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What is biodiesel?
Very often, a broad, general
description is used to define biodiesel in a way that is easy to understand
by the general public. However, when these broad descriptions are adopted
by an authoritative body as a formal definition, they can include a
wide range of experimental fuels that are not biodiesel. The term “biodiesel”
has a specific, technical definition that has been agreed to through
a painstaking process by members of industry and government which has
received full approval by the American Society of Testing and Materials
(ASTM), the premier standard setting organization for fuels and fuel
additives. That definition is used for purposes such as alternative
fuel designation, EPA registration, or other regulatory purposes. Nonetheless,
this specific technical definition can be confusing to the general public.
We have, therefore, chosen to adopt two definitions for biodiesel. The
“general definition” is a simple description for the general
public. The “technical definition” should be adopted for
use by customers for bid specification purposes or government entities
for regulatory purposes.
General Definition
of Biodiesel:
Biodiesel is a domestic, renewable fuel for diesel engines
derived from natural oils like soybean oil, and which meets the specifications
of ASTM D 6751.
Clarifying language
to general definition:
Biodiesel can be used in any concentration with petroleum
based diesel fuel in existing diesel engines with little or no modification.
Biodiesel is not the same thing as raw vegetable oil. It is produced
by a chemical process which removes the glycerin from the oil.
Technical Definition
for Biodiesel (ASTM D 6751) and Biodiesel Blend:
Biodiesel, n—a fuel comprised of mono-alkyl
esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal
fats, designated B100, and meeting the requirements of ASTM D 6751.
Biodiesel Blend, n—a blend
of biodiesel fuel meeting ASTM D 6751 with petroleum-based diesel
fuel, designated BXX, where XX represents the volume percentage of
biodiesel fuel in the blend.
Clarifying language to technical definition:
Biodiesel, as defined in D 6751, is registered with the US
EPA as a fuel and a fuel additive under Section 211(b) of the Clean
Air Act.
Biodiesel is typically produced by a reaction
of a vegetable oil or animal fat with an alcohol such as methanol
or ethanol in the presence of a catalyst to yield mono-alkyl esters
and glycerin, which is removed.
Further Discussion
EPA Registration and Health Effects
Testing. All fuels and fuel additives must be registered with
the US EPA and be subjected to the health effects regulations contained
within 40 CFR Part 79. Companies must register their individual fuel
products with the EPA in order to legally market the product to the
public. In order to register their fuel, companies must either complete
the health effects testing requirements using their specific fuel, or
make arrangements with an entity which has completed the testing, in
order to use the other entity’s data. The National Biodiesel Board
has completed the required health effects testing on behalf of the biodiesel
industry, and has established criteria to make the testing data available
to companies seeking to register their biodiesel with the EPA. Any fuel
that does not meet ASTM D 6751 is not considered biodiesel and therefore
does not fall under the NBB testing umbrella. Adoption of D 6751 by
the FTA will assist EPA and the biodiesel industry in preventing unregistered
fuels from being illegally sold as biodiesel.
Engine Manufacturing Warranties.
Most engine companies have adopted D 6751 to define biodiesel and provide
information to customers regarding biodiesel. Other 'bio-derived' materials
that do not meet D 6751 may cause engine and fuel system problems and
void engine warranties.
For additional information on
biodiesel see:
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