What Is Renewable Diesel Fuel?
Renewable diesel is a fuel usable as diesel motor fuel or heating oil. It can also be blended with petroleum-based diesel to meet the specific requirements of the end-user.
The Energy Act of 2005, which established standards for renewable fuel, defined it as a diesel fuel extracted from biomass using the thermal depolymerization process that meets the following requirements:
- Fuel and fuel additives registration requirements are established under Section 211 of the Clean Air Act.
- ASTM or the American Society of Testing requires D-975 (for petroleum diesel fuel) or D-396 (for home heating oil).
Typically, renewable diesel should not contain any sulfur. It should have at least 90% reductions in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable diesel fuel is a type of diesel produced from animal oils and fats, plant products, and waste oil grease.
Generally, renewable fuels are produced from plant or animal products or waste instead of fossil fuel sources. Good renewable fuels include:
- Ethanol made from sugar, starch seeds, or cellulosic materials
- Biodiesel (mono-alkyl esters)
- Non-ester renewable diesel
Uses of Renewable Diesel Fuel
Renewable diesel is used where it is most cost-effective. It can power generators, construction equipment, and ships, or replace heating oil.
In contrast to biodiesel, renewable diesel does not require blending with petroleum-based diesel fuel at any specific concentration.
Furthermore, it should meet all the specifications required for standard diesel fuels, including the cetane number and viscosity. Renewable diesel can be used in unmodified diesel engines without changes or modifications.
Process of Making Renewable Diesel
Renewable diesel fuel is made from oils, fats, waste, cooking oil, and grease that would otherwise go to landfills.
These oils and fats are then chemically processed into a hydrocarbon chain, later refined to improve stability and flashpoint.
Finally, the renewable diesel is blended with petroleum-based diesel fuel to meet the specifications of ASTM D975.
Renewable Diesel vs. Biodiesel
Biodiesel, a diesel fuel, is made from vegetable oils or animal fats. It can usually be used in unmodified engines, though some modern motor vehicle engines require special preparation by changing the injectors or piston rings.
Its production consumes more power than it yields because biodiesel has a positive energy balance. This is partially due to the inefficiency of the processes involved in making biodiesel and results from this fuel source's inherent nature.
On the contrary, renewable diesel does not need any changes or modifications to be made to the engine of a diesel-powered vehicle.
Renewable diesel can be used as heating oil, making it an efficient replacement for petroleum-based heating oil. Like biodiesel, renewable diesel is biodegradable and not harmful to soil or waterways.
Environmental Benefits of Renewable Diesel Fuel
Renewable diesel fuel has a positive environmental impact because it emits nearly 70% less greenhouse gas than traditional heating oil when blended with petroleum-based diesel fuel. It is also biodegradable.
In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, renewable diesel does not contain any sulfur, which reduces the formation of acid rain. The following are some of its additional benefits:
Availability of Renewable Diesel Fuel
Renewable diesel fuel is widely available, but its availability depends on the surrounding area.
For example, areas with prevalent landfills or a high concentration of fast-food restaurants can access renewable diesel fuel more readily than areas that do not have these features.
It can be purchased in different blends for specific uses.
The most common blend for stationary generators is B5, which contains 5% renewable diesel and 95% petroleum-based diesel.
For use in regular vehicles, commonly called light-duty, the most popular blend is B20. This contains 20% renewable diesel and 80% petroleum-based diesel.
B100 is the most popular blend in heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, buses, and construction equipment. It contains 100% renewable diesel fuel.
Key Takeaways
Renewable diesel fuel is produced from plant and animal oils, fats, and waste cooking oil and grease that would otherwise go to landfills.
Renewable fuels have lower emissions than petroleum-based diesel since they are blended with petroleum-based diesel fuel. They can power generators, construction equipment, and ships. They can also be used in place of heating oil.
It has many benefits over biodiesel: it can be used in 100% concentration, does not require upgraded refinery equipment to produce, has a cetane number of over 70, and burns more smoothly and efficiently in all vehicles that use diesel fuel.
Renewable diesel is widely available in different blends for specific uses. Many gas stations make this available or supp[ly it directly from the producer in bulk quantities.
FAQs
1. What is renewable diesel fuel?
Renewable diesel fuel is produced from plant and animal oils, fats, and waste cooking oil and grease that would otherwise go to landfills. Renewable diesel can be blended with petroleum-based diesel fuel.
2. What are the benefits of renewable diesel fuel?
It can be used in unmodified diesel engines without changes or modifications. Renewable diesel also burns cleaner than biodiesel and fossil fuel-based diesel since it is hydrogenated and does not need any additives for clean burning.
3. What are the limitations of renewable diesel fuel?
Although renewable diesel can be used in unmodified engines, some modern motor vehicle engines have to be specially prepared by changing the injectors or piston rings.
4. How is renewable diesel made?
Renewable diesel is created from plant oils and animal fats processed into a hydrocarbon chain similar to petroleum-based diesel fuel.
5. Who uses renewable diesel?
Renewable diesel is used in generators, construction equipment, and ships. It is also used as a heating oil replacement. Renewable diesel is used with biodiesel or other alternative fuels to produce cellulosic biofuels.
