM lubricity requirement of a maximum 520-micron wear scar diameter. 

The exact blending level required to achieve adequate 

lubricity depends on the properties of the conventional 

diesel. Preliminary evidence suggests that 2% biodiesel 

almost always imparts adequate lubricity.

Figure 10. HFRR lubricity as a function of biodiesel content 

for a No. 1 and a No. 2 diesel fuel

Blending, Storage, and Transport 

Blending

Most biodiesel users purchase finished B20 or lower 

blends from their petroleum distributors or biodiesel 

marketers. In this case, the distributor is responsible for 

ensuring that the biodiesel has been properly blended 

and that the cold flow properties of the finished blend 

will provide satisfactory performance for the area and 

time of year. You may also want to specify in your purchase contract or agreement that the fuel meet certain 

low-temperature operability requirements.

Biodiesel blending procedures depend on a variety 

of factors, including the volume of B100 required to 

make the blend, the finished blend level, the volume 

of blended products being sold, tank and space availability, equipment and operational costs, and customer 

requirements for blends, both now and in the future. 

Biodiesel is a fuel for diesel applications only and is 

not to be blended with gasoline. 

Generally, biodiesel is blended into diesel fuel via 

several methods: 

• B100 may be splash blended with diesel fuel by the 

end user in a storage tank or transport truck. 

• B100 is blended at a petroleum terminal or rack by 

a pipeline or terminal operator (usually through 

injection blending) and offered as a finished blend. 

This product is sold directly to customers or to 

a petroleum jobber or distribution company for 

further sale to customers. This is the preferred 

method because it ensures complete blending.

The chemical nature of biodiesel allows it to be blended 

with any kind of distillate or diesel fuel. This includes 

light distillate fuels such as jet fuel, kerosene, No.1 diesel, 

and military fuels (JP8, JP5), as well as diesel fuel such 

as No. 2 diesel for diesel engines and gas turbines and 

heating oil for boilers and home heating. Once biodiesel 

is blended thoroughly with diesel fuel, they stay blended 

together and do not separate over time, if the blend is 

maintained at temperatures above its cloud point. 

B100 should be blended with diesel fuel as soon as reasonable after purchasing, regardless of the time of year. 

B100 is less oxidatively stable than petroleum diesel and 

biodiesel blends. Cloud point considerations are less of 

a concern for biodiesel blends than for B100 during cold 

weather. If you have only a few B100 customers, you 

might consider holding a tote of B100 indoors or storing 

some underground or in heated tanks, depending on 

your climate, and blending the rest as soon as possible. 

Always retain one-quart samples of the diesel and B100 

before blending. If any problems arise, these samples 

may help you determine whether they were caused by 

the fuel or by something else. Once the customers have 

run through the current batch of blended fuel with no 

problems, you can mix the retained samples into the 

new batch of blended fuel. 

Petroleum terminals and pipeline racks responded to 

increasing demand by installing biodiesel blending 

capability so jobbers and distributors can receive a 

500

700

600

400

200

300

HFRR Wear Scar Diameter, micron

0 10

Volume/Percent Biodiesel

20

No. 2 Diesel

No. 1 Diesel

Minimum acceptable lubricity

21. Kinast, J.A. 2003. Production of Biodiesels from Multiple Feedstocks and Properties of Biodiesels and Biodiesel/Diesel Blends: 

Final Report; Report 1 in a Series of 6, p. 13. National Renewable 

Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO. NREL/SR-510-31460. nrel.gov/

docs/fy03osti/31460.pdf.
26 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

biodiesel blend directly at the rack and store and distribute only the blended biodiesel. This finished blend 

can then be sold to fleet or other applications that have 

some type of onsite storage. An increasing number 

of public pumps and key card pumps carry biodiesel 

blends for individual users or fleets that do not have 

their own onsite storage capability.

Many blending options are available, depending on 

your area. As the market continues to mature and 

volumes increase, the point of blending will likely occur 

farther and farther upstream in the distribution system 

where it is most efficient and economical. This is especially true with lower blends of biodiesel such as B2 and 

B5. Most users find blending their own fuel to be time 

consuming and costly, so they increasingly request that 

their petroleum supplier make finished blends available. 

The blending process is usually done by splash blending 

or in-line blending. 

• Splash Blending. Splash blending is appropriate 

for locations where the biodiesel and diesel fuel are 

loaded separately, or, in some cases, at the same 

time through different incoming sources, but at a 

high enough fill rate that the fuels are sufficiently 

mixed (several hundred gallons per minute for the 

diesel fuel). In some cases, the tank may need to be 

recirculated or further mixed to thoroughly blend 

the two fuels. If mixing is not complete, the slightly 

denser biodiesel will settle to the bottom. If the 

entire load is then pumped in to a customer tank, 

this action will usually be enough to cause complete 

mixing. But for loads split between customers, the 

load must be well mixed at the time of blending.

This pumping is generally enough mixing for 

biodiesel blends, except in cold weather where the 

ambient temperature is significantly below the B100 

cloud point. Putting B100 into a cold, empty tank 

truck can cause the fuel to gel, resulting in the two 

fuels mixing poorly or not at all. In cold weather, it 

is better to load half the diesel, then the biodiesel, 

followed by the rest of the diesel fuel. 

• In-Line Blending. In-line blending occurs when 

the biodiesel is added to a stream of diesel fuel as 

it travels through a pipe or hose in such a way that 

the biodiesel and diesel fuel become thoroughly 

mixed by the turbulent movement through the pipe. 

The biodiesel is added slowly and continuously into 

the moving stream of diesel fuel via a smaller line 

inserted in a larger pipe, or it can be added in small 

slug or pulsed quantities spread evenly throughout 

the time the petroleum diesel is being loaded. This 

is similar to the way most additives are blended 

into diesel fuel today and is most commonly used at 

pipeline terminals and racks. In some cases, distributors who carry B100 and petroleum diesel in separate 

compartments and blend the two as they are loading 

into a customer’s tank also use this method. 

In-line blending uses two metered pumps and a 

dual-fuel injection system, so requires an investment in equipment. This approach is the most accurate and reliable for guaranteeing a specific fuel 

blend. A variety of equipment is available for in-line 

blending. Systems have to be sized for a specific 

blend level (B2, B20) and generally cannot handle 

both types of blends. 

In general, blending biodiesel is not difficult if you 

remember that biodiesel is slightly heavier and more 

viscous than diesel fuel and the more it is mixed, 

the better.

Biodiesel has a specific gravity of 0.88 compared to 

No. 2 diesel at 0.85 and No. 1 diesel at 0.80. If you put 

the biodiesel into an empty tank and then pour diesel 

fuel slowly on top, the fuels may not blend properly. If 

you fill the tank with diesel and then slowly add biodiesel, the biodiesel may go directly to the bottom of the 

tank. Biodiesel is heavier, so it may stay unmixed at the 

bottom of the tank. Most pumps draw from the bottom 

of a fuel tank; if not properly mixed, this bottom layer 

can contain higher concentrations of biodiesel than the 

intended blend level. The problems generally manifest 

themselves in cold months as the high-concentration 

biodiesel has a much higher cloud point than the wellblended fuel, leading to filter plugging and forming a gel 

layer at the bottoms of aboveground tanks. Because the 

low-temperature operability problems may not manifest 

themselves in the summer and any adverse effects on 

hoses and gaskets associated with higher blends may take 

some time to develop, users may go for many months 

without a problem. Another issue is that a concentrated 

layer of biodiesel could also start to dissolve tank sediments, which can cause filter clogging in warm months.

Two simple tests can be performed to determine if a 

tank has been thoroughly mixed:

• Top, middle, and bottom samples of the tank 

can be taken (see ASTM D4057 or D4177 for the 

proper way to take a representative sample of a 

tank) and analyzed for the percent biodiesel or by 
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 27 

measuring the specific gravity or density. This can be 

done with any available means of measuring density 

or specific gravity (digital density meter, hydrometer). If the values vary by no more than 0.003 specific 

gravity units from top to bottom, the mix is probably 

adequate.22 The test procedure for determining the 

percent biodiesel by infrared spectroscopy is ASTM 

D7371-14. Several instrument companies currently 

offer relatively inexpensive equipment to measure 

the percent biodiesel in the field, similar to equipment used for ethanol in gasoline. 

• Put the samples from the three layers in a freezer 

with a thermometer and check every five minutes 

until the fuel in one sample begins to crystallize. Record that temperature. Then, continue to 

check every few minutes until all three samples 

show crystallization. Compare the crystallization 

temperatures on all three samples; they should be 

within 3°C (6°F) of each other. Otherwise, the fuel 

will require agitation to mix thoroughly. Alternatively, the cloud point of the three samples could be 

measured, and values should be within 3°C (6°F) of 

each other. See sidebar at right for an example.

Cold weather blending is a concern in situations where 

the diesel fuel temperature falls below the cloud point of 

the B100 you are blending. If the diesel fuel temperature 

is above the cloud point of the final blend, any crystals 

that form during blending should go back into solution. 

This process can be assisted by blending equipment that 

agitates the two fuels during blending. That agitation 

helps disperse the fuels and crystals more uniformly and 

can provide some energy to help the crystals dissolve. 

Blends should be stored in tanks that can ensure the 

fuel temperature will remain above the cloud point of 

the blend. Blended fuels can be stored below ground 

in most climates. B20 may be stored in aboveground 

tanks, depending on the cloud and pour points of the 

blended fuel, the heating capacities for the fuel, and the 

local ambient weather conditions. 

Stability

Long-term storage stability of B5 and B20 blends has 

recently been examined using the D4625 test that simulates storage at normal ambient temperature, roughly 

21°C (70°F). The test is accelerated by a factor of 4, 

such that one week of test time simulates one month of 

actual storage. This test was carried out for 39 weeks 

(simulating 3 years of biodiesel blend storage) with four 

biodiesels of varying stability blended with two diesel 

fuels.23 Results for B5 blends are shown in Figure 11 on 

page 28. For B100 with a three-hour or higher induction 

time, the D4625 test shows no indication that oxidation 

is occurring in B5 blends under these test conditions. 

Based on these results, B5 blends made from inspecification B100 can be stored for one year or longer. 

However, as storage conditions can influence stability, 

we recommend that you consider adding a synthetic 

antioxidant and monitoring the condition of the fuel 

periodically if you store fuel for longer than 6 months.

Figure 12 (page 29) shows the results for B20 blends. 

All of the B20 blends, with one exception, remained 

within specification by the end of 39 weeks and showed 

no signs of oxidation beyond a decrease in induction 

period. The results for the lowest stability blend were 

notably different between the two base diesels. In the 

case of Diesel A, this blend went out of specification 

for induction period by 23 weeks and remained at a 

constant value for the remaining storage time. This 

blend showed no signs of oxidation by the end of test. 

The blend prepared with Diesel B went out of specification by 17 weeks and showed a steady drop in induction 

period from 31 to 39 weeks, eventually reaching zero. At 

the end of the test, the peroxide value of this blend had 

increased significantly and the acid number was out of 

Consider an example: Small-scale or hand blending shows that the cloud point of the B20 blend will 

be -18°C (0°F), the cloud point of the diesel is -23°C 

(-10°F), and the biodiesel has a cloud point of 1°C 

(34°F) and is stored at a temperature above cloud 

point. The diesel fuel temperature is -6°C (21°F) 

on the day you decide to blend. The diesel fuel 

temperature is lower than the cloud point of your 

B100. This is an acceptable situation because the 

B20 cloud point is below the temperature of your 

diesel fuel and the gap between the temperature 

of the diesel fuel and the target B20 cloud point is 

pretty generous, about 12°C (23°F). Any crystals 

that form during blending (because the diesel 

temperature is below the cloud point of the B100) 

will return into solution. If the gap was smaller, for 

example, 3°C (5°F), crystals may be slow to return 

to solution and have a chance to settle out.

22. NBB quality program, BQ-9000, bq-9000.org/

23. Christensen, E., and R.L. McCormick. 2014. “Long-Term Storage 

Stability of Biodiesel and Biodiesel Blends,” Fuel Processing 

Technology 128:339–348
28 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Figure 11. D4625 storage results for B5 blends made from B100 with varying levels of oxidation stability and two diesel fuels 

as measured by EN15751

0 10 20 30 40

0

10

20

30

40

Weeks at 43°C

0 10 20 30 40

0

10

20

30

40

Weeks at 43°C

0 10 20 30 40

Weeks at 43°C

0 10 20 30 40

0

0.1

0.2

0.4

0.5

0

0.1

0.2

0.3 0.3

0.4

0.5

Weeks at 43°C

0 10 20 30 40

Weeks at 43°C

0 10 20 30 40

0

20

40

60

80

100

0

20

40

60

80

100

Weeks at 43°C

Induction Period, hrInduction Period, hr

Acid Number, mg KOH/gAcid Number, mg KOH/g

Peroxide Value, mg/kgPeroxide Value, mg/kg

3.7

7.1

3.4

6.9

B100 IP, hrs

3.7

7.1

3.4

6.9

B100 IP, hrs

3.7

7.1

3.4

6.9

B100 IP, hrs

3.7

7.1

3.4

6.9

B100 IP, hrs

3.7

7.1

3.4

6.9

B100 IP, hrs

3.7

7.1

3.4

6.9

B100 IP, hrs

A B

A B

A B
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 29 

Figure 12. D4625 storage results for B20 blends made from B100 with varying levels of oxidation stability as measured 

by EN15751

0 10 20 30 40

0

10

20

30

35

Weeks at 43°C

0 10 20 30 40

0

10

20

30

5

15

25

5

15

25

35

Weeks at 43°C

0 10 20 30 40

Weeks at 43°C

0 10 20 30 40

0

0.1

0.2

0.4

0.5

0

0.1

0.2

0.3 0.3

0.4

0.5

Weeks at 43°C

0 10 20 30 40

Weeks at 43°C

0 10 20 30 40

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

Weeks at 43°C

Induction Period, hrInduction Period, hr

Acid Number, mg KOH/gAcid Number, mg KOH/g

Peroxide Value, mg/kgPeroxide Value, mg/kg

3.7

7.1

3.4

6.9

B100 IP, hrs

3.7

7.1

3.4

6.9

B100 IP, hrs

3.7

7.1

3.4

6.9

B100 IP, hrs

3.7

7.1

3.4

6.9

B100 IP, hrs

3.7

7.1

3.4

6.9

B100 IP, hrs

3.7

7.1

3.4

6.9

A B100 IP, hrs B

A B

A B
30 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

specification. Based on these results, B20 blends made 

from in-specification B100 can be stored for one year 

and possibly longer. The base diesel used to prepare a 

blend also influences the storage stability of the blended 

fuel. Again, we recommend the use of a synthetic antioxidant and monitoring of the fuel periodically if you 

store fuel for longer than 6 months. 

As biodiesel ages in storage, the induction period 

decreases, the peroxide value increases, the acid number 

eventually increases and goes out of specification, gums 

and varnish can form, and the viscosity can increase. 

Induction period, acid number, viscosity, and water 

and sediment tests can be used to ensure your biodiesel 

blend meets ASTM specifications for either B6 to B20 

(D7467) or diesel fuel (D975). The results of the study 

presented here did not detect any statistically significant 

insoluble material formation in the B20s during storage. 

Previous studies have shown that when the acid number 

of a biodiesel blend increases to above the specification 

limit, a considerable amount of insoluble material can 

form.24 Some data suggest that when oxidized or aged 

biodiesel is blended with diesel to make B20, some of 

the sediments and gums soluble in the B100 become 

insoluble and come out of solution, forming sediments. 

This information is presented as a warning only. You 

should never blend out-of-specification B100 into diesel 

to make B20. Make sure the induction period, water and 

sediment, acid number, and viscosity values are all in 

specification before blending. Fuel should be monitored 

for changes in induction period and acid number during 

storage. Blends that have gone above the maximum acid 

number of 0.3 mg KOH/g should not be used.

Thermal stability is generally meant to indicate that the 

fuel is degrading when it is subjected to high temperatures for a short period, similar to what would be experienced in the fuel injector or fuel system of a modern 

diesel engine. If the fuel degrades in a hot engine, the 

primary concern is the potential for fuel pump and 

injector fouling or corrosion. The data suggest thermal 

stability should not be a concern with biodiesel. 

Cleaning Effect 

Blends of 20% biodiesel or lower minimize any cleaning 

or solvent effect issues with accumulated sediments in 

tanks although minor filter plugging may be observed 

during the initial weeks of B20 use. Blends higher than 

20% should always be stored in clean, dry tanks as recommended for conventional diesel fuel. Using B20 for 

a year or more will probably not clean your tanks and 

is not a substitute for a thorough tank cleaning when 

preparing for higher level blends or B100 storage.

Most people do not clean their tanks before B20 use, 

although it is still wise to keep some extra filters on 

hand and monitor potential filter clogging a little closer 

than normal when first starting to use B20. The cleaning 

effect of the biodiesel in B20 is sufficiently diluted that 

most problems are insignificant, but a fuel filter may 

plug when the fuel is first used. Drivers should be aware 

that sediments in the vehicle system might plug fuel 

filters during the first few weeks of using B20. Any filter 

clogging with B20, if it occurs at all, typically goes away 

after the first few times the tank is filled. 

Some consumers who did not encounter problems with 

B20 assume they can switch to higher blends because 

the B20 has already cleaned their tanks. B20 is too 

dilute to clean tanks, so caution is still warranted with 

higher blends. The cleaning effect should not be an issue 

with B5 and lower blends.

Materials Compatibility

B20 or lower blends minimize most issues associated 

with materials compatibility. Experience over the last 

10 years indicates B20 compatibility with all elastomers 

in diesel fuel systems, even those such as nitrile rubber, 

that are sensitive to higher blends. Customers should 

thus continue to check for and fix leaks. 

Improper or lengthy storage of biodiesel or biodiesel 

blends can result in oxidation and the formation of 

corrosive organic acids and water that can adversely 

affect vulnerable materials. Although only limited 

research has been done on this issue, tests indicate that 

the degree of oxidation may be more important than 

the concentration of biodiesel. Unless used within a 

few months, biodiesel and biodiesel blends should be 

stabilized with antioxidants to reduce susceptibility to 

oxidation and degradation.

B20 may degrade faster than petroleum diesel if oxidizing metals such as iron, rust, copper, bronze, brass, or 

zinc are in fueling systems. If filters clog more frequently with B20 than with petroleum diesel, the fueling 

system should be checked for these materials and they 

should be replaced with biodiesel-compatible parts. 

Typically, these metals are found in lead solders, zinc 

linings, copper pipes, and brass and copper fittings. 

Stainless steel, carbon steel, and aluminum are good 

replacements. Data on the materials compatibility of 

biodiesel blends are summarized in Appendix C.

24. McCormick, R.L., and S.R. Westbrook 2010. “Storage Stability of 

Biodiesel and Biodiesel Blends.” Energy & Fuels 24(1):690–698.
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 31 

Refueling Infrastructure 

Codes and Regulations

Biodiesel blends are subject to the same regulations and 

codes as diesel fuels. Blends up to B5 are considered 

regular diesel and approved for use in existing diesel 

infrastructure. Blends above B5 are subject to additional requirements. This section focuses on the federal 

requirements. Stations considering blends above B5 

should contact their state and local authorities to identify other regulations and requirements.

EPA’s Office of Underground Storage Tanks regulates underground storage tanks (USTs) per Code of 

Federal Regulations Title 40, Subtitle 1 Subchapter 1 

Parts 280-282. The federal UST regulation was updated 

in October 2015 with section 280.32 in the 2015 UST 

regulation providing clarity to the 1988 compatibility 

requirement by specifying additional compatibility 

requirements for owners and operators wishing to store 

certain regulated substances, including diesel containing more than 20%. All portions of a UST system must 

be compatible with the fuel stored. Demonstrations of 

compatibility must be provided for the tank, piping, 

containment sumps, pumping equipment, release detection equipment, spill equipment, and overfill equipment. 

The requirements are:

1. Owners of USTs switching to store blends containing greater than B20 must notify their implementing agency (usually a state office) 30 days prior to 

switching fuels to store B20+ blend.

2.Owners of USTs storing blends greater than B20 

must demonstrate compatibility through either:

a.Certification/listing of equipment for use with the 

fuel stored by a nationally recognized, independent testing laboratory, or

b.Equipment or component manufacturer approval 

for use with the fuel stored. This statement must 

be in writing affirming compatibility and must 

list the specific ranges of biofuel blend the equipment or component is compatible with, or 

c. Use of another option determined by the implementing agency to be no less protective of human 

health and the environment.

3.Owners of USTs storing blends greater than B20 

must maintain records demonstrating compatibility 

as long as that fuel is stored.

OSHA regulates some fuel-dispensing equipment. 

Its regulations applicable to service stations have not 

been updated in decades and therefore do not specifically address biofuels. OSHA is planning to update 

these standards to address new fuels in the marketplace. OSHA 1910.106 (g)(3)(iv) and (g)(3)(vi)(a) require 

dispensers and nozzles to be listed by a third party for 

specific fuels. 

OSHA 1910.106(b)(1)(i)(b) and (c)(2)(ii) require tanks, 

piping, valves, and fittings other than steel to use sound 

engineering design for materials used; however, there is 

no listing requirement. OSHA 1910.106(b)(1)(iii) covers 

steel tanks and requires sound engineering and compliance with UL 5825 and American Petroleum Institute 

Standards 65026 and 12B27 as applicable.

Local authorities having jurisdiction typically adopt 

fire codes from one of two organizations, the National 

Fire Protection Association (in particular, Code 30A,28

which includes language on alternative compliance to 

address new fuels) or the International Code Council, 

which provides standard codes for retail stations that 

are accepted or modified to meet local requirements. 

Other organizations developing best practices and 

codes include American Petroleum Institute, Fiberglass 

Tank and Pipe Institute, NACE International, National 

Conference on Weights and Measure, National Leak 

Prevention Association, Petroleum Equipment Institute, 

and Steel Tank Institute. 

UL Listing

UL is the primary third-party safety certification 

laboratory servicing the refueling equipment industry 

globally. There are many standards covering individual products in the fueling system and many differ25. UL. 1996. UL 58. Standard for Steel Underground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, Ninth Edition. ulstandards.ul.com/

standard/?id=58

26. American Petroleum Institute. 2013. API Standard 650, Welded 

Tanks for Oil Storage, Twelfth Edition. api.org/~/media/Files/Publications/Whats%20New/650%20e12%20PA.pdf

27. American Petroleum Institute. 2014. API Specification 12, Specification for Bolted Tanks for Storage of Production Liquids, Sixteenth 

Edition. api.org/~/media/Files/Publications/Whats%20New/12B_

e16%20PA.pdf

28. National Fire Protection Association. 2015. NFPA 30A: Code for 

Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages. nfpa.org/

codes-and-standards/document-information-pages?mode=

code&code=30A
32 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

ent approaches to evaluating safety. In the past, some 

standards that provided listings for specific fuels were 

limited to petroleum products, but were then revised to 

cover biodiesel blends. Over time, many UL standards 

provided the option for equipment manufacturers to list 

their products for gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, and other 

biofuels blends. While some UL standards allow manufacturers to select which fuels to list for, there is trend 

towards revising standards to require equipment to be 

listed for all fuel types—this means equipment would be 

listed for use with gasoline, diesel, B20, and other commercial fuels. Depending on the standard, UL allows 

listing for B20 and/or B100. Notably, test standards 

for fiberglass underground tanks and piping do not 

have the ability to list for biodiesel fuels. A summary 

of applicable UL standards for refueling equipment is 

available in Appendix C3.

Retail and Fleet Station Equipment

A service station consists of many interconnected pieces 

of refueling equipment necessary to deliver fuel to vehicles. There are approximately 60 pieces of equipment at 

a station designed to handle fuel and vapor. The equipment delivering fuel to a vehicle includes tanks, pipes, 

submersible turbine pump, dispenser, and hanging 

hardware. The remainder and majority of equipment 

are used to prevent, detect, and contain releases; there is 

also equipment for fuel delivery. This category includes 

overfill protection, leak detection, shear valves, fill and 

vapor caps and adaptors, containment sumps and all 

associated fittings and accessories of these equipment 

types. Figure 13, on the next page, provides a diagram 

and equipment list (Table 6). 

Tanks 

Most existing tanks are compatible with biodiesel 

blends up to B100. Appendix C4 lists tank manufacturers and their compatibility with biodiesel blends. All 

existing fuel storage tank manufacturers have issued 

signed letters stating compatibility with up to B100 per 

federal requirements. Steel tanks are listed under UL 58 

for flammable fuels and do not test with specific fuels. 

Fiberglass tanks are listed under UL 1316, which does 

not offer a biodiesel test fluid; however, both fiberglass tank manufacturers have tested with biodiesel 

fuels and meet federal codes with compatibility letters. 

Owens Corning manufactured underground fiberglass 

tanks between 1965 and 1994 and the company did not 

test with biodiesel so they are not able to issue a letter 

stating compatibility. 

Aboveground Tanks: Aboveground tanks are uncommon at retail stations. ASTs are typically constructed 

of stainless steel or carbon steel. The use of galvanized 

metal tanks or plastic tanks is not recommended. It is 

important to check with local and national fire codes to 

determine appropriate tank construction. Many jurisdictions will require two-hour fire-rated tank technology to dispense fuels from ASTs into motor vehicles. 

The construction of the tank may determine where the 

dispenser can be mounted and how close the tank can 

be to nearby buildings and property lines.

Cleaning and Maintaining Tanks: If a tank is compatible 

with biodiesel blends, it must be cleaned prior to storing 

any new fuel. During fuel storage, debris and moisture 

can build up over time to form sludge, known as “water 

bottoms,” in a tank. Biodiesel blends, particularly B100, 

have a solvent effect and will remove any sludge buildup 

and contaminate the fuel. However, proper housekeeping procedures should be instituted to limit debris and 

water contamination. Microbial contamination of diesel 

tanks is being investigated nationwide. UST owners 

should routinely clean tanks and remove water bottoms 

to reduce the risk of corrosion. 

There are several methods for cleaning sludge from 

storage tanks, which are listed below. It is possible to 

inspect a tank prior to cleaning using a camera with a 

remote that is inserted into a tank. It is important to 

note that all of the methods should be completed by a 

qualified company familiar with cleaning petroleum 

storage tanks.

• Optic Sweep: This patented system uses a fiber 

optic camera and controllable probe with an extraction device that can visually inspect and clean fuel 

storage tank bottoms at any fuel level with no tank 

downtime. The optic sweep can locate and remove 

water, sludge, bacteria, rust particles, and sediment 

while customers continue to pump.

• Steam Cleaning: A person physically enters the 

tank, steam cleans it, and removes sludge. Care 

must be taken to properly dry the tank.

• Filter Agitator: An agitating device is lowered into 

the tank. The fuel and any debris are agitated and 

circulated. A filtration system removes the suspended debris.

• Chemical Solvents: Chemical solvents are used to 

remove scale and debris. Liquid and debris are then 

pumped from the tank and disposed of.
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 33 

SourceTM

Mag VFC

THIS SALE

VEEDER-ROOT V

R

TLS-350

39

1

11

35

60

10

7

32

50 49

15

58

48

13

59

57

30 36 14 16 25

2

23 24

47

42

52

46

38

45

43

41

28

40 40

33

12

38

4 5

55 4

44

51

18

35

17

21 22

35

34

53 54 56

4

6

31

26

6

19 20

27

29

5

37

3 8 33 9

55

Figure 13. Typical Fuel Dispenser and Underground Storage Piping. Figure courtesy of Source Fueling Equipment Solutions

Table 6. Fuel Dispenser and Underground Storage Piping Components

# Equipment # Equipment # Equipment

1 Tank 21 Face seal adaptor 41 Dispenser

2 Tank straps 22 Jack screw kit 42 Nozzle

3 Sump and cover (tank) 23 Overfill prevention valve 43 Breakaway

4 Sump entry fitting (boot) 24 Drop tube (often a part of #23) 44 Swivel

5 Sump penetration fittings 25 Fuel grade ID # 45 Whip hose

6 Flexible entry boots 26 Extractor tee 46 Hose

7 Submersible turbine pump 27 Ball float vent valve 47 Hose retractor

8 Mechanical line leak detector 28 Monitoring well screen (pipe) 48 Stabilizer bar kit

9 Ball valve 29 Well cap-monitoring 49 Shear valve

10 Magnetostrictive probe 30 Manhole-monitoring 50 Shear valve-vapor (stage II only)

11 Float kit 31 Interstitial cap 51 Sensor tube

12 Interstitial sensor 32 Manhole 52 Dispenser sump

13 Manhole-composite 33 Roll filter fabric 53 Pipe-secondary containment tee

14 Manhole-multi-port spill containment 34 Transition sump-vent 54 Pipe-product tee

15 Spill bucket 35 Sump sensor 55 Concentric reducer

16 Fuel grade ID tag 36 Pipe 56 Pipe-secondary containment

17 Fill adaptor (top or side) 37 Pipe adaptor 58 Pipe-product elbow

18 Fill cap (top or side) 38 Flexible connector 57 Pipe-secondary containment elbow

19 Vapor adaptor 39 Vent 59 Console

20 Vapor cap 40 Steel bumper 60 Probe cap adaptor
34 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Choosing the appropriate cleaning technique will 

depend upon the type of fuel that has been stored in the 

tank, availability of the cleaning service, and state and 

local environmental regulations.

There have been reports of accelerated corrosion in 

ultra-low sulfur diesel tanks across the country. The 

definitive cause of the microbial contamination is not 

yet known; however, the EPA and industry are investing 

the cause and are working towards a solution. Following 

best practices on maintaining tanks, cleaning them, and 

removing water bottoms reduce the risk of corrosion. 

Pipes 

Approximately 99% of installed pipes are either fiberglass or flexible and many products are compatible 

with biodiesel blends. The following manufacturers 

have issued letters stating compatibility with B100 to 

meet federal code: Brugg Pipesystems, NOV Fiberglass 

Systems (includes Ameron brand), Nupi Americas, and 

OmegaFlex (requires stainless steel fittings). Other manufacturers, including Advantage Earth Products, Franklin Fueling, and OPW, should be contacted directly for 

biodiesel compatibility. Typical warranties for fiberglass 

and flexible pipes are 30 and 10 years, respectively. 

Other UST Equipment

Stations have a significant amount of equipment underground and in the tank to receive fuel deliveries and 

to prevent, detect, and contain leaks. This equipment 

includes but is not limited to sumps and accessories, 

manholes, flexible connectors, fill caps and adaptors, entry fittings, overfill prevention, leak detection, 

sensors, drop tubes, and vents. Appendix C provides 

a list of UST equipment and its compatibility with 

biodiesel blends. If a manufacturer or specific model 

number is missing, please contact the manufacturer 

directly to determine if the equipment is compatible 

with specific biodiesel blends. 

Aboveground Equipment 

Aboveground equipment includes equipment a consumer is likely to encounter at a station, including the 

dispenser and hanging hardware. Figure 14 shows a 

typical dispenser and hanging hardware. The hanging 

hardware consists of the nozzle, swivel, hose, whip hose, 

and breakaway. B20 UL-listed equipment is available 

and should be used to meet federal and local regulations. Appendix C provides a list of UL-listed B20 

aboveground equipment.

All Gilbarco Encore dispensers sold since January 1, 

2014, are UL listed for B20. Wayne Fueling Systems 

LLC (Wayne) offers B20 as an option on all Helix and 

Ovation models. Prior to the availability of UL-listed 

B20 dispensers, both manufacturers standard two-year 

warranty covered the use of B20. Husky and OPW offer 

UL B20-listed breakaways, nozzles, and swivels. Veyance’s (a division of Goodyear) Flexsteel Futura hose is 

UL listed for B20.

Shear valves are an important piece of safety equipment that cut off the flow of fuel from the UST to 

the dispenser to prevent a release in the event of an 

accident dislodging the dispenser or fire. UL-listed 

B20 shear valves are available from Franklin Fueling 

and OPW. Submersible turbine pumps draw fuel from 

the tank and into piping that delivers the fuel to the 

dispenser. Franklin Fueling has UL B20 and B100 

listed submersible turbine pumps and Veeder-Root has 

a letter stating compatibility with B100 which meets 

federal code requirements. Appendix C lists compatible equipment. 

Figure 14. Dispenser and Hanging Hardware. 

Photo by Charles Bensinger, NREL 13531

Whip Hose

Breakaway

Hose

Nozzle

Dispenser

Swivel
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 35 

Purchasing Biodiesel

Some blenders have specified feedstocks, such as soy 

biodiesel, in their purchasing contracts to obtain a 

biodiesel with a lower cloud point (relative to animal 

fat derived biodiesel). As volumes of biodiesel have 

increased in the United States, many producers have 

started offering biodiesel from a complex mix of feedstocks, rather than a single feedstock. Thus, a more 

realistic approach may be to specify the cloud point 

of the B100. This may lock in a certain price range for 

biodiesel, but can also ensure biodiesel has specific cold 

weather characteristics. It is important to consider the 

cost trade-offs of using less expensive biodiesel that 

might be higher in saturates, but require extra No. 1 

diesel or additives for low-temperature operability in 

colder weather, versus more unsaturated biodiesel and 

No. 2 diesel. A biodiesel supplier may be willing to 

switch from more highly saturated feedstocks in the 

summer to a more unsaturated feedstock in the winter. 

If low-temperature operability problems occur, a possible solution is to lower the biodiesel content in the blend 

during the coldest months. In applications that do not 

require B20, the supplier may already be doing this for 

customers to proactively manage the cold weather properties of the blends. Most commonly, B20 users require 

their fuel supplier to ensure adequate low-temperature 

operability through contractual language. A purchase 

contract could specify that a fuel must remain crystal 

free at temperatures as low as -26°C (-14°F) (cloud point 

lower than -26°C) for December, January, and February. Then the blender will work independently with the 

biodiesel and diesel suppliers and the additive firms to 

address these issues.

Because the density of biodiesel varies with temperature 

and biodiesel is typically sold by volume, the density 

of biodiesel as a function of temperature can be an 

important factor in biodiesel commerce. The density of 

biodiesel decreases linearly with temperature. Under 

the Energy Independence Security Act, EPA allows the 

use of one of two methods for biodiesel temperature 

standardization. The first and most common method 

is based on the American Petroleum Institute Refined 

Products, Table 6B “Standard Guide for Use of Petroleum Measurement Tables”; the second method uses 

data generated by the state of Minnesota and the 

Renewable Energy Group in 2008.

Viscosity as a Function of Temperature

Fuel viscosity has a significant impact on the operation 

of engine fuel injection and atomization systems and 

is known to affect engine wear and the rate of injector 

fouling. Additionally, viscosity can be a factor in the 

design of pumps for the transfer of stockpiled biodiesel. 

Figure 15 shows the kinematic viscosities predicted 

from the correlations of three biodiesel fuels over the 

temperature range of 20°C to 300°C (68° to 572°F). 

The relationship between temperature and viscosity 

typically follows the regression equation:

logη = A + B/T + C/T/T

η = viscosity

T = absolute temperature (K)

For the biodiesels tested above, the constants for the 

best-fit regression equation are shown in Table 7:

Canola Methyl Ester

Soy Methyl Ester

Fish-oil Ethyl Ester

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

Temperature (C)

Kinematic Viscosity (cSt)

Figure 15. Kinematic viscosity of three biodiesels29

Table 7. 

Constants for Best Fit Regression Equation

Biodiesel Type A B C

Canola methyl 

ester –0.341 –498 338,301

Soy methyl ester 0.076 –1,078 469,741

Fish-oil ethyl 

ester –0.453 –739 415,238

29. Tate, R.E., K.C. Watts, C.A.W. Allen, and K.I. Wilkie. 2006. “The 

viscosities of three biodiesel fuels at temperatures up to 300 °C,” 

Fuel 85(7-8):1010-1015
36 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Viscosity of Various Biodiesel Blends as a 

Function of Temperature

Others have found good correlation with measured viscosity when predicting the viscosity of biodiesel blends 

using the standard method for calculating kinematic 

viscosities of mixtures:

logηB = m1logη1 + m2logη2

ηB = viscosity of the blend

η1 and η2 = viscosity of the compnents

m1 and m2 = mass fraction of the components

The results of this equation for various blends of a commercial biodiesel are shown in Figure 16.

These results suggest that this equation could be used to 

estimate viscosities of other intermediate blends.

Figure 16. Kinematic viscosity for a commercial biodiesel in various blends30

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Temperature (C)

Kinematic Viscosity (cSt)

100% Biodiesel

75% Biodiesel with No. 2 Diesel

50% Biodiesel with No. 2 Diesel

20% Biodiesel with No. 2 Diesel

No. 2 Diesel

75% Biodiesel with No. 1 Diesel

50% Biodiesel with No. 1 Diesel

20% Biodiesel with No. 1 Diesel

No. 1 Diesel

30. Tat, M.E., and J. van Gerpen, 1999. “The Kinematic Viscosity of Biodiesel and Its Blends with Diesel Fuel.” JAOCS, 76, 12, 

1511-1513. 
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 37 

The biodiesel industry has developed a voluntary 

quality control program called BQ-9000 for biodiesel 

producers and distributors to ensure biodiesel is produced according to ASTM specifications and ensure 

that consistent procedures are followed to prevent 

contamination and degradation during distribution, 

storage, and blending. It is managed by an independent 

organization, the National Biodiesel Accreditation 

Commission. Several engine manufacturers recommend 

the use of biodiesel from BQ-9000–certified sources. 

Consumers can avoid the need for independent testing 

by purchasing biodiesel fuels from certified distributors. 

The BQ-9000 program includes accredited producers 

and marketers, depending on which activity a firm specializes in. The firm—not the fuel—receives the accreditation, but the fuel supplied by either an accredited 

producer or a marketer must meet all applicable standards for sale and use in the United States. In January 

2016, the NBB reported that 53 BQ-9000–accredited 

producers accounted for more than 91% of the biodiesel 

produced according to their membership records.

To become an accredited producer, a firm must develop 

a system for monitoring the production of biodiesel 

through proper sampling, testing, storage, sample 

There are a variety of statements about biodiesel use 

from engine and/or vehicle manufacturers, some of 

which refer to the warranty. Engine and vehicle manufacturers provide warranties covering materials and 

workmanship on their products. Such warranties do not 

necessarily cover damage caused by external conditions. 

Fuels are not covered under these terms. Federal law 

prohibits the voiding of a warranty just because biodiesel was used. The biodiesel would need to be shown 

as the cause of the failure. If an engine experiences a 

failure caused by biodiesel use (or any other external 

condition, such as bad diesel fuel), the damage will not 

necessarily be covered by the OEM’s warranty.

All known engine OEMs have approved the use of biodiesel blends up to B5 as long as the biodiesel meets the 

retention, and shipping protocols. These protocols 

must be rigorously followed and meet the appropriate 

program requirements. A certificate of analysis must be 

generated for each production lot with a unique identification code and analytical results from a sample (see 

a sample certificate of analysis in Appendix D). Testing 

must include at least the following parameters of the 

current ASTM specification: visual appearance, free 

and total glycerin, monoglycerides, water and sediment, 

cloud point, acid number, sulfur, oxidative stability, 

Cold Soak Filterability, and alcohol control (by either 

methanol content or flash point). The producer must 

also ensure the transport vehicles are clean and of 

appropriate construction for distributing biodiesel. 

The certified marketer must either purchase B100 from 

an accredited producer or conduct full fuel quality 

testing on all biodiesel purchased from non-accredited 

producers. The certified marketer must also maintain 

storage and distribution procedures that protect the 

biodiesel’s quality, while monitoring the accuracy of 

any biodiesel blend ratios. 

More specific information on all aspects of the BQ-9000 

Program can be found at bq-9000.org.

D6751 specification (or the European biodiesel specification, EN14214). More and more OEMs are recognizing higher blend levels, and several approve up to B100. 

Approval levels for biodiesel-blended fuels are separate 

from the warranties.

Damage directly attributable to biodiesel, or any other 

fuel, would not be covered by an engine OEM’s warranty, but may be covered by the fuel supplier’s general 

liability insurance. New biodiesel users should be sure 

their biodiesel suppliers provide liability coverage on 

the biodiesel and its blends. For an updated list of 

OEMs and their position statements, visit the NBB Web 

site at biodiesel.org/using-biodiesel/oem-information/

oem-statement-summary-chart or check the current 

owner’s manual for the equipment being operated.

BQ-9000 Program for Supply Chain Management

Engine and Vehicle Manufacturer Approvals
38 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Biodiesel is not necessarily exempt from federal excise 

taxes nor is it exempt from most state and local taxes. 

This means that biodiesel and biodiesel blends are typically taxed at the same rate as diesel fuel. Some states 

have passed legislation that either reduces fuel excise 

taxes or provides other incentives. For local exceptions, 

contact local tax authorities.

As part of EPAct, Congress created a renewable fuel 

standard (RFS)—a requirement that a certain amount 

of renewable fuel be used in the United States. The 

RFS was updated and increased in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. A Renewable 

Identification Number is used to track compliance with 

the RFS volumes and credits, trading, and compliance by obligated parties.31 Additional information 

is available at EPA’s Web site on the RFS: (epa.gov/

renewable-fuel-standard-program).

At the time of the writing of this document (2016), a biodiesel blender’s tax credit is available for blending diesel 

and biodiesel.32 This credit was retroactive for 2015 and 

is expected to expire at the end of 2016. 

If you are using biodiesel (B100 or any blend of biodiesel) in a vehicle that uses any public road, you are 

responsible for remitting federal, state, and local taxes 

on the fuel, including the biodiesel fraction, in a timely 

manner. This requirement applies to biodiesel you 

make yourself and to B100 that you purchase and use in 

your own operations. If you are blending B100 that you 

purchased and either using the B20 yourself or selling it 

to others, you are responsible for remitting the federal, 

state, and local taxes in a timely way. To clarify, most 

B100 is sold on a pre-tax basis, which leaves the blender 

or user responsible for collecting and remitting taxes. 

For most commercial blend users, the blenders have 

already included the taxes owed in the sale price of the 

fuel. Check your invoice or talk to your supplier if you 

have questions. The customer is responsible to ensure 

the taxes are paid.

The federal government may offer some incentives 

related to biodiesel, such as grant programs and investment opportunities. The U.S. Department of Energy’s 

Clean Cities Program maintains a Web site that summarizes federal, state, and local laws and incentives related 

to alternative fuels, including biodiesel. The site can be 

accessed at afdc.energy.gov/laws. Another good resource 

for information about federal incentives is the NBB 

Web site at biodiesel.org/policy/fueling-action-center/

tax-incentive-action-page. 

Off-Road Diesel

Biodiesel or petroleum diesel that is intended for offroad use (agriculture, power, boiler fuels, construction, forestry, or mining) is not subject to federal excise 

taxes. However, if it is sold for one of these tax-exempt 

purposes and no tax is collected, the Internal Revenue 

Service (Code of Federal Regulations Title 26, Part 

48.4082-1) requires that it be dyed with the dye Solvent 

Red 164 at a concentration spectrally equivalent to at 

least 3.9 pounds of the solid dye standard Solvent Red 

26 per thousand barrels of diesel fuel or kerosene.

Taxes and Incentives

31. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Program Overview 

for Renewable Fuel Standard Program.” Renewable Fuel Standard Program. epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program/

program-overview-renewable-fuel-standard-program.

32. Voegele, Erin. 2015. “Obama signs spending bill, tax 

extenders legislation.” Biomass Magazine December 21. biomassmagazine.com/articles/12704/

obama-signs-spending-bill-tax-extenders-legislation
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 39 

Neat biodiesel contains no hazardous materials and is 

generally regarded as safe. A number of studies have 

found that biodiesel biodegrades much more rapidly 

than conventional diesel. Users in environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands, marine environments, and 

national parks have taken advantage of this property by 

replacing toxic petroleum diesel with biodiesel.

Like any fuel, biodiesel will burn; thus, certain fire 

safety precautions must be taken as described in this 

section. Of much greater concern are biodiesel blends 

that may contain kerosene or petroleum diesel. Kerosene is highly flammable with a flash point of 38°C to 

72°C (100°F to 162°F). Diesel fuel is generally considered flammable—its flash point is 52°C to 96°C (126°F 

to 204°F). The flash point of biodiesel is required to be 

greater than 93°C (200°F), so is considerably less dangerous. However, biodiesel blends will have flash points 

in between diesel and biodiesel. The U.S. Department 

of Transportation considers a blend flammable and the 

Resource Conservation & Recovery Act of 1976 considers it to be ignitable if the flash point is lower than 60°C 

(140°F) or combustible if the flash point is 60°C to 93°C 

(140° to 200°F). 

Signs, Labels, and Stickers

No placards or warning signs are required for the transport of neat biodiesel. However, biodiesel blends with 

diesel and kerosene are required to be transported in 

placarded trucks if the flash point of the blend is lower 

than 93°C (200°F), according to federal Department of 

Transportation regulations. If the flash point is lower 

than 60°C (140°F), the liquid is considered flammable 

and the Hazard Class 3 flammable placard is required 

(see Figure 17). Between 60° to 93°C (140°F and 200°F), 

the liquid is generally considered Hazard Class 3 combustible, and the combustible placard shown in Figure 

16 is required for transport. 

Local fire regulations determine the requirements 

for signage on storage containers, but typically tanks 

containing fuels (including B100) must be labeled with 

National Fire Protection Association diamonds. The 

National Fire Protection Association diamonds will 

indicate whether the fuel is flammable or combustible.

Fire Safety Considerations

Neat biodiesel can be extinguished with dry chemical, 

foam, Halon, CO2, or water spray, although the water 

stream may splash the burning liquid and spread the 

fire. Oil-soaked rags can cause spontaneous combustion if not handled properly. Before disposal, wash rags 

with soap and water and dry in a well-ventilated area. 

Because biodiesel will burn if ignited, keep it away from 

oxidizing agents, excessive heat, and ignition sources. 

Safety, Health, and Environmental Issues

Figure 17. Placards for transport of combustible 

and flammable liquids
40 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Checklist for Installing B20 Dispensing Equipment 

or Converting Underground Storage Tanks

 Notify your installer to review the applicable 

codes (generally NFPA 30A or IFC 2012), then 

contact the local authority having jurisdiction 

(AHJ), usually the building code office or local 

fire marshal, to determine whether there are any 

local code issues that should be addressed.

 Notify the nearest fire department (and/or 

local first responders) that the site will soon be 

dispensing B20. Verify that fire extinguishers 

and other on-site safety equipment (necessary 

to respond to leaks, spills, fires, etc.) are B20 

compatible.

 Install UL listed B20 dispenser, hanging hardware, and shear valve. 

 Calibrate the dispenser meter at the time of conversion or new installation and two weeks later to 

verify meter accuracy with B20.

 Label the dispenser with all B20 logos, cautionary labels, and trade commission decals. Consider using hangtags, pump toppers, and other 

signage to educate your customers. Price sign 

inserts, curbside signs, and decals are available 

from industry associations.

 Train site operators and emergency response personnel responsible for this location on biodiesel 

fuel safety procedures and the differences relative 

to diesel.

Underground Tanks

 Notify your UST insurance carrier to determine 

whether it has additional requirements for B20 

fuels.

 Obtain an amended insurance certificate showing 

coverage of B20 storage and dispensing.

 If using an existing tank, clean the tank of all 

water and sediment. Ensure no water is present, 

to protect the quality of your B20 fuel and your 

customers’ vehicles (see API Publication 2015, 

“Cleaning Petroleum Storage Tanks,” and NFPA 

326, “Standard for the Safeguarding of Tanks 

and Containers for Entry, Cleaning, or Repair,” 

2010 Edition).

 Ensure all visible fittings and connections at the 

top of the tank are tight (no vapors escape, and 

no water enters).

 Ensure the sump and spill containment covers 

will prevent water from entering the system. 

Identify the B20 fill port and paint the access 

cover according to API RP 1637. Make certain 

transport drivers cannot make fuel deliveries to 

the wrong fill pipe.

 Conduct a precision test of the tank system (0.1 

gallon/hour leak rate) with an automatic tank 

gauging system within seven days after the tank 

is filled, to confirm the integrity of the system 

and that the leak detection equipment is operating properly. Report any fail results as required 

by the AHJ.

Maintenance

 Check for water regularly. Ensure that no water 

is contaminating your fueling system. If water 

is suspected or detected, track down its source 

and fix the problem immediately. The best way to 

guard against contamination is to properly clean 

and maintain the fueling system. Confirm no 

leaks exist in the tank fill cap and containment 

reservoir before beginning your B20 operation.

 If the product seems to pump slowly, check 

and replace filters. Persistently clogged filters 

could indicate moisture or another source of 

contamination.
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 41 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to modify my vehicle to use biodiesel?

Based on user experience, no vehicle modifications appear to be necessary for blends of biodiesel 

as high as 20% biodiesel mixed with diesel fuel. 

Higher blend levels may require minor modification to seals, gaskets, and other parts. Tank and 

fuel line/fuel filter heaters (arctic packages) are 

recommended for blends higher than 20% biodiesel. 

Detailed long-term engine durability data have not 

been established for B20 in the United States, so 

good maintenance practices are recommended. 

Do I need to modify my dispensing equipment to 

use biodiesel?

Dispensing equipment does not need to be modified 

for blends of 20% biodiesel or lower, unless there is 

an issue with specific elastomers that are not compatible with B20. Occasional fuel filter plugging has 

been reported, and some people filter the biodiesel 

fuels entering or leaving the tank. Some exposed 

parts of the dispensing systems may need protection 

from freezing in cold climates. Some people recommend tank cleaning before switching to B20 fuels.

How do biodiesel (B20 and B100) emissions 

compare to diesel emissions? 

With NTDEs, vehicle emissions do not change 

regardless of the fuel burned in the engine. The 

emission control devices are equally efficient with 

biodiesel and diesel fuel and their blends. In older 

engines not equipped with these advanced emissions controls, there may be differences in emissions. For these older engines (pre-2007), carbon 

monoxide, hydrocarbons, and PM will be reduced 

with increasing biodiesel blend level. There is 

still considerable debate about the effect of 

biodiesel on NOx emissions from these older 

technology engines. 

How much biodiesel is used and produced in the 

United States? 

In 2011, the biodiesel industry produced over 1 

billion gallons for the first time in history. By 2015, 

domestic consumption was over 2 billion gallons. 

What is biodiesel made from?

Biodiesel can be made from a variety of renewable 

sources such as plant oils (soybeans or other crops), 

recycled cooking grease, and/or animal fats. These 

feedstocks are used to manufacture a mixture 

of chemicals called fatty acid methyl esters, also 

known as FAME (biodiesel).

Which feedstock is best?

Each feedstock can produce a high-quality B100, 

but with slightly different properties, especially 

cloud point, cetane number, and oxidative stability. Cost may also factor into the selection process. 

Most operational differences seen with B100 are 

reduced when B20 is used. Any remaining differences can be managed with additives or diesel fuel 

blending strategies. 

Is biodiesel the same as renewable diesel? 

No, while biodiesel and renewable diesel are both 

processed from fats and oils, the production process 

differs greatly. The biodiesel production process 

produces FAME, while renewable diesel is generally alkanes (hydrocarbons) produced through 

hydroprocessing. 

Does biodiesel affect how my engine operates?

Biodiesel blends of 20% or lower should not noticeably change engine performance. 

What are the OEMs’ approvals for biodiesel?

In most cases, biodiesel alone is not enough to void 

an OEM warranty. With more and more OEM 

approvals for B5, B20, and B100, the use of biodiesel 

in diesel engines is becoming commonplace. The 

warranty offered by your OEM covers materials 

and workmanship; it does not cover damage by 

external conditions like poor quality fuel (whether 

biodiesel or diesel fuel). Federal law prohibits the 

voiding of a warranty just because biodiesel was 

used—it has to be the cause of the failure. If an 

engine experiences a failure caused by biodiesel 

(or any other external condition, such as bad diesel 

fuel), it will not be covered by the OEM’s warranty. 

OEM approvals for biodiesel blends and blend 

levels vary and can be found on the NBB Web site 

(biodiesel.org).
42 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Information Resources

Can I use biodiesel in a cold climate?

User experience with cold weather varies. B20 

blends are used in some very cold climates such as 

northern Minnesota and Wyoming, where temperatures routinely fall below -34°C (-30°F) in the 

winter. B20 was used in an airport shuttle fleet for 

four years in Boston with no problems. Cold flow 

additives are applicable to the diesel portion in 

biodiesel blends.

Some users have reported using B100 in extremely 

cold climates. Widespread experience with higherlevel blends and B100 in cold climates is lacking 

in the United States, so users should be alert to 

potential problems and take reasonable steps to 

prevent them. 

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has many 

resources available for biodiesel users. Their website 

is www.biodiesel.org; general information can also be 

obtained by calling: 1-866-BIODIESEL. A selection of 

relevant information on the NBB site is given below:

biodiesel.org/what-is-biodiesel/biodiesel-basics

biodiesel.org/what-is-biodiesel/reports-database

biodiesel.org/using-biodiesel/guide-to-buying-biodiesel 

The Biodiesel Automotive Technician Training 

Program provides information for technical experts in 

the use and repair of vehicles using biodiesel: 

biodieselautomotive.org/

U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science and 

Technical Information is a great resource for biodiesel 

research conducted by the national laboratories and 

their contractors:

osti.gov/scitech/search/semantic:biodiesel/

filter-results:F

NREL also has technical documents at:

nrel.gov/research/publications.html

The EPA has information about its Renewable Fuel 

Program at:

epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program 

The U.S. Department of Defense cites ASTM in its 

fuels specifications. For more information, consult 

MIL-STD-3004D. 

You can also contact your Clean Cities representative, 

biodiesel suppliers, and others for information.
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 43 

Glossary

FAME: Fatty acid methyl esters. A mono alkyl ester of 

long-chain fatty acids from naturally occurring 

plant oils, animal fats, and recycled greases.

Fatty acid: Any of the saturated or unsaturated monocarboxylic acids that occur naturally in the form of 

triglycerides (or mono- or diglycerides) or as free 

fatty acids in fats and fatty oils.

Flash point: The lowest temperature at which vapors 

from a fuel will ignite when a small flame is applied 

under standard test conditions.

Free fatty acids: Any saturated or unsaturated monocarboxylic acids that occur naturally fats, oils, or 

greases but are not attached to glycerol backbones. 

These can lead to high acid fuels and require special 

processes technology to convert into biodiesel.

Hydrocarbon: A compound composed of hydrogen and 

carbon. Hydrocarbons can refer to fuel components 

and to unburned or poorly combusted components 

in vehicle exhaust.

Induction period: The period of time before oxidation products form as biodiesel begins to age and 

degrade.

Kerosene: A refined petroleum distillate of which different grades are used as heating oil, blended into 

diesel fuel, and as fuel for aviation turbine engines.

Lubricity: The ability of a fuel to mitigate wear on 

metal-metal contact surfaces.

Microbial contamination: Containing deposits or suspended matter formed by microbial degradation of 

the fuel.

NTDE: A new technology diesel engine manufactured 

after 2010, with advanced emission control systems 

for reduction of PM, NOx, hydrocarbons, and 

carbon monoxide emissions.

Oxidation: Loosely, the chemical addition of oxygen to 

a molecule.

Oxidative stability: The ability of a fuel to resist oxidation during storage or use.

Additive: Material added in small amounts to finished 

fuel products to improve certain properties or 

characteristics.

Antioxidant: Substance that inhibits reactions promoted by oxygen.

Biodiesel: Methyl esters of fatty acids meeting the 

requirements of ASTM Specification D6751.

Biodegradable: Capable of being broken down by the 

action of microorganisms.

Boiling range: The spread of temperature over which a 

fuel or other mixture of compounds distills.

Cetane index: An approximation that correlates with a 

diesel fuels aromatic content based on an empirical 

relationship with density and volatility parameters 

such as the mid-boiling point; widely mistaken as 

an approximation of cetane number. This approximation is not valid for biodiesel or biodiesel blends.

Cetane number: A measure of the ignition quality of 

diesel fuel based on ignition delay in an engine. The 

higher the cetane number, the shorter the ignition 

delay and the better the ignition quality.

Cloud point: The temperature at which a sample of 

a fuel just shows a cloud or haze due to crystals 

when it is cooled under standard test conditions, as 

defined in ASTM D2500.

Energy Conservation Reauthorization Act: The Energy 

Conservation and Reauthorization Act of 1998 

amended EPAct to allow qualified fleets to use 

B20 in existing vehicles to generate AFV purchase 

credits, with some limitations. 

Elastomer: A rubber-type material frequently used in 

vehicle fuel systems (but not necessarily natural or 

synthetic rubber; may also apply to other polymers).

Energy content: The heat produced on combustion of 

a specified volume or mass of fuel; also known as 

heating value or heat of combustion.

EPAct: Energy Policy Act of 1992. Title III provides 

incentives to promote the use of alternative fuel 

vehicles in transportation.
44 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Oxygenate: A fuel component that contains oxygen, 

e.g., biodiesel or ethanol.

PM: Particulate matter. The solid or semi-solid 

compounds of unburned fuel that are emitted 

from engines.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids: Fatty acids with more 

than one double bond.

Pour point: The lowest temperature at which a fuel will 

just flow when tested under standard conditions as 

defined in ASTM D97.

Renewable diesel fuel: A diesel fuel most closely associated with production from the hydrotreating of 

renewable feedstocks, such as fats and oils.

Saturation or saturated compound: A paraffinic 

hydrocarbon or fatty acid, i.e., with only single 

bonds and no double or triple bonds.

Solvent: A liquid capable of dissolving another 

substance to form a solution. A solution is a 

homogeneous mixture composed of two or 

more substances.

Specific gravity: The ratio of the density of a substance 

to the density of water.

Splash blending: The fuels to be blended are delivered 

separately into a tank truck.

Stratification: Separation into layers.

Storage stability: The ability of a fuel to resist 

deterioration in storage due to oxidation.

Torque: A force that produces rotation.

Viscosity: A measure of the resistance to flow 

of a liquid.
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 45 

Safety Data Sheet(SDS)

Page 1 of 8

Product Identifier: Methyl Esters (SDS 100-US) Version #: 20150521

Section 1 – Chemical Product and Company Identification

Product identifier: Methyl Esters

Other means of identification

Synonyms: Biodiesel, B100, methyl soyate, soy methyl esters (SME), rapeseed methyl esters (RME), canola 

methyl esters (CME), corn oil methyl esters, methyl tallowate, fatty acid methyl esters, fatty acid 

alkyl esters.

Recommended use: Fuel, solvent, cleaning agent, heating oil, blend stock

Restrictions on use: Not intended for direct human consumption

Supplier information:

Emergency phone number: Chemtrec: (800) 424-9300

Section 2 – Hazard(s) Identification

Classification (in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1200)

Hazard Class Hazard Category Route of Exposure

Skin Irritation Category 2 (irritation) Absorption

Eye Irritation Category 2B (mildly irritating) Absorption

Signal word: WARNING

Pictograms:

 

Hazard Statements: Causes skin and eye irritation

Hazards not otherwise specified: None identified

Precautionary statements

Prevention: Wear appropriate protective gloves, protective garments, and eye protection. Avoid breathing mists and 

sprays. 

Response: If on skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water. Take off contaminated clothing and wash it before reuse.

If skin irritation or rash occurs, get medical advice. 

If in eyes: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. 

Continue rinsing. If irritation persists: Get medical attention.

Storage: Store in cool tightly closed container

Disposal: Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations.

Appendix A: Sample Biodiesel Safety Data Sheet
46 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Safety Data Sheet(SDS)

Page 2 of 8

Product Identifier: Methyl Esters (SDS 100-US) Version #: 20150521

Section 3 – Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name Common Name & Synonyms CAS number % of product

Unsaturated methyl esters Methyl Esters, biodiesel 67762-26-9 100%

Section 4 – First Aid Measures

First aid measures for exposure

Inhalation: Move to fresh air

Eyes: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. 

Continue rinsing. If eye irritation persists: Get medical attention.

Skin: Wash affected skin with soap and water. 

Take off contaminated clothing and wash it before reuse.

Ingestion: Rinse mouth out with water. If feeling unwell, seek medical attention.

Most important symptoms / effects

Acute: May cause eye and skin irritation.

Delayed / Chronic: No information available

Indication of immediate medical 

attention and special treatment 

needed, if necessary:

No special treatment identified. Treat symptomatically and supportively.

Section 5 – Fire Fighting Measures

Suitable extinguishing media: Water mist, firefighting foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or clean extinguishing agents (such as 

Halon or Halotron)

Unsuitable extinguishing media: Do not use a solid water stream, as it may scatter and spread the fire

Specific hazards arising from the 

chemical:

May burn if heated, but does not readily ignite.

Materials saturated with this product, such as oily rags, used oil dri, soaked insulation pads, etc., may 

spontaneously combust due to product decomposition in the presence of oxygen. Place all such 

materials into appropriate oily waste containers (such as metal cans with metal lids or oily waste 

dumpsters with lids), and dispose of according to local, state, and federal regulations.

Hazardous combustion products 

include:

Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons

Protective equipment and precautions 

for firefighters:

Incipient stage fires may be controlled with a portable fire extinguisher. For fires beyond the incipient 

stage, evacuate all unnecessary personnel. Emergency responders in the immediate area should wear 
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 47 

Safety Data Sheet(SDS)

Page 3 of 8

Product Identifier: Methyl Esters (SDS 100-US) Version #: 20150521

standard firefighting protective equipment, including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and 

full bunker gear. In case of external fires in proximity to storage containers, use water spray to keep 

containers cool, if it can be done safely. Prevent runoff from entering streams, sewers, storm drains, 

or drinking water supply.

 

Section 6 – Accidental Release Measures

Personal precautions, protective 

equipment, and emergency 

procedures:

Keep all sources of ignition away from spill. Wear protective garments, impervious oil resistant boots, 

protective chemical-resistant gloves, and safety glasses. If product has been heated, wear appropriate 

thermal and chemical protective equipment. If splash is a risk, wear splash resistant goggles and face 

shield. Shut off source of spill, if safe to do so. Contain spill to the smallest area possible. Isolate 

immediate hazard area and remove all nonessential personnel. Prevent spilled product from entering 

streams, sewers, storm drains, unauthorized treatment drainage systems, and natural waterways. 

Place dikes far ahead of the spill for later recovery and disposal. Immediate cleanup of any spill is 

recommended. If material spills into or upon any navigable waters and causes a film or sheen on 

the surface of the water, immediately notify the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.

Methods for containment and clean-up

Small spill / incidental release: Small spills can be cleaned up with a properly rated vacuum system, absorbent inert media (oil dri, 

sand, or earth), or absorbent pads. Use soapy water or degreaser to remove oily residue from the 

affected area, then rinse area with water. Place saturated materials in an appropriate oily waste 

container (metal can with a metal lid or an enclosed oily waste dumpster), and dispose of according to 

local, state, and federal regulations.

Large spill / release: A spill remediation contractor with oil booms and skimmers may be needed for larger spills or spills 

that come into contact with a waterway or sensitive wetland. Recover as much product as possible by 

pumping it into totes or similar intermediate containers. Remove any remaining product with a 

properly rated vacuum system, absorbent inert media (oil dri, sand, or earth), or absorbent pads. Use 

soapy water or degreaser to remove oily residue from the affected area, then rinse area with water. 

Place saturated materials in an appropriate oily waste container (metal can with a metal lid or an 

enclosed oily waste dumpster), and dispose of according to local, state, and federal regulations.

Other information: Materials saturated with this product, such as oily rags, used oil dri, soaked insulation pads, etc., may 

spontaneously combust due to product decomposition in the presence of oxygen. Place all such 

materials into appropriate oily waste containers (such as metal cans with metal lids or oily waste 

dumpsters with lids), and dispose of according to local, state, and federal regulations.

 

Section 7 – Handling and Storage

Precautions for safe handling: When transferring product, use pipes, hoses, and tanks that are electrically bonded and grounded to 

prevent the accumulation of static electricity. 

Conditions for safe storage, including 

incompatibilities:

Keep away from strong oxidizing agents, strong reducing agents, strong acids, and strong bases. Store 

the product in a cool dry place, in a tightly closed container. Storage tanks should have an 

appropriate ventilation and pressure relief system.

 
48 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Safety Data Sheet(SDS)

Page 4 of 8

Product Identifier: Methyl Esters (SDS 100-US) Version #: 20150521

Section 8 – Exposure Controls / Personal Protection

Precautions for safe handling: When transferring product, use pipes, hoses, and tanks that are electrically bonded and grounded to 

prevent the accumulation of static electricity. 

Component exposure limits: There were no OSHA PELs or ACGIH TLVs for this product.

Appropriate engineering controls: Keep product enclosed in primary containment (hoses, pipes, tanks, etc.) to avoid contact with skin. 

Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practices.

Personal protective equipment

Eyes / face: Wear safety glasses. If splash potential exists, use splash resistant goggles and a face shield.

Skin: Wear disposable nitrile or other similar chemical-resistant gloves for incidental contact. For more 

substantial contact, wear thicker nitrile or other similar chemical-resistant gloves. Wear protective 

garments, such as a chemical apron, chemical resistant coveralls, or chemical resistant coat and pants, 

along with impervious oil-resistant boots. Remove soaked protective equipment, decontaminate with 

soapy water, and rinse thoroughly before reuse. Note: product will cause natural rubbers to degrade 

at a very rapid rate. Such protective equipment will need to be carefully inspected after 

decontamination to see if it is still in serviceable condition. Any defective or worn out equipment 

should be immediately discarded.

Respiratory: No exposure limits are available, but appropriate organic vapor or supplied air respiratory protection 

may be worn if irritation or discomfort is experienced. Respiratory protection must be provided and 

used in accordance with all local, state, and federal regulations.

 

Section 9 – Physical and Chemical Properties

Physical State: Liquid Color: Water white to pale yellow to 

brown if undyed

Odor: Mild oily or animal fat odor Odor Threshold: No available information

pH: Not applicable Melting/Freezing Point: -1°C to 20°C / 30°F to 68°F

Boiling Point/Range: >280°C / 536°F (at 1 atm) Flash Point: >110°C / >230°F (ASTM D93)

Evaporation Rate: No available information Flammability (solid/liq): No available information

LFL: No available information UFL: No available information

Vapor Pressure: No available information Vapor Density: No available information

Relative Density: 0.87-0.89 @ 25°C VOC: No available information

Solubility (H20): Negligible Solubility (other): No available information

Auto Ignition Temp.: No available information Decomposition Temp.: No available information

Viscosity: 3.8-5.0 cSt @ 40°C Partition coefficient (n-octanol/water) : No available information

 

Section 10 – Chemical Stability and Reactivity Information

Reactivity: When handled and stored appropriately, no dangerous reactions are known

Chemical stability: Stable in closed containers at room temperature under normal storage and handling conditions
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 49 

Safety Data Sheet(SDS)

Page 5 of 8

Product Identifier: Methyl Esters (SDS 100-US) Version #: 20150521

Possibility of hazardous reactions: When handled and stored appropriately, no dangerous reactions are known

See Sections 5 and 6 regarding spontaneous combustion of product-saturated absorbent materials.

Conditions to avoid: Ignition sources, accumulation of static electricity, heating product to its flash point, or allowing the 

product to cool below its melting point (otherwise it may solidify and not be transferable until it is 

reheated).

Incompatible materials: Keep away from strong oxidizing agents, strong reducing agents, strong acids, and strong bases.

Hazardous decomposition products: Carbon oxides, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons

Section 11 – Toxicological Information

Likely routes of exposure: Absorption, ingestion, and inhalation

Symptoms

Inhalation: Coughing or irritation

Eye contact: Redness or irritation and tearing

Skin contact: Redness or irritation

Ingestion: Nausea, vomiting, or feeling unwell

Acute toxicity

Oral: LD50 >17,500mg/kg (rat) estimated

Dermal: LC50 >2000mg/kg (rat)

Inhalation: No available information

Skin corrosion / irritation: (rat) after 24 hr exposure, some irritation which subsided within 12 – 14 days

(human) after 24 hr exposure, some minor irritation (less than that of a 4% soap & water solution)

Serious eye damage / eye irritation: Industrial experience has shown that product in the eyes can cause redness and irritation which 

subsides within 7 days.

Sensitization (Respiratory or Skin): No available information

Germ cell mutagenicity: No available information

Carcinogenicity: Not listed as a carcinogen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA

Component carcinogenicity: No available information

Reproductive / developmental toxicity: No available information

Specific target organ toxicity

Single exposure: No available information
50 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Safety Data Sheet(SDS)

Page 6 of 8

Product Identifier: Methyl Esters (SDS 100-US) Version #: 20150521

Repeated exposure: No available information

Aspiration hazard: No available information

Section 12 – Ecological Information

Acute ecotoxicity - short-term exposure

Fish: 48hr LC50 (rainbow trout) 2.8-4.6 ug/L

96hr LC50 (bluegill) >1000mg/L

Invertebrates: LC-50 (Daphnia Manga) 23 ppm

Long Term Exposure (Fish & algae): NOEL >100mg/L (fish, invertebrate, and algae)

Persistence and degradability: Product is biodegradable in aerobic conditions (90% biodegraded within 23 days)

Bioaccumulative potential: There is a potential for bioaccumulation of this product

Mobility in soil: No available information

Other adverse effects: See section 5 & 6 regarding spontaneous combustion of materials that are soaked in this product

 

Section 13 – Disposal Considerations

Disposal (waste / unwanted product): This material, as supplied, is not a hazardous waste according to Federal regulations (40 CFR 261). 

This material could become a hazardous waste if chemical additions are made to this material, or if 

the material is processed or otherwise altered. Consult 40 CFR 261 to determine whether the altered 

material is a hazardous waste. Consult the appropriate local, state, regional, or federal regulations for 

additional requirements.

Disposal (containers with residue): Dispose of all containers with residue according to local, state, regional, and federal regulations.

Section 14 – Transport Information

UN number: Not Regulated as a hazardous material

UN proper shipping name: Not Regulated as a hazardous material

Transport hazard class: Not Regulated as a hazardous material

Packing group: Not Regulated as a hazardous material

Marine pollutant: ☐Yes ☒ No

Transport in bulk requirements: Not Regulated as a hazardous material

Special transportation precautions: Not Regulated as a hazardous material
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 51 

Safety Data Sheet(SDS)

Page 7 of 8

Product Identifier: Methyl Esters (SDS 100-US) Version #: 20150521

Section 15 – Regulatory Information 

Inventory Listings

TSCA ☒ Listed ☐ Exempt

DSL ☒ Listed ☐ Exempt

U.S. Federal Regulations

SARA 313: Section 313 of Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA). This product contains the following

chemical(s) subject to the reporting requirements of the Act and Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 372:

None

SARA 311/312 Hazard Categories:

 Acute Health Hazard ☐Yes ☒No 

 Chronic Health Hazard ☐Yes ☒No

 Fire Hazard ☐Yes ☒No

 Sudden Release of Pressure Hazard ☐Yes ☒No

 Reactive Hazard ☐Yes ☒No

Clean Water Act: This product contains the following chemical(s) regulated as pollutants pursuant to the Clean Water Act (40 CFR 122.21 and 40 

CFR 122.42): 

None

CERCLA: This material, as supplied, contains the following chemical(s) regulated as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive 

Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) (40 CFR 302) or the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) 

(40 CFR 355). There may be specific reporting requirements at the local, regional, or state level pertaining to releases of this material. 

None

U.S. State Regulations

California Proposition 65: 

☒ This product does not contain any Proposition 65 chemicals.

 

U.S. State Right-to-Know Regulations:

No State Listed
52 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Safety Data Sheet(SDS)

Page 8 of 8

Product Identifier: Methyl Esters (SDS 100-US) Version #: 20150521

Section 16 – Other Information

Issuing Date: 

Revision Date: 

Version #: 

Revision Note: Updated format and information to meet the requirements of the Global Harmonization Standard

WARNING: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS MATERIAL. IMPROPER USE OR MISHANDLING CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THIS PRODUCT 

CONTAINS SUBSTANCES WHICH, IF MODIFIED, MAY BE FLAMABLE AND MAY BURN OR EXPLODE IF HEATED OR EXPOSED TO FLAME OR OTHER 

IGNITION SOURCE OR WATER, OXIDIZING AGENTS, ACIDS OR OTHER CHEMICALS. AVOID INGESTION, INHALATION AND CONTACT WITH SKIN AND 

EYES.

Disclaimer: 

The information provided on this SDS is correct to the best of our knowledge, information and belief at the date of its publication. The 

information given is designed only as a guide for safe handling, use, processing, storage, transportation, disposal and release and is not to 

be considered as a warranty or quality specification. The information relates only to the specific material designated and may not be valid for 

such material used in combination with any other material or in any process, unless specified in the text.

End of SDS

NFPA 704 Ratings

Health Hazard: 1

Flammability: 1

Instability: 0

Other: -
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 53 

Appendix B: Biodiesel Use as an EPAct Alternative Fuel

One biodiesel fuel use credit, which is counted as one 

AFV acquisition, is allocated to fleets for the purchase 

of 450 gallons of neat biodiesel for use in medium- and 

heavy-duty diesel vehicles. The biodiesel must be neat 

(B100) or in blends that contain by volume at least 20% 

neat biodiesel (B20). Fleets are allowed to use these 

credits to fulfill up to 50% of their EPAct requirements. 

(Biodiesel fuel providers can meet up to 100% of their 

requirements through biodiesel fuel use credits.) These 

credits can be claimed only in the year in which the fuel 

is purchased for use and cannot be traded between fleets. 

For further information, visit the EPAct Web page at 

eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/epact/index.html. 

EPAct was passed by Congress to reduce the nation’s 

dependence on imported petroleum by requiring certain 

fleets to acquire AFVs, which can operate on nonpetroleum fuels. For the vast majority of fleets, compliance 

with EPAct is met by credits awarded for the acquisition 

of AFVs.

The Energy Conservation Reauthorization Act 

amended EPAct to allow credit for B20 use. The U.S. 

Department of Energy published its Biodiesel Fuel Use 

Credit final rule on January 11, 2001, allowing covered 

fleets to meet up to 50% of their EPAct requirements 

through the purchase of B20 or higher blends of biodiesel fuel for use in medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
54 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Appendix C: Biodiesel Materials Compatibility Summary Tables

Table C-1 continued on next page

diesel in B5 or B2 have no noticeable effect on materials 

compatibility. If in doubt, contact the manufacturer for 

more information about the compatibility of specific 

materials with biodiesel fuels or fatty methyl esters (see 

Table C-1).

Neat biodiesel is not compatible with certain elastomers, metals, and plastics that are commonly used with 

petroleum diesel. Generally (but not always), biodiesel 

blends of 20% or lower have a much smaller effect on 

these materials; the very small concentrations of bioElastomers

Table C-1. Elastomer Compatibility with Biodiesel

Material Compatibility with Fresh, Unoxidized Methyl Oleate 

Unless Noted Reference

Buna-N Not recommended 3,4

Butadiene Not recommended 2

Butyl Mild effect 2,4

Chemraz Satisfactory 4

Ethylene propylene (EPDM) Moderate effect 2,4

Fluorocarbon Satisfactory 2,4,5

Fluorosilicon Mild effect; increase swelling 1

Fluorosilicone Mild effect 2,4

Hifluor Satisfactory 2

Hypalon Not recommended 2,4

Natural Rubber Not recommended 2,4

Neoprene Not recommended 3,4

Neoprene/Chloroprene Not recommended 2

Nitrile Not recommended 1,2

Nitrile, high aceto-nitrile Mild effect with B20, swelling and break strength affected 5

Nitrile, hydrogenated Not recommended 2,4

Nitrile, peroxide-cured Mild effect with B20, swelling and break strength affected 5

Nordel Moderate to severe effect 3

Nylon Satisfactory 1

Perfluoroelastomer Satisfactory 2

Polypropylene Moderate effect; increased swelling, hardness reduced 1

Polyurethane Mild effect; increased swelling 1

Styrene-butadiene Not recommended 2,4

Teflon Satisfactory 1,3,4
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 55 

Table C-1 (cont.). Elastomer Compatibility with Biodiesel

Material Compatibility with Fresh, Unoxidized Methyl Oleate 

Unless Noted Reference

Viton Satisfactory; type of cure affects compatibility with oxidized biodiesel see specific types of Viton below 1,3

Viton A-401C Satisfactory with fresh RME; not recommended for oxidized blends B20 and above 6

Viton F-605C Satisfactory with fresh RME; not recommended for oxidized blends B20 and above 6

Viton GBL-S Satisfactory with RME and with all oxidized blends 6

Viton GF-S Satisfactory with RME and with all oxidized blends 6

Wil-Flex Moderate to severe effect 3

RME = rapeseed methyl ester

1. Bessee, G.B. and J.P. Fey. Compatibility of Elastomers and Metals in Biodiesel Fuel Blends. SAE 971690. 1997.

2. Parker O-Ring Handbook, Parker Hannifin Corporation, O-Ring Division, Lexington, KY, 2007. 

3. Chemical Resistance Guide, Wilden Pump & Engineering Co., Grand Terrace, CA, 2005.

4. O-Ring Chemical Compatibility Guide, Custom Rubber O-Ring Mfg., Accessed November 2, 2015. efunda.com/designstandards/oring/

oring_chemical.cfm

5. Terry, B., R.L. McCormick, M. Natarajan. “Impact of Biodiesel Blends on Fuel System Component Durability.” SAE 2006-01-3279, 2006.

6. Thomas, E., R.E. Fuller, K. Terauchi. “Fluoroelastomer Compatibility with Biodiesel Fuels,” SAE 2007-01-4061, 2007.

Metals 

Certain metals may affect the biodiesel by accelerating its oxidation process and creating fuel insolubles. 

Lead, tin, brass, bronze, and zinc significantly increase 

sediment formation in both B100 and B20. Galvanized 

metal and terne-coated sheet metal are not compatible 

with biodiesel at any blend level.
56 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

UL Standards

Table C-2. UL Biodiesel Testing Standards for Refueling Equipment

UL Testing 

Standard Equipment Covered Biodiesel Test Fuel Blends in UL Standard

UL 58 Underground Steel Tanks No test fuels

UL 1316 Underground Fiberglass Tanks No biodiesel test fuels

UL 80 Aboveground Combustible Liquid Fuel Tanks - 

Heating Oils

No test fuels in UL 80, but UL 

2258 for nonmetallic tanks 

requires B25a & B100a

UL 971 & UL 971A Underground Pipes and Pipe Fittings No biodiesel test fuels

UL 2447

Sumps: tank, dispenser, transition, fill/vent (spill 

buckets) types

Sump fittings: penetration, termination, internal, test 

and monitoring types

Sump accessories: covers/lids, frames, brackets, 

chase pipes

Requires B25a test fluid. 

UL 2583

Part I Vapor Control Products: emergency vents, 

pressure vacuum vents, fill and vapor adaptors, 

and monitor well caps 

Part II Liquid Control Products: overfill prevention 

devices (for fill pipes) with drop tube extractor tee, 

jack screw, & seal adapter options; flow restriction 

devices (for vent pipes), and overfill containment 

devices 

Requires B25a test fluid. 

UL 2039 Flexible connector pipes with underground, sump & 

aboveground rating options

B25a test fuel required with 

B100a test fuel option 

UL 87B Diesel, biodiesel & diesel/biodiesel blend dispensers B25a test fuel required with 

B100a test fuel option 

UL 25B Diesel, biodiesel & diesel/biodiesel blend meters B25a test fuel required with 

B100a test fuel option 

UL 79B Diesel, biodiesel & diesel/biodiesel blend pumps B25a test fuel required with 

B100a test fuel option 

UL 330B Diesel, biodiesel & diesel/biodiesel blend hoses and 

hose assemblies

B25a test fuel required with 

B100a test fuel option 

UL 331B Diesel, biodiesel & diesel/biodiesel blend filters and 

strainers

B25a test fuel required with 

B100a test fuel option 

UL 428B Diesel, biodiesel & diesel/biodiesel blend submersible 

turbine pumps

B25a test fuel required with 

B100a test fuel option 

UL 567B Diesel, biodiesel & diesel/biodiesel blend breakaways, swivels, pipe connection fittings

B25a test fuel required with 

B100a test fuel option 

UL 842B Diesel, biodiesel & diesel/biodiesel blend shear valve 

(emergency shut-off valve)

B25a test fuel required with 

B100a test fuel option 

UL 2586B Diesel, biodiesel & diesel/biodiesel blend nozzles B25a test fuel required with 

B100a test fuel option 
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 57 

Tank Manufacturer Compatibility

Table C-3. Tank Manufacturer Compatibility with Biodiesel Blends

Manufacturer B100

Fiberglassa

Containment Solutions ✓

Owens Corning ✗

Xerxes ✓

Steelb

Acterra Group Inc. ✓

Caribbean Tank Technologies Inc. ✓

Eaton Sales & Service LLC ✓

General Industries ✓

Greer Steel, Inc. ✓

Hall Tank Co. ✓

Hamilton Tanks ✓

Highland Tank ✓

J.L. Houston Co. ✓

Kennedy Tank and Manufacturing Co., Inc. ✓

Lancaster Tanks and Steel Products ✓

Lannon Tank Corporation ✓

Mass Tank Sales Corp. ✓

Metal Products Company ✓

Mid-South Steel Products, Inc. ✓

Modern Welding Company ✓

Newberry Tanks & Equipment, LLC ✓

Plasteela ✓

Service Welding & Machine Company ✓

Southern Tank & Manufacturing Co., Inc. ✓

Stanwade Metal Products ✓

Talleres Industriales Potosinos, S.A. de C.V. ✓

Tanques Antillanos C. x A. ✓

Watco Tanks, Inc. ✓

We-Mac Manufacturing Company ✓

Letters stating compatibility:

a. PEI pei.org/ust-component-compatibility-library

b. STI steeltank.com/Publications/E85BioDieselandAlternativeFuels/ManufacturerStatementsofCompatibility/tabid/468/Default.aspx
58 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Table C4 continued on next 3 pages

Underground Equipment

Table C-4. Underground Equipment

Company Product Model Biodiesel 

Compatibility

Manufacturers introduce and discontinue models over time. If you do not see your equipment on this list please 

contact the manufacturer. Note, “X” in these lists can be substituted for any value.

Federal code requires compatibility of this equipment with specific fuels. This is achieved through either thirdparty listing or a letter from the manufacturer stating compatibility. If a specific manufacturer or model is not in 

the list, please contact the manufacturer directly to determine compatibility. Compatibility letters are available 

at: pei.org/ust-component-compatibility-library.

Bravo Systems Fiberglass fittings Series F, FF, FPE, FR, Retrofit-S, D-BLR-S, 

D-INR-S, FLX, FLX-INR, FPS, TBF B100

Bravo Systems Spill buckets B3XX B100

Bravo Systems Tank Sumps & covers B4XX B100

Bravo Systems Transition sumps B5XX, B6XX, B7XX, B8XX B100

Bravo Systems Under dispenser 

containment sumps B1XXX, 7XXX, B8XXX, B9XXX B100

Brugg Piping FLEXWELL-HL, SECON-X, NITROFLEX, LPG B100

Cimtek Filter

200, 250, 260-10, 260-30, 260AHS, 260HS, 

300-02, 300-10, 300-30, 300HS, 400-02, 

400-10, 400-30, 400HS, 800-02, 800-10, 

800-30, 800HS

B20

Cimtek Filter

260BHG, 260BMG, 300BHA, 300BMG, 

300MB, 400BHA, 400BMG, 400MB, 450-10, 

450-30, 475XL-10, 475XL-30, 450HS-10, 

450HS-30, 475XLHS-10, 475XLHS-30, 

800BHA, 800BHG, 800BMG

B100

Franklin Fueling Other UST equipment

Franklin has third-party certified equipment compatible 

with biodiesel blends. Contact manufacturer for specific 

part numbers.

Franklin Fueling Piping

Franklin has third-party certified equipment compatible 

with biodiesel blends. Contact manufacturer for specific 

part numbers.

Husky Pressure vacuum vents 4620, 4885, 5885, 11730, 11735, 11740, 

450MG-10, 475XLMB-10 B20

Morrison Bros. Overfill prevention valve 9095S B20

Morrison Bros. Anti-syphon valve 912 B100

Morrison Bros. AST adaptor 927 B100

Morrison Bros. Ball valves 691BSS B100

Morrison Bros. Clock gauges 818 B100
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 59 

Table C4 continued on next 2 pages

Table C-4 (cont.). Underground Equipment

Company Product Model Biodiesel 

Compatibility

Morrison Bros. Clock gauge with alarm 918 B100

Morrison Bros. Combination 

vent/overfill alarm 922 B100

Morrison Bros. Drop tubes 419A, 539TO, 539TC B100

Morrison Bros. Emergency vents 244 B100

Morrison Bros. Expansion relief valve 076DI, 078DI B100

Morrison Bros. External emergency valves 346DI, 346FDI, 346SS, 346FSS B100

Morrison Bros. Flame arrestor 351S B100

Morrison Bros. Frost proof drain valve 128DIS B100

Morrison Bros. In-line check valve 958 B100

Morrison Bros. Internal emergency valves 272DI, 72HDI B100

Morrison Bros. Overfill alarm 918TCP B100

Morrison Bros. Overfill prevention valve 9095A-AV, 9095SS B100

Morrison Bros. Series cap 305C B100

Morrison Bros. Solenoid valves (3”, must 

be all-Teflon version) 710SS B100

Morrison Bros. Spill containers 515/516/517/518 B100

Morrison Bros. Swing check valves 246ADI, 246DRF B100

Morrison Bros. Vapor recovery adaptor 323 B100

Morrison Bros. Vapor recovery caps 323C B100

Morrison Bros. Vent-pressure vacuum 548, 748, 749 B100

Morrison Bros. Vent-updraft 354 B100

National Environmental Fiberglass Sumps and accessories all B100

NOV Fiberglass Piping RedThread IIA, Ameron Dualoy B100

NUPI Piping Smartflex B100

OMEGAFLEX Piping DoubleTrac (stainless steel fittings) B100

OPW AST anti-siphon valve 199ASV B20

OPW AST check valve 175, 1175 B20

OPW AST emergency 

shut off valve 178S B20

OPW AST emergency vent 201, 301 B20

OPW AST mechanical gauge 200TG B20
60 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Table C4 continued on next page

Table C-4 (cont.). Underground Equipment

Company Product Model Biodiesel 

Compatibility

OPW AST spill container 211-RMOT, 331, 332 B20

OPW AST swing check valve all B20

OPW AST tank alarm 444TA B20

OPW AST vapor adaptor 1611AVB-1625 B20

OPW AST vapor cap 1711T-7085-EVR, 1711LPC-0300 B20

OPW Ball float vent valve 53VML, 30MV B20

OPW Check valve 70, 70S B20

OPW Dispenser sumps & 

accessories FlexWorks B20

OPW Drop tube 61FT B20

OPW Extractor fittings and plug 233, 233VP B20

OPW Face seal adaptor 

(threaded riser adaptor) FSA B20

OPW Fill adaptor-side 61AS B20

OPW Fill adaptor-top 633T, 633TC B20

OPW Fill Cap 634TT-7085-EVR, 634LPC, 634TT-4000 B20

OPW Fill cap-side 62TT B20

OPW Fill-swivel adaptor 61SALP-MA, 61SALP-1020-EVR B20

OPW Flexible connectors FCxx B20

OPW Jack screw 61JSK, 71JSK B20

OPW Manhole Conquistador, Fiberlite, 104A, 104FG, 104C, 

6110,6120 B20

OPW Monitoring well cap kit 634TTM B20

OPW Monitoring well probe cap 62M, 116M, 62M-MA B20

OPW Multi-port spill 

containment 6511, 6421, 6511, 6521, 6561, 6571, Fiberlite B20

OPW Piping FlexWorks B20

OPW Piping FlexWorks, KPS, Pisces (discontinued) B20

OPW Pressure vacuum vent 523V, 623V B20

OPW Spill container (bucket) 1-2100, 1SC-2100, 1C-2100,1C-2200, EDGE 

(1-3100), ‘1-2105, 101-BG2100 B20

OPW Tank sumps & accessories Fiberlite, FlexWorks B20

OPW Transition sumps & 

accessories FlexWorks B20
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 61 

Table C-4 (cont.). Underground Equipment

Company Product Model Biodiesel 

Compatibility

OPW Vapor adaptor 1611AV, 1611AVB B20

OPW Vapor cap 1711T-7085-EVR, 1711LPC B20

OPW Vapor-swivel adaptor 61VSA-MA, 61VSA-1020-EVR B20

Veeder-Root Ground water monitoring P/N 794380-621, 794380-622, 794380-624 B20

Veeder-Root Interstitial and secondary 

containment monitoring 

P/N 794380-XXX, 794390-XXX, 847990-

00X, 857080-XXX, P/N 794380-321, 794380-

323, 794380-333, 794380-344, 794380- 345, 

794380-351, 794380-430

B20

Veeder-Root Continuous interstitial 

tank system P/N 857280-100, 857280-200, 857280-30X B100

Veeder-Root Electronic line leak 

detector Series 8484, 8590 B100

Veeder-Root Interstitial and secondary 

containment monitoring 

794380-344, 794380-345, 794380- 321, 

794380-351 B100

Veeder-Root Magnetostrictive Probe Mag Plus Series 8463XX, Mag Series 8473XX B100

Veeder-Root Red Jacket Maxxum Pump 410763-XXX (MXP300JX-XXX or 

MXP500JX-XXX) B100

Veeder-Root Tall tank probe Mag-FLEX 889560-XXX, MAGXL-XXX B100

Veeder-Root Vapor monitoring P/N 394390-700 B20

Western Fiberglass Co-flex piping all B100

Western Fiberglass Co-flow hydrostatic 

monitoring systems all B100

Western Fiberglass Cuff fittings all B100

Western Fiberglass Sumps (dispenser, tank, 

transition, vapor, vent) all B100
62 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • November 2016

Aboveground Equipment (Dispensers, Hanging Hardware, etc.)

Table C-5. Dispensers, Hanging Hardware, Shear Valves, Submersible Turbine Pumps

Company Product Model Biodiesel 

Compatibility

UL B20 Listed Equipment

Manufacturers introduce and discontinue models over time. If you do not see your equipment on this list, please 

contact the manufacturer. Note, X in these lists can be substituted for any value.

Franklin Fueling Shear valve Franklin has third-party certified equipment compatible with biodiesel 

blends. Contact manufacturer for specific part numbers.

Franklin Fueling Submersible 

turbine pump

Franklin has third-party certified equipment compatible with biodiesel 

blends. Contact manufacturer for specific part numbers.

Gilbarco Dispenser All Encore models since 1/1/2014 B20

Husky Breakaway 5812 Safe-T-Brake B20

Husky Nozzle VIII B20

Husky Swivel 4860 B20

OPW Breakaway 66V-030RF, 66V-130RF, 66V-135RF, 66RB-20RF B20

OPW Nozzle 7H models ending in -B20; 11A models ending in 

-B20; 11B models ending in -B20 B20

OPW Swivel 241TPS-75RF, 241TPS-10RF B20

OPW Shear valve 10P-0152 B20

Veyance Hose Flexsteel Futura B20

Wayne Dispenser Option on Ovation and Helix models. Contact Wayne 

for Specific model information. B20
November 2016 • Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Fifth Edition) • 63 

Appendix D: BQ-9000 Sample Certificate of Analysis

Property Value ASTM D6751 

Limit Units Test Method (current revision)

Cloud point: 0.0 (32) Report °C (°F) D5773

Free Glycerin: 0.005 0.020 max % mass D6584 

Total Glycerin: 0.140 0.240 max % mass D6584 

Monoglycerides1: 0.156 0.40 max % mass D6584 

Diglycerides1: 0.003 N/A % mass D6584 

Triglycerides1: 0.000 N/A % mass D6584 

Water & Sediment: 0.000 0.050 max % volume D2709

Acid Number: 0.20 0.50 max mg KOH/g D664

Visual Inspection1: 1 @ 75°F N/A Haze rating D4176, Procedure 2 

Oxidation Stability (110 °C): 9.1 3 min hrs EN 15751

Flash point (closed cup): 175 93 min °C D93 

Alcohol 

Control

Option 1: Methanol N/A 0.2 max % mass EN 14110

Option 2: Flashpoint 175 130 min °C D93

Moisture1: 0.025 N/A % mass D6304

Cold Soak Filtration: 99 360 max seconds D7501 

Sulfur: 0.1 15 max ppm (mg/kg) D5453

Sodium & Potassium Combined: 0.1* 5 max ppm (mg/kg) EN 14538

Calcium & Magnesium Combined: 0.1* 5 max ppm (mg/kg) EN 14538

Phosphorus: 0.0000* 0.001 max % mass D4951

Carbon Residue: 0.000* 0.050 max % mass D4530

Sulfated Ash: 0.005* 0.020 max % mass D874

Kinematic Viscosity at 40 °C: 4.101* 1.9–6.0 mm2/sec D445

Copper Corrosion (3 hrs at 50 °C): 1a* No. 3 max N/A D130

Distillation at 90% Recovered: 352* 360 max °C D1160

Cetane Number: 47.7* 47 min N/A D613

1. These tests are not necessarily a part of the ASTM D6751 specifications

* This value is the most recently acquired result for this product from this plant. This test is performed periodically

Biodiesel Certificate of Analysis

Lot Number:

Prepared By:

Name Title

Location Date
Cover photos, clockwise from top: National Biodiesel Board; 

United Soybean Board; United Soybean Board

Clean Cities Technical Response Service

800-254-6735

technicalresponse@icfi.com

To view this and other Clean Cities publications 

online, visit cleancities.energy.gov/publications.

Prepared by the National Renewable Energy 

Laboratory (NREL), a national laboratory of the 

U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy 

Efficiency and Renewable Energy; operated by 

the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC. 

DOE/GO-102016-4875 • November 2016