"renewable" diesel?

[Richard19068]

Does anyone have experience or know about any problems with using "renewable" diesel in older marine engines?

Not to be confused with "biodiesel".

"Renewable diesel and biodiesel are not the same fuel. Renewable diesel, previously known as green diesel, is a hydrocarbon produced most often by hydrotreating and also via gasification, pyrolysis, and other biochemical and thermochemical technologies. It meets ASTM D975 specification for petroleum diesel. Biodiesel is a mono-alkyl ester produced via transesterification. Biodiesel meets ASTM D6751 and is approved for blending with petroleum diesel."

They have it at a local 76 station here in Southern California.

Their website says this:

"Is 76® Renewable Diesel safe for my engine?
Yes, it satisfies the operability requirements of today’s diesel engines. As a 100% hydrocarbon fuel, it is chemically very similar to petroleum-based diesel and can be used in vehicles without modification to the engine or its fuel system. You can use 100% renewable diesel or a blend of renewable diesel with petroleum-based diesel."

Their saying "today's diesel engines" makes me think there could be a problem with older engines.

Any comments?

Thanks

 

[jssailem]

What are the lubricity properties of this fuel substitution. Are they the same as petroleum diesel?

You could ask your Diesel engine maker the question if they are still making engines.

 

[Richard19068]

What are the lubricity properties of this fuel substitution. Are they the same as petroleum diesel?

You could ask your Diesel engine maker the question if they are still making engines.

Good question. It does look like it is very low sulpher (so that may be bad for lubricity). Their website says it meets the ASTM standards for regular petroleum diesel. I sent an email to 76 asking what the lubricity and cetane ratings are.

I have read that "biodiesel" generally has a better lubricity factor than regular diesel so I might assume lubricity should not be an issue (but I know this isn't technically biodiesel we're talking about).

The engine is a 35 year old Universal (Kubota block). Not sure who to contact for their opinion.

 

[dLj]

I used to make biodiesel. It had a bit of problem with older engines in terms of seals and fuel lines. Some of the older fuel lines and seals used would degrade in the presence of biodiesel but it did not doing anything to the engine persay. Used to have a fríend that would say he didn't worry about it. If one of his vehicles started leaking, he'd simply change that line/seal with a modern material.

I know nothing about the specific fuel you are asking about. Honestly, it's the first time I've ever heard of it....

dj

 

[Benny17441]

Today the starting priority is on Price. What is the price per gallon for that miracle oil before I start digging on its attributes?

 

[Richard19068]

Price is about the same since in California it is subject to some manufacturer credits.

Not suggesting that it is a miracle or even that anyone use it. Just wondering about it. I know it is not available in most states.

On the lubricity question i found out it is essentially the same as petroleum diesel. That is, very low. Both have lubricity additives to bring it up to Specifications.

The cetane rating is generally higher than petroleum diesel.

 

[jssailem]

My next concern would be how does the new fuel interact with water.

We know that there is a certain volume of water possible in a gallon of diesel. Generally, the two do not mix, so we can separate most of the water out of the fuel before introducing it to our engines.

How does this fuel react to water in the fuel system?


Another question that occurs, how does the fuel store?

On my boat fuel can spend months in the tank before I encourage it to flow into the engine. I can address this long storage with additives. I have no idea what sort of regimen I might need to store the fuel for say 3 months, 6 months, 18 months.

 

[Richard19068]

More good questions. I have read that it is good for both storage and water issues and that it is also good resistant to the bugs that grow in petroleum diesel but don't have a cite for that. I'll check those out next week when I get back from a short cruise.

Thanks.

 

[Terry Cox]

On another note, some of us have diesel furnaces to heat our boat. Wallas advises against the use of biodiesel as it may not ignite. I wonder if the same applies to this renewable diesel?

 

[jssailem]

Enjoy the water. Take pictures. Share.. Let fuel concerns be a thing of the past.

 

[senang]

A diesel is a diesel. You can throw a lot at it, look what they burn in big commercial container and tanker vessels. The only concern is in fact the gaskets in the fuel delivery system.

 

[jssailem]

The only concern is in fact the gaskets in the fuel delivery system.

It being an assumption on my part, the different effects on gaskets and seals could be the temperature at which the fuel being used burns.

 

[sail sfbay]

To answer the specification question, including lubricity specification............California Air Resources Board (CARB) diesel meet the specifications in the attached and includes a lubricity specification. When I designed an Ultra-Low Sulfur diesel hydrotreating unit, it included lubricity additive and cetane improver injection systems to meet their respective specifications in these attachments. I would not be concerned since all diesel is produced to these specifications.