Reducing Emissions and Saving Money with Renewable Resources
Photo: 401kcalculator.org
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Photo: 401kcalculator.org
“> Like any department within a company, fleets are constantly looking for ways to cut costs. Add the need to cut vehicle emissions as well, and you have an issue compounded by reduced budgets. For most fleets, the current and upcoming increased fuel economy standards can affect fleet budgets considerably, which is why renewable resources, such as renewable diesel, are a simple first step in meeting their goals.
For starters, information on the difference between renewable diesel and diesel can go a long way in increasing understanding and acceptance. Renewable diesel, in some forms, is known as hydrogenation-derived renewable diesel (HDRD), which is processed waste fat or vegetable oil. It is produced 100% from renewable raw materials and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80%.
Renewable diesel is processed in a similar way to petroleum diesel and fleets have seen a number of benefits from its use. Since it’s hydrogenated, renewable diesel isn’t affected by freezing temperature and storage. During hydrogenation, hydrogen replaces other atoms such as sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen and converts the oil’s triglyceride molecules into paraffinic hydrocarbons. The similarity in chemical structure also allows renewable diesel to be used in engines that are designed to run on conventional diesel fuel. The high cetane number of renewable diesel, which is around 75-85, ensures clean and efficient combustion resulting in greater engine performance and fewer harmful emissions.
Engine manufacturers have taken notice and are increasingly approving the use of renewable diesel in their engines. Cummins recently certified its use in its B4.5, B6.7, and L9 medium-duty engine platforms, after holding an 18-month field test. Its engines were tested with 100% renewable diesel fuels in order to study the effects of the fuel on engine performance, aftertreatment and fuel system durability. Cummins is now testing the possibility of using the fuel with …Read the rest of this story
