Fuel Blends

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Fuel Blends - Biodiesel

Biodiesel is a domestically-produced, renewable fuel that acts like petroleum diesel, but produces significantly less air pollution, is renewable, is biodegradable and is safe for the environment. Biodiesel can be used in virtually any diesel engine, with no or few considerations to be addressed. This includes diesel-powered cars, trucks, tractors, boats, and electrical generators.

Biodiesel is a mono-alkyl ester-based oxygenated fuel, produced from a variety of renewable resources, including waste vegetable oils, cooking oil, soybean oil and animal fats. The use of biodiesel displaces imported petroleum, reduces air pollution and greenhouse gases, and also supports U.S. farmers by providing a market for agricultural crops used to produce biodiesel.

An ASTM standard, D6751, has been developed to ensure biodiesel quality.  Biodiesel is registered as a fuel and fuel additive with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  

Biodiesel can be used in its pure form or blended at any percentage with petroleum diesel fuel. "Neat" biodiesel, or B100, refers to pure 100 percent biodiesel. The most common blends are 20% (B20), 5% (B5) and 2% (B2). Engine performance is typically unaffected and there is generally no change in fuel economy when using a 20% blend or lower, and only minimal reductions when using B100 and high percentage blends. Biodiesel provides lubricity, so even at low blends it will reduce wear and tear on the engine.

Additional information on biodiesel is available through other pages of this website.

High-Percentage Blends:
The most commonly used form of biodiesel is a blend of 20 percent biodiesel with 80 percent petroleum fuel, referred to as B20.  The use of B20 is a balancing of the emissions benefits with the cost of the fuel and minimizing potential issues related to extreme cold weather, solvency and natural rubbers. B20 is also an attractive option as it qualifies for credits under the alternative fuel mandates in the Energy Policy Act (EPAct).

Low-Percentage Blends:
Even at low-percentage blends, biodiesel can provide significant benefits, while requiring few considerations in fuel handling and operation. 

Biodiesel can be used as a petroleum diesel fuel additive to provide increased lubricity.  Such an application is particularly valuable when using low and ultra-low sulfur diesel fuels, as the reduction sulfur levels results in decreased fuel lubricity.  Even at a low percentage blend, such as 2 percent, biodiesel will provide sufficient lubricity.  Using biodiesel in this manner eliminates the inherent variability associated with the use of other additives.  Also, because biodiesel is compatible with diesel engines at any blend, unlike other lubricity additives, an accidental increase of biodiesel will not be a cause for concern. The implementation of new EPA ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel regulations in 2006 provides a particular opportunity to promote the use of biodiesel as a lubricity additive.

While a 2% or 5% blend of biodiesel may seem like a minimal amount of fuel when looking at an individual fleet, the use of low-percentage blends can result in substantial petroleum fuel displacement when looking a broader scale. For example, a 2% blend of biodiesel in the Washington State diesel fuel supply would result in the use of approximately 14 million gallons of biodiesel.

Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition strategies:
Clean Cities strategies to promote low-percentage biodiesel blends include:

• Working with state and local governments to explore opportunities for programs to increase fuel blend use, with particular focus in relation to the 2006 federal ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel regulations.
• Working with fuel refiners, blenders, suppliers and stations to create the fuels and provide them to fleets and the public.

Additional Biodiesel Resources:

• The U.S. Department of Energy offers several resources and programs for additional information: Alternative Fuels Data Center; U.S. Department of Energy's Biomass Program and the EERE Information Center at 877-337-3463.

• Biodiesel: The Clean Alternative to Diesel Fuel   A fact sheet developed by the Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition that answers the most common questions about biodiesel, including How is Biodiesel Used? Does biodiesel affect fuel economy or engine performance? Are there any special handling or safety considerations?

• Biodiesel Handling and Use Guidelines   A field guide for biodiesel users and distributors, with information on biodiesel quality, blending, storage, safety, and incentives.  Available in hardcopy from the Alternative Fuels Data Center at 800-423-1363.

• Biodiesel: On the Road to Fueling the Future   Provides information on biodiesel lubricity, formulation, and handling, as well as success stories.  Prepared by the National Biodiesel Board.  Hardcopies available by calling 573-635-3893.

• Biodiesel Offers a Better Alternative to Petroleum Diesel   An overview of the technology, economics and health and environmental advantages of using biodiesel, plus success stories.  Hardcopies available from the Alternative Fuels Data Center at 800-423-1363.

• Biofuels for Your State   A 4-page overview of the economic and environmental benefits of building ethanol and biodiesel industries in your state and increasing the use of these fuels. Information provided includes benefits to agricultural sectors, job creation, benefits in greenhouse gas and air pollution reduction, and resources for additional information.

• Reporting Biodiesel Fuel Use Credits   This fact sheet from the U.S. Department of Energy provides details on how covered fleets can meet their Energy Policy Act (EPAct) alternative fuel vehicle purchase requirements through the use of biodiesel.

• Frequently Ask Questions About Biodiesel in Underground Storage Tanks   This focus sheet, developed by the Washington State Department of Ecology, provides information on: what is biodiesel, how do Washington's Underground Storage Tank Regulations apply, what if you change the use of a tank, and who to contact.