Biodiesel: Fuel Source for Stationary Sources

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Biodiesel Fuel Source for Stationary Sources

• Stationary Combustion Sources Workgroup Meeting
• August 9, 2005
• Serpil Guran Ph.D.
• NJDEP-DSRT/BSCIT

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What is Fine Particulate Matter?

• Fine particulate matter, PM2.5, is a mixture of
  fine liquid or solid particles such as dust,
  smoke, mist fumes or smog.
• Several thousand could fit on the period at the
  end of this sentence.
• Larger particles (gt PM10) deposit in the upper
  respiratory tract - the smaller, inhalable
  particles ( PM10) penetrate into the lungs
  (PM2.5 more so than PM10-2.5).

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Fine Particulate Matter What is it?
M. Lipsett, California Office of Environmental
Health Hazard Assessment
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Fine Particulates Health Effects

• Premature death
• Respiratory related hospital admissions and
  emergency room visits
• Aggravated asthma
• Coughing and difficulty or pain breathing
• Chronic bronchitis
• Decreased lung function
• Work and school absences

Achieving the fine particulate standard could
save as many as Premature deaths - as
many as 1,900 per year Asthma attacks -
53,000 per year
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The Visibility and Haze Connection to Fine
Particles

• Visibility impairment is one of the most obvious
  effects of fine particles. It occurs at many
  natural parks and wilderness areas (also known as
  Class 1 areas)
• NJ has a protected Class 1 area located in
  Atlantic County - The Brigantine Wilderness Area
  of the Edwin B.
• Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge

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Fine Particles Reduce Visibility
Hazy Day
Clear day
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Fine Particles

• USEPA to propose PM2.5 rule in 6 weeks and to be
  adopted next year.
• Argus Air
  Daily
• July
  29, 2005

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What is Biodiesel?

• Alternative fuel and/or oxygenate additive for
  diesel fuels to lower particulate matter, toxic
  matter and carbon dioxide emissions from
• On and off road vehicles
• Stationary and mobile power generators and
• Commercial and residential heating units that
  burn diesel fuel.

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What is Biodiesel?

• Biodiesel can be produced from a variety of
  renewable sources
• Vegetable Oils (Soybeans or other crops)
• Recycled cooking grease (Yellow Grease)
• Animal fats (Tallow/poultry fats)
• Grease trap waste (Brown Grease)

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Basic Production TechnologyMulti-Feedstock's
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Biodiesel definition

• ASTM D 6751 - mono alkyl esters of long chain
  fatty acids derived from vegetable oils and
  animal fats
• Biodiesel refers to the pure or neat fuel, B100
• Blends of biodiesel can be B(5), B(20), etc.

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Biodiesel Properties Attributes

• Seamless and transparent with existing petroleum
  infrastructure
• Completely miscible with middle distillate fuel
  pool
• High Cetane (50 vs 40)
• High Lubricity (300 HFRR) (HFRR, High Frequency
  Reciprocating Rig, accepted ASTM test standard)
• BTU Content (128,000 comparable to kerosene)
• Cold Flow (5-7o F gt for soy-based B20)
• Flash Point (gt300oF vs 117o F)
• Safety Health Effects tests confirm it is 10x
  less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as
  fast as sugar. No nitrogen or aromatics
• Biodegradable and non-toxic
• Virtually sulfur free

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Benefits of Biodiesel

• Biodiesel and biodiesel blends offer many
  benefits, including
• reduced CO, HC, sulfur, PAH and PM exhaust
  emissions
• reduced health risks associated with diesel
  exhaust
• reduced greenhouse gas emissions
• decreased dependence on petroleum imports
• developing new markets for agricultural products
  such as soybeans.

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Biodiesel Exhaust Emissions Transportation
USEPA Report, Oct. 2002
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Rowan University Biodiesel Test Results
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Fuel Results DT466E
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Fuel Results T444E
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Fuel Results Cummins ISB Engine
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PM Results Cummins ISB
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Biodiesel For Stationary Diesel Engines
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Could biodiesel be a fuel source for stationary
internal combustion engines?

• Lack of emissions test data
• Diesel generator operators are seeking ways to
  replace lubrication value provided by sulfur when
  the USEPA requirements on Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel
  (ULSD) take effect on 2006
• Tax credit opportunity will lower the price of
  biodiesel blends to be close to straight diesel
  costs

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IOWA CASE

• Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities(IAMU) and
  
• Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
• collaboration
• Two stationary diesel engines were tested
• 1972 Cooper unit (2,650 kW)
• 1999 CAT engine (1,825 kW)
• B10 was used as fuel for the experiments

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IOWA CASE

• Engine Fuel lb/MMBTU
  NOx lb/MMBTU particulate
• 1972 Cooper Diesel
  6.23 0.14
• 10 biodiesel
  6.95 0.13
• Percent change
  11.5 increase -7.3 decrease
• 1999 Caterpillar Diesel
  4.79 0.14
• 10 biodiesel
  4.18 0.05
• Percent change
  -12.9 decrease -60.5 decrease

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IOWA CASE

• IDNR accepted test methods and results
• Adopted a rule on June 2005
• Blends of diesel 1 fuel oil and 2 fuel oil with
  up to 2.0 biodiesel (B2) are equivalent to
  unblended diesel
• Construction and Operating permits with
  restrictions for diesel 1 or 2 oils will
  include biodiesel/fuel oil blend

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Brookhaven National LaboratoryTest Results
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The Fuel for heating

• Biodiesel is a diesel-like fuel
• Available from vendors now to ASTM D 6751-02
• Biodiesel is completely miscible with
• diesel or home heating oil (ASTM 2)
• Some Differences from 2 Fuel
• Oxygenated by 10 by weight
• 8-10 higher density
• About 10 lower heating value
• Very low sulfur and nitrogen content

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Storage Questions
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Storage Stability

• Biostab major European study on stability
• 15 month storage test no strong change observed
  in quality parameters
• Oxidation does occur slowly, antioxidants
  (Tocopherols) have been shown to be effective
• Housekeeping water control important

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Storage

• B100 has a strong solvency effect
• B20 is not a substitute for tank cleaning
• Copper systems can experience accelerated
  degradation and sludge with B100
• Biocides effective with 2 oil should work with
  biofuels
• Storage in general for 6 months recommended
  similar to 2 oil

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Pour Point
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Fuel Pumps
Seal materials currently nitrile. For high blends
may need to change to Viton. Available in Europe.
Buna N, natural rubber also bad with B 100
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Emissions
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NOx low emission burner
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Field Trials

• Three year, 100 homes B 20 with Abbott and Mills.
  Included limited B 100 test
• Field tests with National Park Service started
  Fall 2004
• Studies in NYC multifamily buildings currently
  in planning stage.

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Sulfur Impacts on Boiler Fouling
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Sulfur Impacts on PM 2.5
Source S. W. Lee, Canmet, Ottawa
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Findings

• At the B 20 level, Biodiesel very compatible with
  oil-fired heating systems and provide positive
  emissions benefits.
• Long term, large scale storage implications do
  not seem to be a large concern.
• At higher concentrations low S a premium benefit
• Biofuel properties match well with the technology
  trends in the industry.

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Summary and Comparison of several findings and
Conclusions

• Rowan University has proved that with ULSD NOx
  emissions does not increase and may decrease.
• IAMU has proved that with newer stationary
  sources NOx emissions would decrease.
• Brookhaven National Laboratory has proved that
  Biodiesel blends used in residential and
  commercial heaters would reduce NOx emissions.

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Summary and Comparison of several findings and
Conclusions

• Biodiesel should NOT be considered as a potential
  source for NOx emissions increase.
• More testing is necessary
• ULSD /biodiesel blends for stationary sources and
  transportation
• Voluntary usage should be supported.
• As in IOWA case, after 2006 with ULSD mandate,
  even small percentages of renewable biodiesel
  lubrication will help somewhat reducing emissions
  of PM, toxics, GHG.

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New Jersey Biodiesel Activities

• Medford Twp. Biodiesel School Bus Program
• State contract for B20
• NJDOT Biodiesel Usage
• NJBPU Biodiesel Fuel Rebate Program

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Medford Twp. Project

• 5-year demonstration project
• Began June, 1997
• Used B20 in half their school buses
• Funded by 115,000 U.S. Dept. of Energy grant,
  NJBPU, Medford Twp.
• Based on Medford Twps success, NJDOT began using
  biodiesel in its fleet.

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Biodiesel on State contract

• Contract T-1844
• B20 fuel supplied by World Energy Alternatives
• Biodiesel must meet ASTM D6751 specification
• Local governments, school districts, etc. may
  purchase off state contract.

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NJDOT Biodiesel Usage

• Began using B20 in April, 2001.
• Used at Fernwood facility (DOE Headquarters).
• In 4 years, over 415,000 gal. of B20 consumed.
• Cost difference paid by NJBPU (currently approx.
  0.20/gallon.

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Biodiesel Fuel Rebate Program

• Initiated by NJBPU in July, 2003.
• Initial funding 500,000
• Local governments, state colleges, boards of
  education, governmental authorities eligible.
• Rebates incremental cost of using biodiesel in
  lieu of 100 petroleum diesel.

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Biodiesel Fuel Rebate Program

• Agreements signed or pending with 11 entities.
• As of June, 2005, over 81,000 gal. of B20 used at
  a cost of approx. 18,500.
• Avg. incremental cost to date of 0.23/gal.
• Cost has come down as biodiesel use has become
  more widespread.

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Examples of Rebate Program Participants

• Teaneck Twp. 40,130 gal. of B20 used from
  April, 2004 April, 2005.
• Sanitation trucks, dump trucks, fire engines,
  other heavy equipment.
• Pittsgrove Twp. Board of Ed. 28,800 gal. of B20
  used, September December, 2004.
• 32 school buses, plus sanitation trucks, dump
  trucks, pickups, other heavy duty vehicles.

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Rebate Program Participants, contd.

• Atlantic County Utilities Authority
• 2,762 gal. of B20 used in pilot project.
• Signed MOU to expand project to entire fleet
• Approx. 372,000 gallons of diesel used per year.

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Future Programs?

• Renew agreement with NJDOT re biodiesel cost
  reimbursement
• Additional funding for Biodiesel Rebate Program.
• Bioheat rebate program for schools.
• Biodiesel rebate program for farmers.
• Contact Ellen Bourbon, NJBPU, 609-984-3058