Biodiesel Blends Introduction

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Blends of biodiesel and conventional hydrocarbon-based diesel are products most commonly distributed for use in the retail diesel fuel marketplace. Much of the world uses a system known as the “B” factor to state the amount of biodiesel in any fuel mix:

* 100% biodiesel is referred to as B100
* 20% biodiesel, 80% petrodiesel is labeled B20
* 5% biodiesel, 95% petrodiesel is labeled B5
* 2% biodiesel, 98% petrodiesel is labeled B2

Blends of 20% biodiesel and lower can be used in diesel equipment with no, or only minor modifications, although certain manufacturers do not extend warranty coverage if equipment is damaged by these blends. The B6 to B20 blends are covered by the ASTM D7467 specification. Biodiesel can also be used in its pure form (B100), but may require certain engine modifications to avoid maintenance and performance problems. Blending B100 with petroleum diesel may be accomplished by:

* Mixing in tanks at manufacturing point prior to delivery to tanker truck
* Splash mixing in the tanker truck (adding specific percentages of biodiesel and petroleum diesel)
* In-line mixing, two components arrive at tanker truck simultaneously.
* Metered pump mixing, petroleum diesel and biodiesel meters are set to X total volume, transfer pump pulls from two points and mix is complete on leaving pump.

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