The Why and How of Blending Biodiesel A Terminal Operator's Guide Paul Nazzaro President Advanced Fuel Solutions (978) 258-8360 paulsr@yourfuelsolution.com The why is easy. The mantra of sustainability has shifted the way that companies, municipalities and individuals do business. Growing customer demand for clean, renewable fuel sources—compounded by increasingly stringent regulatory standards—leaves little doubt that the transition to renewable fuels is not a market trend but a global movement gaining traction by the day. That’s why biodiesel has emerged as one of the fastest growing alternative fuels in the nation, and that’s why terminal operators need to know how to handle it. The how requires a bit more explanation. The first step is to assess whether your current infrastructure supports a biodiesel program. As B100 (100% biodiesel) can be stored, pumped and blended with equipment commonly found at many terminals today, some will be able to easily incorporate biodiesel with little or no modification. Others will have several infrastructural factors to consider for proper receipt, storage, blending and transfer of the product. B100 is produced in nearly every U.S. state and can be delivered via truck, railcar, barge and, in some instances, pipeline. If delivery is by uninsulated railcar or barge, a steam system may be necessary to heat the product before it can be offloaded. Also, prior to offloading, storage tanks and piping should be thoroughly cleaned of residue and mill scale, as B100 will act as a cleaning agent, dislodging sediment and potentially plugging strainers when first introduced. Desiccant filters should be installed in the vent system to eliminate moisture and prevent water and microbial contamination. As with any liquid fuel, proactive housekeeping practices are essential to the quality, stability and cold temperature operability of the product. As it is recommended that B100 be maintained at pour point plus 10°F or higher, heated and insulated fuel lines and tanks are necessary in cold-to-moderate climates. Common heating options include electric pipe insert heaters; a pre-heater and circulation pump; steam tracing; below-ground storage; and ambient heating if storage and piping can be contained inside. For outdoor storage and piping, mineral wool and fiberglass insulation with aluminum or stainless steel jacketing are the most common ways to prevent heat loss. Ceramic coating is another proven (and typically more costeffective) form of insulation. It can be shop or field applied (similar to paint) in most colors and with more or less thickness to achieve the desired R-value (a unit measuring ther- A look inside Newport Biodiesel’s production facility in Newport, RI. Continued on p. 8 6 ICM/March/April 2015
ICM September-October 2014
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