Cold snap raises issues when biodiesel gels up

[Thom Little]

An unusually cold December in parts of the country exposed a flaw in biodiesel — a partly organic fuel that many hope will lessen the country's dependence on foreign oil.

Biodiesel has been gaining in popularity in recent years. Its allure is simple: The fuel can be made from material such as soybeans or recycled french fry oil mixed with regular diesel to make a cleaner-burning fuel.

Tax breaks for biodiesel users — rebates of 50 cents to $1 per gallon — have encouraged use.

But cold weather can cause biodiesel to solidify, clogging fuel lines and filters and leaving vehicles with no power. Just before Christmas, Minnesota temporarily lifted a recently enacted mandate that all diesel fuel sold in the state be biodiesel, because of complaints from truckers during a cold snap. In Colorado, dozens of students had no ride to school when biodiesel-powered buses wouldn't start.



http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2006-01-03-biodiesel-usat_x.htm

[imported_dem]

1. Just another example of government

not thinking things through completely.

[TheWatcher]

2. Like when they invaded a sovereign country that was no threat to us

And told everyone we would be greeted with candy and flowers and that it would be a cakewalk?

Like when they decided to take the country to war based on lies and false intelligence?

Methinks these are a bit more relevant examples.

Don't you?

[Strelnikov_]

3. I Seriously Doubt Minnesota's 2% BD Mandate

had any effect on the gel point.

My understanding is a 50/50 BD/Dino mixture is adequate to lower the gel point sufficiently.

This is more likely GOP/Reich-Wing spin to keep us hooked on foreign oil. Thanks for posting it.

[LostinVA]

4. That's exactly what it is!

And, a 50/50 mix works just fine... except maybe in Hammerfest or somewhere like that!

[Chemical Bill]

5. I've used a 50/50 mix...

with antigel additive, down to zero with no problem. A lot of users go with 20% all winter. Even petroleum diesel will gel up without additives. Of course, my grandmother had to hand crank her first car, so why are we so soft that we want to run a vehicle without thinking about what we are doing?

That said, I can't wait for the research to go into making biofuel that is usable all year, available at the pump in all 50 states. Biodiesel is available all over Europe, at many gas stations. It isn't some pie-in-the-sky dream.

Bill

[LostinVA]

7. I know -- I keep waiting for it to be at my local station

Alas!

[chapel hill dem]

11. Here in NC, we use a 20-25% petroleum to biodiesel blend with good

results. The coldest is usually gets is about 5-10 degrees F and the mixture worked just fine.

BTW, our co-op has placed keyed B99 pumps at several sites where you just drive up, put your key in the correct lock and fill your tank. The charge appears on your credit card the next month. EZ!

Our co-op can be found at

www.biofuels.coop

[LostinVA]

14. Lucky dog!

[NickB79]

9. The complaints said fuel filters were being clogged

That was what was reported in the MN papers here when many semi-trucks weren't running well on biodiesel blends.

[Strelnikov_]

12. BD Does Act As A Solvent

It is common practice to be ready for a few quick fuel filter changes when first running BD in an older vehicle. But my impression is that this is for, say, 20% BD and up. My understanding is that at 2%, lubricity is slightly improved, but otherwise the fuel can be used like 100% Dino.

My feeling is that this is 1) FUD, or 2) maybe there were some 50% BD batches of fuel made by mistake.

[Javaman]

6. Wouldn't an engine heater solve this issue?

Like the ones they use on oil pans to heat the oil in the winter.

More and more spin.

[One_Life_To_Give]

10. No, the entire fuel line/tank would need heating n/t

[Javaman]

13. ahhh, duh, I stand corrected. :) n/t

[LostinVA]

15. No, that won't help this -- different "problem"

[lovuian]

8. Family member has a patent on helping diesel fuel start

in extreme cold temperatures... this problem is not just for Biodiesel this is just diesel ... additives must be added which makes it more expensive...

its defintely a growing market...