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Biodiesel Program |
Objectives: This project explores the issues associated with producing biodiesel from low-cost feedstocks, including animal rendering wastes and recycled cooking oils. Central research issues include modifications to production technology, cost tradeoffs, characterization and performance of the biodiesel fuel and blends with petrodiesel, and demonstration trials. In the early phases of this project, a research facility was envisioned, where various technological options could be explored. As the project evolved, a private entrepreneur volunteered to construct the facility to produce these experimental biodiesel fuels. The project is currently in Phase III.
Approach/Background: Project work has occurred in three phases as follows:
Laboratory tests will be conducted to establish the properties and characteristics of neat biodiesel from winter and summer yellow grease, beef tallow (edible and nonedible), pork lard, acidulated soapstock, soybean oil, and rapeseed oil. The project will establish data on fuel characteristics that can be used to support feedstock-neutral specifications for biodiesel.
The neat biodiesel will be blended with petrodiesel in 20:80 proportions for EPA emission testing using a DDC series 60 bus engine. The data gained will be used to develop a report for EPA. Columbus Foods of Chicago is constructing a production facility and will produce the fuels used in the demonstration portion of the project. Fuel field demonstrations will be done in cooperation with American Sightseeing—Chicago, a major transport operator with previous experience in biodiesel field trials. The company will provide six buses for biodiesel testing and two control buses. Each bus is expected to accrue 30,000 miles annually. The project hopes to stimulate production and further research activity for the industry.
Status/Accomplishments: The first phase of the project began in 1994. The second phase was completed in April 1997. The third phase was initiated in March 1997, and is off to a slow start. Columbus Food started plant shakedown in August 1997 and anticipates full production status for soy methyl esters by late 1997. Producing the waste grease and tallow/lard methyl esters may require further facility or process modifications. Chemol is preparing feedstocks for the engine testing component of the project, which should commence by late 1997. NOPEC has offered to supply the demonstration fuels until Columbus Food begins production. IGT is still negotiating with the initial demonstration fleet. Several other fleets are under consideration in case negotiations are unsuccessful.
Phase II produced a comprehensive report detailing the best method to meet the goals of the project. Selected biodiesel facilities in Europe are described in detail, and several economic feasibility scenarios are presented.
Publications and Presentations:
Objectives: Summarize the historical state of knowledge in microalgae research by documenting the selection of microalgae specimens and the genetic research associated with developing improved strains of microalgae.
Approach/Background: In FY 1996, DOE’s Aquatic Species Program was closed out and staff was laid off or reassigned. In FY 1997, the department asked NREL to develop a formal closeout document summarizing 18 years of research. Further, NREL needed to find a permanent depository for the microalgae collection that had been developed during the course of the program. To meet these requests, contracts were set with previous program staff and other industry experts to summarize project’s research and accomplishments.
Status/Accomplishments: The project was initiated in February 1997 and is scheduled to be completed by March 1998 with the transfer of the algae collection. The closeout report should be available by early 1998.
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Objectives:
Background: A lack of applicable test methods for oxidative stability needs to be resolved to recommend proper ASTM test methods and standards for biodiesel. At present, European and some U.S. engine manufacturers are using the iodine value as an indicator of oxidative stability. There is an ongoing industry dispute concerning the relative merits of these test methods, leading to the need to review test methods and recommend alternatives if appropriate.
Status/Accomplishments: Work in progress
Objectives: This project involves the establishment of a fuel distribution and marketing infrastructure for biodiesel in California's recreational marine market.
Approach/Background:
Status/Accomplishments: Work in progress
Objective: Policy makers and energy planners require information that describes the energy and environmental characteristics of producing biodiesel in the United States from soybean oil and diesel fuel from petroleum to make decisions and recommendations.
Approach/Background: Quantify and compare the comprehensive sets of environmental flows (to and from the environment) associated with both biodiesel and petroleum-based diesel, over their entire life cycles. The project has four phases:
Status/Accomplishments: A Biodiesel Working Group has been established that consists of private and government interests and includes USDA, DOE, EPA, the City of Chicago, the National Biodiesel Board, Exxon, ARCO Chemical, Cargill, Twin Rivers Technologies, the Energy and Environmental Studies Institute, and the American Petroleum Institute.
All data have been collected and preliminary results have been generated. The analysis is undergoing internal peer review among the principal investigators. A draft peer review report will be available by late 1997, and the project will be completed within 3 months after that.
Objectives: The main purpose of project is to promote the establishment of a biodiesel industry working group in the Philadelphia area.
Approach/Background: To establish a consortium of stakeholders from the Philadelphia area including (but not limited to) local universities, local city and state government entities, diesel refiners and distributors, local animal renderers and restaurant grease collectors, the National Biodiesel Board, and biodiesel producers. The project will coordinate activities of the consortium through a monthly newsletter and quarterly meetings.
Status/Accomplishments: Several newsletters have been produced and two meetings held to date
Publications and Presentations:
Objectives: This project provides technical support to NREL by representing biodiesel benefits while developing an agenda for premium diesel specifications and biodiesel’s potential roles in this market.
Approach/Background:
Status/Accomplishments: The ASTM/NCWM Joint Premium Diesel Task Force has finished deliberations and has passed on recommendations for premium diesel specifications and testing methods to the main body of the relevant organizations. Lubricity, which is biodiesel’s primary benefit in premium diesel blends, was not included in the task force’s list of premium diesel’s measurable characteristics, but was listed as a possible sixth specification if the industry can develop improved lubricity test methods. Current lubricity test methods are not accurate enough to distinguish between “average” diesel and premium diesel lubricity levels. It is hoped that the ASTM lubricity task force will take up this issue in future meetings, as this is an industry wide issue. NREL will proceed with developing the necessary data to show the lubricity benefits of biodiesel in low-level blends in FY 1998 to help producers penetrate this high-value market. Various letter reports describing progress in the ASTM/NCWM Premium Diesel Task Force meetings were provided during the course of the contract period. A rough draft of the “How To” guide has been submitted.
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Objectives: A three-way Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) was developed between NREL, the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), and the Fats and Protein Research Foundation (FPRF) to conduct a preliminary feasibility study of the potential of enzymatic processing of low-cost sources of lipids such as recycled cooking oils and animal fats with various alcohols as a first step in determining the commercial potential of this new technology for use in biodiesel and biolubricant production.
Approach/Background:
Status/Accomplishments: Researchers at USDA's Eastern Regional Research Center have conducted experiments to evaluate the performance characteristics of biodiesel made from various feedstock sources and combinations using enzymatic conversion processes. The project has also examined the use of additives to improve critical fuel parameters such as cloud point and pour point. FPRF, a nonprofit, private research organization, has supplied expertise on and samples from waste restaurant grease collection operations. NREL has taken the lead in developing a computer spreadsheet model of enzymatic biodiesel production to establish a baseline understanding of the costs involved.
Publications and Presentations:
Objectives: The purpose of this research is to develop a body of data for submission to EPA that describes the chemical and biological characteristics of vapor- and solid-phase particulate emissions to support the registration of biodiesel under 40 CFR 79, Section 211 (f) “Registration of Fuels and Fuel Additives.” Biodiesel fuels made from feedstocks other than soy oil are currently included in EPA's biodiesel registration, but EPA has requested data showing the actual chemical and biological characteristics of engine emissions from esters of non-soy fats and oil. No one knows if these data will be substantially similar or significantly different from SME.
Tasks involve performing cold start emission tests on five candidate biodiesel fuels and one reference fuel and certain unregulated emissions analysis on a 1990 Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine using a fixed-stand dynamometer. The test matrix includes periodic testing of a reference fuel to evaluate any engine drift.
Approach/Background: One group of toxicologically important compounds that may be present in diesel, and potentially in biodiesel exhaust emissions, are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their substitute derivatives nPAHs. Some PAHs and nPAHs are potent mutagens and carcinogens in laboratory animals and humans. Bioassay tests are also employed to determine the mutagenic potential of the particulate exhaust emissions. This research may be very timely as the current suit against California refineries and trucking associations progresses, which charges that diesel exhaust emissions are a health hazard. Previous research on RME and REE indicates that biodiesel may reduce the toxic nature of petroleum exhaust. NREL took advantage of several ongoing engine tests to collect data for this project.
CIFER portion of the project: This project takes advantage of ongoing research under the Multi-Feedstock Biodiesel Project, by placing a separate subcontract with CIFER to perform additional research. The previous IGT/ CIFER contract specified that CIFER run only hot transient tests on biodiesel blends made from waste grease and animal fats to minimize costs. Additional information on emissions has been requested since the initiation of that subcontract, and this project is designed to add funds to CIFER to perform the additional emissions analysis. Specifically, it requires CIFER to include cold transient tests, C1-C12 and aldehyde speciation, and additional particulate samples collection for bioassay analysis while conducting research to support the Multi-Feedstock Biodiesel Project. All biodiesel tested in this portion of the project are 20% biodiesel/80% test diesel blends.
NBB and Caterpillar portion of the project: NBB is working cooperatively with Caterpillar to collect emissions data from a 3406 D test engine at Caterpillar’s Peoria, Illinois, laboratory. NREL will support the UCD staff time and expenses necessary to collect sufficient quantities of particulate and SOF emissions for testing. NBB and Caterpillar share in the remainder to the engine testing costs. Only neat SME is tested in this part of the test.
University of California - Davis: UCD will conduct chemical analyses on the particulate and vapor emissions from SME from the Caterpillar testing and bioassay tests to determine the mutagenic potential of the particular emissions. USDA will also conduct bioassay analyses on the biodiesel blends used in the Multi-Feedstock Biodiesel Project, which include yellow grease, tallow, lard, soy, and acidulated soapstocks.
Status/Accomplishments: The project has just been initiated and will run through September 1998.
Publications and Presentations:
Objectives: To improve coordination and to focus future research NREL commissioned IRI to develop a summary of biodiesel research during the past 5 years. An ancillary intent of this report is to support the development of a strategic plan for DOE biodiesel research.
Approach/Background: Biodiesel research has expanded to many organizations in recent years, and the effort of determining who is doing what, and what remains to be done, is very time consuming for the industry research groups.
Status/Accomplshiments: The project is approximately 95% finished and is undergoing final peer review.
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Objectives: For many years, biodiesel research and demonstrations progressed without any concern over fuel quality. The industry held the belief that industrial-grade methyl esters were sufficient for fuel use. Over the years, it became evident that fuel quality was an extremely important issue, and NBB has moved to develop proposed ASTM standards for biodiesel. This project is the second step in institutionalizing fuel quality standards throughout the industry.
Approach/Background: NBB has decided to move forward with testing industry fuel samples against the proposed ASTM biodiesel standards, working with the producers to develop adequate fuel quality assurance programs within each company, and to “certify” producers to regularly meet fuel specifications. NREL has decided to move forward with a report that discusses the importance of fuel quality and fuel specifications from the consumer point of view, including contractual mechanisms for purchasing biodiesel on spec. This report will also include protocols for consumers and other entities in the fuel handling chain necessary for maintaining fuel quality all along the fuel distribution and storage process once biodiesel leaves the producer’s dock.
Status/Accomplishments: Project will begin in FY 1998 and conclude by June 1998.
Publications and Presentations:
Objectives: NREL will organize and hold a series of meetings with biodiesel stakeholders to determine the industry’s research and development objectives and needs. A draft strategic plan will be developed from these meetings and shared with the stakeholders for comment. A meeting may be held in conjunction with a biodiesel conference or NBB meeting to work out differences of opinion to the extent possible. A final report will be submitted to DOE and used to prioritize future DOE biofuels research agendas.
Approach/Background: In 1996, DOE closed out the microalgae component of the biodiesel project and drastically altered the direction of the remaining research at NREL. DOE may use this plan to develop research agendas and recommended budget levels for future years.
The NREL biodiesel project is currently directed toward supporting the commercialization of the biodiesel industry. Due to the limited amount of federal and private research funds available, the highest priority research activities must receive support, research must be coordinated whenever appropriate, and long- and short-term objectives must be adequately addressed. To assist that effort, both NBB and NREL have been working with other agencies and the biodiesel industry to improve the organization’s understanding of how the biodiesel industry will grow, where the major marketing opportunities are, and what the technical and regulatory barriers to biodiesel development are.
Status/Accomplishments: Several meetings have been held with producers, USDA, NBB, DOE and RBEP managers, and others to flesh out the major issues facing the biodiesel industry today. A draft strategic plan will be prepared by the end of 1997 for distribution and comment. A final strategic plan will be available by June 1998.
Publications and Presentations:
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File Created: October
13, 1997; Last updated: Thursday, 11-Nov-1999 10:23:28 EST