|
New biodiesel standards should speed acceptance
By Jill Dunn
Republican presidential candidate John McCain, right, got a demonstration of biodiesel production in November during a visit to Renewable Energy Group in Ames, Iowa.
|
After a five-year wait, the National Biodiesel Board announced it was delighted that three sets of biodiesel specifications have been approved.
On June 19, the ASTM International, originally known as the American Society for Testing and Materials, rendered its decision after extensive research and balloting by its fuel experts. The ASTM International D02 Main Committee’s vote should “significantly bolster automaker support and consumer demand for biodiesel,” the board said.
Automakers and engine manufacturers have wanted a finished blend specification for 20 percent (B20) biodiesel blends for years. Some said lacking the spec was the single greatest hurdle preventing their complete acceptance of B20 use in their diesel vehicles.
The approval of ASTM specifications for inclusion of up to 5 percent biodiesel (B5) in regular diesel fuel also will result in biodiesel soon becoming more readily available at retail pumps nationwide.
The committee’s specific approvals are:
Changes to the existing B100 biodiesel blend stock specification (ASTM D6751)
Finished specifications to include up to 5 percent biodiesel (B5) in the conventional petrodiesel specification (ASTM D975).
A new specification for blends between 6 percent biodiesel (B6) to 20 percent biodiesel (B20) for on-and off-road diesel.
|
|
