Bio-diesel in ULSD

I have read posts from other drivers all said there is some type of growth in the tanks. but there is some type of additive you can put in to counter act it.
I also recall speaking to drivers out on the road that have told me their companies dont alow them to fuel at locations with bio because of geling problems in winter months. this is all hear say though i have no personal exp.

 

Well, for International engines they say you can use up to 20% blend. BUT, if you have failure of some kind, and it is cause by the fuel, and the blend is 6% or more the warranty could be voided. O/O discretion.

SUBJECT ​

Biodiesel Fuel and Biodiesel Blends
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DESCRIPTION

This TSI applies to International® diesel engines, including International® MaxxForce™ diesel engines 2007-up model years.
This TSI contains policy and position statements for biodiesel fuel, biodiesel blends, recommendations for storage and use of biodiesel blends, warranty coverage, and the impact of biodiesel fuels on engine emissions.
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Policy and Position Statements

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Navistar, Inc. understands and supports customer interest in renewable fuel resources and recognizes the rapidly growing biodiesel industry and the availability of government incentives which promote biodiesel use.
Navistar agrees with the official position of the Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) on the use of biodiesel fuel. See www.enginemanufacturers.org, for more information.
Navistar's position regarding biodiesel blends is as follows:
Biodiesel Blends (up to B5)

Currently, all blends up to B5 have characteristics that are indistinguishable from diesel fuel. The revised diesel fuel standard ASTM D975-08a includes requirements for up to 5% biodiesel. Navistar approves of blends up to B5 provided that they meet all the requirements of the ASTM D975-08a standard. Quality biodiesel blends up to B5 should not cause engine or fuel system problems.
Biodiesel Blends (B6-B20)

Biodiesel blends B6-B20 have different characteristics than diesel fuel. B20 is used by fleets in the United States, because B20 balances performance, emission levels, cost, and availability. B20 is also the minimum blend level that qualifies as an alternative fuel, in compliance with the Energy Policy act of 1992. Blends lower than B20 are used regionally, depending on favorable tax incentives that vary from state to state.
Biodiesel blends B6-B20 are covered under the new ASTM D7467-08 standard (October 2008) that specifies all the characteristics of the finished fuel blends between 6 and 20 percent biodiesel for on-and-off-road diesel engine use. This standard should provide quality assurance and specification consistency for all blends delivered to the customers.
In addition, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has established a voluntary biodiesel BQ9000 Quality Management Program to train, certify, and accredit biodiesel producers and sellers. This program should significantly contribute to product quality and consistency in the emerging biodiesel industry. See www.nbb.org, for more information.
If customers want to use B6-B20 biodiesel blends, Navistar recommends the following:

• Biodiesel blends should meet the ASTM D7467-08 standard
• Biodiesel blends should be procured from a BQ9000 accredited producer or distributor.
• The customer should follow Navistar's recommendations for biodiesel blends described in this TSI.

Biodiesel Blends (over B20)

Navistar does not recommend biodiesel blends higher than B20; higher proportions of biodiesel in the blend can cause problems during engine operation.

Warranty Coverage

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Navistar unconditionally warrants use of biodiesel blends up to and including B5 blends meeting the ASTM D975-08a standard.
Use of B6-B20 blends in International® MaxxForce™ Diesel Engines 2007-up is at the discretion of the customer/operator and will not automatically void an engine warranty. However, if engine component failure can be directly attributable to use of a B6-B20 blend not provided by a BQ9000 certified fuel supplier, not meeting the ASTM D7467-08 standard or not used per recommendations in this TSI, Navistar may, at its option, deny warranty on the affected engine or engine component.

Biodiesel Fuel

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The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) defines biodiesel as a fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, designated B100.
Esters are oxygenated organic compounds that can be used in diesel engines, because some of their key properties are comparable to those in diesel fuel.
Raw or refined vegetable oil or recycled greases that have not been processed into biodiesel are not biodiesel and should be avoided.
Regardless of the biomass feedstock used to produce biodiesel B100 (neat), the final product must meet the requirements of the revised ASTM D6751-08 standard or European EN14214 specifications. As these standards may be revised, the final product must always meet the requirements of the current year version of the standards.
Soy Methyl Ester (SME) biodiesel, derived from soybean oil, is the most common biodiesel produced in the United States. Rape Methyl Ester (RME) biodiesel, derived from rapeseed oil, is the most common biodiesel produced in Europe. Collectively these fuels are sometimes referred to as Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME).
Biodiesel fuels are produced by a process called transesterification, in which various oils (triglycerides) are converted into methyl esters through a chemical reaction with methanol in the presence of a catalyst, such as sodium or potassium hydroxide. The by-products of this chemical reaction are glycerols and water, both of which are undesirable and need to be removed from the fuel along with traces of methanol, unreacted triglycerides and catalyst. Biodiesel fuels naturally contain oxygen, which reduces fuel stability during storage. Although biodiesel feedstock does not inherently contain sulfur, this element may be present in biodiesel fuel if contaminated during transesterification and storage.
B100 biodiesel may be blended with diesel fuel. Biodiesel blends are designated BXX, where XX represents the percentage of B100 in the biodiesel blend (e.g. B5, B20).
Recently, ASTM D6751-08 has been revised to include fuel stability criteria and measurement. Future revisions may be upcoming to improve the quality and cleanliness of B100.

Recommendations for Use of Biodiesel Blends

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Navistar recommends that users of B20 select a BQ9000 certified fuel supplier and request proof from the supplier that the fuel meets the ASTM D7467-08 standard. Fuels not meeting the standard may cause fuel system deposits, plugged filters, contaminated engine oil, and fuel degradation.
If providers and customers follow correct storage and maintenance procedures for fuel and equipment, blends up to B20 that meet the ASTM D7467-08 standard should perform satisfactorily in International® and International® MaxxForce™ diesel engines.
Navistar recommends the following :

• Storage tanks should be thoroughly cleaned of residue and microbial growth before storing biodiesel fuel and tanks should be inspected periodically for cleanliness. Residue, water or microbial growth will compound in stored biodiesel fuel, causing increased fuel deposits that clog fuel filters prematurely. Adding biocides will reduce microbial growth during storage, but this is not a substitute for cleaning storage tanks.
• Vehicle fuel tanks should be thoroughly cleaned and dried before using biodiesel blends.
• Since biodiesel blends tend to dissolve deposits in fuel tanks and fuel lines, new fuel filters should be installed on used engines, before using biodiesel blends.
• Install new fuel filter during every oil change (at half the normal service interval), when using biodiesel to improve water separation.
• Because biodiesel has a higher boiling point, check oil level more frequently and shorten oil change interval when fuel dilution raises the oil level under the following conditions:
  
  • Use of aftertreatment systems
  • Biodiesel blends closer to B20
  • Low Load usage
• For cold climate conditions, Navistar recommends that an appropriate fuel heater be installed.
• Water separation from biodiesel fuel blends is more difficult than water separation from diesel fuel. Users should be careful to prevent water from accumulating in the fuel system. If possible, an additional fuel filter/water separator should be installed in the fuel system to remove water.
• Biodiesel blends should be used within six months of the date of manufacture, because the oxidation stability of biodiesel is lower than diesel fuel.
• If equipment fueled with biodiesel is to be stored for more than three months, the fuel system should be drained, cleaned, and dried.
• Fuel system seals, used in 2006 and earlier engines may degrade prematurely. When replacing seals, Viton® seals or equivalent seals are recommended.
• The following materials should be monitored if older engines operate with biodiesel: Natural rubber, butyl rubber, nitrile, copper, tin, and lead. These materials can degrade prematurely and cause deposits that clog fuel lines and filters.

Impact of Biodiesel Blends on Engine Emissions

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B20 biodiesel blends are used in fleets in nonattainment areas to reduce visible smoke, particulate emissions, and diesel exhaust odor.
Biodiesel blends can reduce emission levels of HC (hydrocarbons) and CO (carbon monoxide); however, biodiesel blends may somewhat increase emission levels of NO X (oxides of nitrogen) in some engines.
Biodiesel blends, used in new, low emissions engines do not significantly affect emissions.
Tests have shown that biodiesel blends help the self-regeneration of diesel particulate filters.

 

I like the idea of renewable fuel sources, but I hear of too many problems with fuel getting gummed up, and growth in the tanks too. I think of blended fuels as being a problem, if not now, for sure later.

 

I've ran alot of the bio blended fuel and I've never had any algea growth in the tanks, but I have noticed that it seems to gel up a little quicker than regular diesel fuel.

 

Cummins has approved bio blends up to 20% with all engines above 2002. You can find brochures on this at any Cummins shop. No big fine print issues like with Navistar. They do mention the bio standards set by the National Biodiesel Board, but virtually all sources of bio comply with this standard. The biodiesel industry is not wanting another black eye like what happened in Minnesota a few years ago when bio was rushed to the pumps. And the big truck stop chains that have bio at the pumps do not want any problems coming back on them as well.

Bio will gel at a higher temp than regular ULSD. There is really no real difference if the blend is 5% or less. Also, it is best to use an anti-gel that claims specific use with bio blends. I have been running bio blends from 5% up to 20% for several years in the upper Midwest, year round, in my semi, ag tractor, and diesel Jeep. I have never had a fuel gel up even at -28F. Never had any filter issues as well. This might be because I have used bio blends since I bought my '06 International with ISX. Filter issues are usually due to the cleaning effect of biodiesel on fuel system. It will clean out the residue from tanks and lines and will cause a filter to plug up. Having a Davco filter will allow one to keep an eye on whether a filter is plugging up and change it out before it becomes a problem. A newer truck would have less risk of a filter clog. Older trucks probably will have to have a filter change out or two before settling down. I would avoid getting bio at a fuel stop that is just starting to offer it. They may not have prepped the tanks for bio and all the clean out caused by the bio will end up in fuel tanks and cause a filter plug problem. Since I primarily operate in the Midwest, I know all the locations that have been using bio for quite a while so there is no risk of a problem. Watch the bio fuel when you pump it. If it has a golden color or honey color, it is fine. if it has a brownish tint, stop the pump. A brownish tint is indicative of tank residue that is being cleaned out of the storage tanks. Let someone else take the risk.

 

In ULSD they removed most of the lubricity so that is where the biofuel comes in. It adds lubricity but does cause an algae growth. I use lucas bio-medic to help the issue. Only get fuel at busy places as older fuel usually has the problem. I use regular lucas fuel additive on a pretty normal basis and thaT helps with all the crap fuel but doesnt solve the algae problem. Dont use both lucas products at the same time, big no no. The only other thing to do is change all fuel filters on a regular basis as I do and carry some spares.

 

Also Bio-Diesel and Bio-Mass added to diesel are 2 different fuels.

Bio-Diesel has a light blue sticker on the pump and the Bio-mass added has an ornage sticker on the pump.

I can't say I have ever ran any bio-diesel that is from recycled cooking oils, but I had a very bad experience with Bio-mass added diesel fuel that is made from human/animal waste along with other organic plant materials that is pure crap in the fuel system. I will never fuel at a Flying J/Pilot again due to their changing over to this crappy fuel at all locations due to the government mandate they claim, but I feel they are just cutting cost on buying cheap fuel.