Sylvie Willis
Biodiesel trucks have been used by North American truck fleets for over two decades. Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable alternative fuel made from a mix of modified vegetable oils and diesel fuel. It is typically blended with diesel fuel and designated by the amount of diesel in the mix. For example, B20 is a fuel that is 20% biodiesel and 80% diesel. While biodiesel is typically blended with diesel fuel, it can be used in its pure form, B100, with some fleets running on higher blends. However, there are some concerns about the impact of using biodiesel on engine performance and durability.
Can you use diesel fuel in a biodiesel truck?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Biodiesel blends | B5, B7, B20, B100 |
| Biodiesel composition | Modified vegetable oils and diesel fuel |
| Biodiesel performance in cold conditions | Worse than petroleum diesel |
| Biodiesel issues | Material compatibility, oil dilution, fuel injection equipment, emission control system |
| Biodiesel benefits | Renewable, biodegradable, sustainable, operational benefits |
| Diesel benefits | Good for the engine, better fuel economy |
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What You'll Learn
Biodiesel trucks can use regular diesel fuel
Biodiesel has been used in North American truck fleets for over two decades, and it can be used in the same fuel storage tanks and infrastructure as ultra-low-sulfur diesel. While biodiesel is rarely used in its pure form, any diesel vehicle can run on B100 when ambient temperatures are not too low. In colder climates, a vehicle's fuel tank can be upgraded to a split tank, with a smaller section for diesel and a larger section for biodiesel that can be heated.
Regular diesel is typically used on startup to avoid potential cold-flow issues, and the system automatically switches to 100% biodiesel when the programmed temperature threshold is reached. At shutoff, the truck switches back to diesel to prepare for the next cold start. Biodiesel can offer operational, sustainability, and cost benefits, and it is becoming more competitive as conventional fuel prices rise.
While biodiesel has benefits, there are also some concerns when transitioning from existing systems. Biodiesel has higher lubricity, which can prevent premature fuel system wear and tear, but it can also release deposits on tank walls and pipes, causing fuel filter clogs. The EPA recommends changing fuel filters after the first tank of biodiesel. Additionally, biodiesel's performance is worse than petroleum diesel in cold conditions. Before using biodiesel, it is important to check your OEM engine warranty to ensure that higher-level blends of biodiesel are approved.
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Biodiesel is typically blended with diesel
Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable alternative fuel made from a mix of modified vegetable oils and diesel fuel. It is most commonly blended with petrodiesel or diesel to a percentage of less than 10%, as most engines cannot run on pure biodiesel without modification. The blend percentage of biodiesel is indicated by a "B" factor, with B100 representing pure biodiesel and blends like B20 containing 20% biodiesel and 80% diesel.
Biodiesel blends are commonly used in the retail diesel fuel marketplace, with blends of 20% biodiesel and lower requiring no or only minor modifications to diesel equipment. Biodiesel can also be used in its pure form (B100), but this may require certain engine modifications to avoid maintenance and performance problems. Blending B100 with diesel can be achieved through various methods, including mixing in tanks at the manufacturing point, splash mixing in a tanker truck, or in-line mixing.
Biodiesel offers several benefits, including a reduction in regulated gas emissions, such as carbon monoxide and particulate matter, when compared to diesel. It is also a renewable resource that can be grown domestically, reducing dependence on foreign oil. Additionally, biodiesel can be used in the same fuel storage tanks and dispensing infrastructure as ultra-low-sulfur diesel, making it a convenient alternative.
While biodiesel has been used by North American truck fleets for over two decades, concerns about its environmental impact, such as land use changes and deforestation, have been raised. Additionally, operational problems due to the high viscosity of vegetable oils in biodiesel have been reported, leading to issues with fuel atomization and deposits in injectors, combustion chambers, and valves. However, these problems can be mitigated through modifications and blending with diesel.
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Biodiesel is more expensive than regular diesel
Pure biodiesel is rarely used, and it is typically blended with diesel fuel. Biodiesel blends are designated by the amount of diesel they are mixed with, with B5, for example, being 5% biodiesel and 95% diesel. Biodiesel is blended at a rate of 5% or less into almost all the diesel fuel sold in the United States. Many fleet and commercial vehicles use B20, which is a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum.
Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable alternative fuel made from a mix of modified vegetable oils and diesel fuel. It is the U.S. government's preferred fuel type due to its lower emissions and the national drive to reduce reliance on petroleum. Biodiesel emits 11% less carbon monoxide and 10% less particulate matter than diesel. It also reduces net carbon dioxide emissions by 78%. Unlike petroleum diesel, biodiesel is nontoxic and does not contain sulfur or carcinogenic benzene.
Running a moderate biodiesel blend in a diesel engine may provide slightly better fuel economy and acceleration than conventional diesel, while costing about the same. Biodiesel blends can be used in diesel engines without needing any modifications. However, there are concerns about the quality and long-term effects of biodiesel on diesel vehicles. Biodiesel also has worse performance than petroleum diesel in cold conditions.
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Biodiesel is worse in cold conditions
Biodiesel can be used in diesel trucks, but it has some drawbacks in cold conditions. Biodiesel tends to gel or freeze at higher temperatures than conventional diesel, which can cause engine performance issues and even damage the engine. This is because biodiesel has a narrower range of temperatures between the cloud point (CP) and the pour point (PP). The cloud point is the temperature at which small crystals form in the fuel as it cools, while the pour point is the lowest temperature at which the fuel will flow when the container is tipped. The difference between these two points is important because it indicates the range of temperatures at which the fuel can be used. Biodiesel often has a difference of only a few degrees between the cloud point and pour point, while petroleum diesel may have a difference of 20 degrees.
The cloud point and pour point of biodiesel depend on the type of oil or fat used to make it. For example, soy biodiesel has a cloud point of about 1°C, while biodiesel made from animal fat or waste oils can have a significantly higher cloud point. If a customer is not careful to select the right biodiesel feedstock, the fuel may gel unexpectedly in cold weather.
To improve the performance of biodiesel in cold weather, fuel-line heaters, in-tank fuel heaters, insulated fuel filters and fuel lines, and storing diesel-powered equipment in heated buildings can be used. Some additives and processing methods can also lower the cloud point and pour point of the fuel. For example, "winterization" is a process that can reduce the cloud point of soybean biodiesel to -7.1°C, but it results in a yield loss of 26%.
Overall, while biodiesel can be used in diesel trucks, it may not be the best choice in cold conditions due to its tendency to gel or freeze at higher temperatures. This can cause engine performance issues and even damage the engine, especially in regions with very cold climates such as the Northern United States and Canada.
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Biodiesel is better for the environment
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel with numerous environmental benefits. It is a great alternative for diesel users as it is a cleaner-burning option that can be used in diesel engines without modification. Biodiesel is non-toxic and biodegradable, and its use can decrease greenhouse gas emissions by up to 86%. It lowers particulate matter by 47% and reduces hydrocarbon emissions by up to 67%reduction in smog.
The production of biodiesel also has a positive environmental impact. It reduces wastewater by 79% and hazardous waste by 96% when compared to the production of petroleum diesel. Biodiesel has a higher energy balance than other fuels, with soybean biodiesel yielding 4.56 units of energy for every unit of fossil energy consumed over its life cycle.
In addition to its environmental benefits, biodiesel offers operational advantages. It can improve the lubricity of diesel fuel, even at low levels, and can be used in the same fuel storage tanks and dispensing infrastructure as ultra-low-sulfur diesel. Biodiesel is also more cost-competitive than people might expect, with state-level incentives bringing the cost down further.
While some opponents argue that the environmental promises of biofuels are overblown, biodiesel has been shown to offer significant advantages over traditional diesel. Biodiesel can be used in existing pipelines, storage tanks, trucks, ships, and airplanes, making it a cost-effective and readily available alternative.
Regarding the question of using diesel fuel in a biodiesel truck, it appears that it is possible to use diesel in a biodiesel truck without causing any damage to the engine. However, biodiesel trucks are designed to run on biodiesel, and using regular diesel may eventually lead to issues. Biodiesel is generally considered better for the environment and offers improved performance and sustainability.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use diesel fuel in a biodiesel truck. In fact, biodiesel is often blended with petroleum diesel. For example, B20 is a fuel that is 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel.
Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable alternative fuel made from a mix of modified vegetable oils and diesel fuel. It offers sustainability benefits and can be more cost-effective than regular diesel.
Biodiesel can cause issues with material compatibility, lubricating oil dilution, fuel injection equipment, and exhaust aftertreatment devices. It can also perform worse than petroleum diesel in cold conditions.
Yes, any diesel vehicle can run on B100 when ambient temperatures aren't too low. However, for year-round operation in colder climates, an upgrade to the vehicle's fuel tank is required.
Biodiesel is blended at a rate of 5% or less into almost all diesel fuel sold in the United States. However, it is rarely used in its pure form due to compatibility issues.
