The roller coaster biodiesel ride
The pressure is on to 'green up' port operations
Switching to biodiesel is ‘rather easy’, according to the Port of Seattle's Mary Ann Lobdell.
She advises: clean the bulk storage tank/tanks, if applicable; have extra filters on hand for the equipment, because biodiesel acts as a cleaner which requires extra filter changes at the onset; and introduce biodiesel gradually, starting with B5, increasing to B10 and steadily to the desired percentage.
However, there are certain issues to be taken into consideration – perhaps the most dramatic being deterioration of rubber hoses. “We have been switching, as necessary, to synthetic/moulded rubber hoses, which are resistant to aggressive fuels,” she says. Seattle’s experience is that, in the winter, gelling can be a problem in blends higher than B20. “This can be avoided by using an additive or reducing to B20 or lower in the winter months.”
And biodiesel has a shelf life of no more than six months. Seattle addresses this by recycling the fuel in its generators every quarter.
Blends higher than B20 may cause a larger amount of unburned fuel which may make its way past the piston rings and into the oil pan. “This is due to the slightly higher viscosity and the slightly higher density of biodiesel. Surprisingly, we found this to be more of an issue with newer engines as opposed to the older equipment.”
But, despite the challenges, there are significant advantages to using biodiesel, says Ms Lobdell. Ultra low sulphur diesel has decreased lubricity, which can result in excessive engine wear; biodiesel has increased lubricity, which offsets the ultralow sulphur diesel and reduces engine wear.
“Biodiesel offers cleaner emissions; the reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter results in a reduced carbon footprint. There is less reliance on foreign oils and a depleting natural resource, and using biodiesels contributes to the domestic economy."
Images for this article - click to enlarge
Unless otherwise stated, all images copyright © Mercator Media 2012. This does not exclude the owner's assertion of copyright over the material.
