Use of B100 and High Blend Levels

Most biodiesel currently in use involves blends of B20 or lower in a variety of applications. The price and lack of regulatory incentives have limited the experience with blend levels of B50 and higher, although some niche markets are using higher blends. High-level biodiesel blends are successfully used in underground mining equipment. The ability of biodiesel to reduce PM emissions and reduce human exposure to this criteria pollutant has driven the industry to adopt higher blends of biodiesel. Thus, most of the information in this section is intended for biodiesel use as a blending component. In particular, Specification D6751 is for the use of bioFundamentals diesel as a blendstock, not as a neat fuel. If you want to use B100 as a fuel, these recommendations should help:

• Contact other users of higher-level blends and B100. The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has names of individuals and businesses as well as reference materials about storage, handling, and use of higher-level blends and B100. If you manage a fleet, contact your Fleet Management Association or Clean Cities Coalition to find out if anyone near you has experience with B100 or blends above B20. Ask your B100 supplier for recommendations.
• Ask other users what they did, how they did it,how long it took, how much it cost, what problems they encountered, how long they have been using higher-level blends or B100, and what kinds of engines and equipment use higher-level blends and B100 at their sites.
• Discuss your needs with your vehicle manufacturer and ask for advice, including any recommendations from other U.S. fleet customers.
• Replace materials you know will be problematic and institute a monitoring program based on the information presented in section 3.6.4, Materials Compatibility.
• Plan and budget for the time and expense of increased fuel filter changes or cleaning your fuel system when first starting to use higher-level blend sand B100.