Biodiesel R&D at NR

Bob McCormick, Teresa Alleman, R

Wendy Clark, Bob Hayes, John Ir

Proc, Matt Ratcliff, Matt Thornto

Whitacre, Aaron William

DOE Technology Manager: Den

San Diego, CA

February 6, 2006

Presented at the National Biodiesel Conference & ExpoFebruary 5-8, 2006 in San Diego, CaliforniaNREL/PR-540-39538
Disclaimer and Government License

This work has been authored by Midwest Research Institute (MRI) under Contract No. DE-AC36-9Department of Energy (the “DOE”). The United States Government (the “Government”) retains anthe work for publication, acknowledges that the Government retains a non-exclusive, paid-up, irrevpublish or reproduce the published form of this work, or allow others to do so, for Government purNeither MRI, the DOE, the Government, nor any other agency thereof, nor any of their employeesor implied, or assumes any liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe any privately owned rig

specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otheimply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the Government or any agency thereof. Tauthors and/or presenters expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of MRI, the Dagency thereof. 

Acknowledgemen

• USDOE

– FreedomCAR and Vehicle Tech

• National Biodiesel Board• Cummins Engine Company
DOE/NREL Research Pri

•Determined in consultation with industry:

– Biodiesel 2007-2010 Work Group– NBB B20 Fleet Evaluation Team– ASTM Biodiesel Task Force and Stability Wo– Annual Biodiesel Technical Workshop (held – CRC AVFL Committe

e

•Represents substantial in-kind industry co
Research Priority Se

Based on voting at annual Biodiesel Technical Wo

Fuel Stability Fuel Quality and Quality Standards Cold Flow Long-Term Engine Durability Impacts In the Field Reducing NOx OEM 2007/2010 Technology (B20) Gl

ycerin Uses 

Production Technology 

Faster, Simpler Test Methods 

Basic R&D Low Cost, Hi

gh Volume Oils 

Boiler and Heatin

g Oil Research 

Lubricit

y 

Data Mine B20 Fleet Informatio

n 

Biodiesel Use in Fuel Cells Unre

gulated Emissions

Water SeparationStationar

y Power
Fuel Quality and Stab
Biodiesel Quality Surv

B100 and B20 Quality Surveys Conducte

•85% or more of samples meeting D6751•Significant issue identified with blending o•Report available for download: http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pd

New B100 Survey OngoingNew B20 Survey to be Initiated Shortly
2004 B100 Quality Survey Stab

Rancimat Induction Time, hr

Frequency

02468

1012141618

European Biodiesel Stability Standard

<1 1 - 2 2 - 3 3 - 4 4 - 5 5 - 6 6 - 7

•Rancimat test,EN•Measures inducti

acid formation – mfor start of deposit 

•Tests run severa

collection –may 
2006 Quality Survey Stability 

• Tests conduc

samples

• Indicate much 

stability

– Many samp

specificatio

– One third o

• Low stability s

biodiesel

<1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5-6 6-7 7-8 8-9 9-10

Rancimat Induction Time, hr

Frequency

02468

10

European BiodieselStability Standard, 6 hr minimum

Preliminary
Oxidation Stability R&D 

• General consensus on the need for 

specifications on stability:

– In B100 spec (D6751)– In stand-alone B20 spec– In D975 for 5% biodiesel blends

?

• The main R&D need is to relate stab

results to more real world scenarios
Ageing Scenarios

1. In storage and handling

– Applies to B100 and blends

2. In vehicle fuel tank

– Recirculation at low fuel level– Applies to biodiesel blends only

3. Ageing in high-temperature engine 

fuel system

– Deposit formation from unstable or 

pre-aged fuel

– Applied to biodiesel blends only
Expected Results

• Determine if accelerated tests are pre

scenario simulation results

• Determine if stability of B100 is predic

of B5 and/or B20 blends

– Anticipate that adequately stable B100 p

• If things work out, propose stability te

B100

– Will ensure stability of B100 during storag

– Will ensure stability of B5

• Propose separate stability requiremen
Long-Term Durability Im

Quantitative Fleet Eva
Boulder, Colorado, B20 Fleet 

http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/38364.pdf

• Comparative Operating Costs• 9 mechanically identical buses

– 2000 Orion V; Cummins ISM– 5 operated on B20, 4 on diesel– identical duty cycle, Boulder Skip 

Route

• Documenting mileage 

accumulation, fuel use, maintenance costs

• Future tests to document impact on 

lubricant, wear of engine components
Fuel Economy

Fuel Economy Comparison

0123456

Aug-04 Oct-04 Dec-04 Feb-05 Apr-05 

MPG

Diesel Group B20 Group
Maintenance Cost

Running Engine, Fuel System Maintenance 

Mile

$0.00$0.05$0.10$0.15$0.20

Aug-04 Oct-04 Dec-04 Feb-05 Apr-05 

$/mile

Diesel Group B20 Group
Biodiesel Bus Chas

Dynamometer Testi

•B20 vs. conventional diesel fuel•2 in-use buses tested (40,000 lb GVWR)•City Suburban Heavy Vehicle Cycle 

(CSHVC) at 35,000 lb inertia

•Cummins ISM 2000 Engine – No EGR

•Fuel economy reduction 

≈ 3%

•

Emission reductions (g/mile basis)

– PM 

≈ 18%

– HC 

≈ 29%

– CO 

≈ 24%

– NO

x

≈ 4% 

– statistical confidence > 99%

•Repeated with biodiesel from 2 

suppliers
Impact on NO

x Emiss
Newer Engines (2004 compliant): B20 = +4%, B

Typical Older Engines (thru 1997): B20 = +2%, B

Analysis for Pre-1998 Engines from EPA420-P-02-001, October 2002Analysis for newer engines, McCormick, et al., 

h

Biodiesel’s Effect on NO

x E

-Engine Data

ttp://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesan
Biodiesel’s Effect on NO

x E

-Vehicle (Chassis) D

• No consistent effect of biodiesel on NO

x

• NO

x emission changes are caused by test cycle and 

differences

Percent Biodiesel

20 40 60 

Percent Change in NOx Emissions

-20-15-10

-5

05

101520

Data from EPA report plus ad

ditional chassis data in public domain
Bottom Line on Biodiesel 

There are insufficient data, and insurepresentative data, to draw any coregarding the average effect of biodNOx emissions, even directionallyTesting of additional vehicles and engine
Biodiesel and Engine Tech

2007 and Beyond
2007 OEM Project

• Project Goal: Investigate the impact of B

2007 and later fuel system, engine, and etechnology

• Major tasks:

– Performance and Emission Control System du

vehicles (multiple platforms)

• Diesel Particle Filters• NO

x Selective Catalytic Reduction (Urea)

• Lean-NO

x Traps

– Fuel Injection Equipment Simulation– Fleet Evaluation

• Significant funding from NBB, DOE, and i

from stakeholder industries

– Manufacturers of Emission Controls Associatio
Diesel Particle Filter Perfo

•Heavy-duty FTP (engine dynamometer)•2002 Cummins ISB (EGR) with continuously rege
Closing Remarks

•Biodiesel is a significant sustainable energy resource •Poor understanding of oxidation stability is limiting de

specifications for blends 

– Being addressed in ongoing study

•Interim results show no difference in operating costs o

use of petrodiesel versus B20

– Much more in-use data are required to fully unde

•There are not sufficient data to say if B20 blends caus

to go up or down

– Additional vehicle testing data are being acquire

•Indications are that as little as 5% biodiesel increases 

in a DPF

•Major research need is testing of biodiesel in post-20

http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pubs_biodiesel.html