Overview
- Definitions of Bio-Based Diesel Fuels
- Mercedes Benz
/ Daimler Approval Concerning Biodiesel - Frequently Asked Questions on Biodiesel Fuel Issues
- Frequently Asked Questions on Biodiesel Vehicle Issues
Definitions of Bio-Based Diesel Fuels
Biodiesel: Biodiesel is chemically referred to Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME). It is produced from raw vegetable oil or animal fat and methanol. Biodiesel is chemically distinct from petroleum diesel and bears quality risks, depending on feedstock (fuel ageing, cold flow), given physical properties (fuel evaporation), and accuracy of production process (contaminations). Therefore, the use of biodiesel can have technical implications upon the operation of the engine/fuel system.
Renewable Diesel Fuels: Non-biodiesel fuels. Produced from different biological materials through various production processes:
Renewable Diesel: A paraffinic fuel with high quality produced from vegetable oil or animal fat by hydro treatment.
Biomass-to-Liquid = Sun Diesel (BTL): A paraffinic fuel with high quality produced from biomass (e.g. waste biomass) which is converted through high-temperature gasification into a synthetic gas, which is then transferred by Fischer-Tropsch process to the liquid fuel.
Vegetable Oil: Non-biodiesel fuel. Unprocessed vegetable oil extracted from plants is not suitable as fuel for on-road diesel vehicles due to it’s low cetane number <40, high viscosity, and coking behavior.
Main Quality Characteristics of Straight Biodiesel (B100 / 100%)
Fatty Acid Methyl Ester content:
Describes the purity of biodiesel and is not regulated in the USA.
Aging characteristics:
Biodiesel tends to oxidize more rapidly than diesel by forming acids and polymers. The oxidation
stability depends on the feedstock used. Soybean Methyl Ester (SME) which is mainly used in the United States has a lower oxidation stability compared to that of biodiesel from other feedstocks.
Contaminations:
Due to production shortcomings there are possibilities for the contamination of biodiesel with a lot of harmful byproducts. There are distributors/retailers selling biodiesel blended diesel that are not certified for the quality of their product and production processes.
Higher biodiesel blending increases the possible negative effects of the above mentioned quality deficiencies and possible damage to the engine/fuel system. Mercedes-Benz/Daimler Approval Concerning Biodiesel.
Mercedes-Benz/Daimler Approval Concerning Biodiesel
Mercedes-Benz approves the use of B5 according to ASTM D975 (standard Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) with a maximum of up to 5 % biodiesel) in all Common Rail Injection (CDI) and BlueTEC diesel engines
The only approved processed biodiesel for B5 blending is one that meets ASTM D975 specification to prevent damage to the engine system from deposits and / or corrosion.
Diesel fuels containing a higher percentage of biodiesel, (e.g. B6 to B20) according to ASTM D7467 as well as straight biodiesel (B100 / 100%) ASTM D6751 may cause severe damage to your engine/fuel system and are not approved.
The Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty does not cover damages caused by the use of fuels that do not meet Mercedes-Benz approved fuel standards.
Mercedes-Benz vehicles must only use qualified commercial brand fuel that meet Mercedes-Benz approved fuel standards!
Labeling of approved fuels.
Attention! Any percentage of homebrewed biodiesel does not meet Mercedes-Benz approved fuel standards and is not approved!
Frequently Asked Questions on Biodiesel Fuel Issues
- Fuel Regulations in the USA Concerning Biodiesel
- Home Brewed Versus Commercially Produced Biodiesel
- Technical Risks of Diesel Fuel Containing Biodiesel
Fuel Regulations in the USA Concerning Biodiesel
Regular ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) acc. to ASTM D975 might contain biodiesel up to 5 % v/v.
Recently another specification for an ULSD with a biodiesel content of 5.5 to 20 %v/v = B20 was passed.
Biodiesel which is used for blending or as straight biodiesel (B100 / 100%) has to fulfill the ASTM D6751. The requirement for aging stability is not sufficiently regulated. B100 itself is not suitable for DPF applications
It is up to the individual US states to adopt the ASTM
Due to quality deficiencies B20 and B100 are not suitable for passenger car and light duty truck applications of Mercedes-Benz equipped with diesel particulate traps.
Home Brewed versus Commercially Produced Biodiesel
For home brewing, the production process cannot be controlled in an adequate manner concerning completeness of reaction, conditioning, processing and cleaning necessities.
A qualified production process and also biodiesel blending would require a complete analytical fuel laboratory, which home brew producers would most likely not invest in. This may lead to fuels not meeting ASTM specifications.
Private fuel storage facilities may not be suitable.
Fuels which do not meet the ASTM specifications are NOT approved by Mercedes Benz and the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty does not cover damages caused by the use of fuels that do not meet Mercedes-Benz approved fuel standards !
Frequently Asked Questions on Biodiesel Vehicle Issues
- Technical Risks of Diesel Fuel Containing Biodiesel
- Further Impacts of Biodiesel on Vehicle Characteristics
- Recommendations for a Vehicle With Extended Standstill Period Which Use Diesel Fuel Containing Biodiesel for Periods> 4Weeks
- Warranty Guidelines for Biodiesel Usage
Technical Risks of Diesel Fuel Containing Biodiesel
Clogging of fuel filter caused by
a) soaps, which may be formed by biodiesel components (aging products and contaminants)
b) microbes, which may contaminate biodiesel blends.
Fuel gelling under cold climate conditions, e.g. additives of biodiesel and conventional diesel are sometimes incompatible.
Sludge formation within engine oil due to biodiesel aging products.
Increase in engine oil degradation when driving under low load conditions as biodiesel has difficulty evaporating from engine oil.
Sticking /corrosion of high pressure pump parts / injectors especially after a longer stand-still period of the vehicle due to aging products of biodiesel (sticky polymers, acids).
Nozzle coking / and injector deposits accelerated through by-products of biodiesel.
Deposit formation on piston rings and also on lambda sensors, exhaust gas recirculation system parts.
Further Impacts of Biodiesel on Vehicle Characteristics
Impact of Biodiesel on Engine Noise
There is no negative impact on noise, vibration, or harshness when using approved biodiesel containing ULSD (B5)
Burning Properties of Diesel Fuel Containing Biodiesel (Emissions)
There is no change in the level of regulated emissions when using approved biodiesel blended ULSD (B5)
Exhaust Smell When Using Diesel Fuel Containing Biodiesel
The use of B5 will not result in a different smell.
B100 exhaust has a different smell than that of diesel exhaust. (smells like French fry oil). For diesel containing biodiesel, smell depends on blending rate.
Fuel Consumption and Engine Power Comparison (Diesel vs. Biodiesel Blended Diesel)
Biodiesel containing up to B5 will have no difference in terms of power and fuel economy notable when compared to normal diesel.
Biodiesel > B5 has a lower energy content than diesel fuel which results in a slight power loss and a slightly increased fuel consumption.
Recommendations for a Vehicle With Extended Standstill Periods Which Use Diesel Fuel Containing Biodiesel for Periods > 4 Weeks
Before parking the vehicle, the fuel tank should be filled. Reducing the empty volume of the fuel tank reduces the amount of oxygen left in the fuel tank which leads to biodiesel aging.
The vehicle should not be parked in the sun, higher temperature will cause quicker biodiesel aging and can lead to the formation of corrosive acids and sticky polymers.
When vehicle idling is not possible during and after the stand still period as listed above, an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer may have to change hydraulic parts and pump out the fuel tank.
Warranty Guidelines for Biodiesel Usage
Refer to the appropriate owner, maintenance manuals for your vehicle.
Diesel fuel with up to B5 Biodiesel content according to ULSD specification ASTM D975 meets Mercedes-Benz approved fuel standards and will not void coverage under the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
All diesel fuels containing greater than B5 biodiesel as well as straight biodiesel (B100 / 100%)
are not approved by Mercedes-Benz as the risk for severe engine damage is increased. Any damages caused by the use of such non-approved fuels will not be covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Vehicle Modifications for Biodiesel Usage
No modification kit is necessary for up to B5 Biodiesel content.
Biodiesel content greater than B5 is NOT approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles, hence no approved modification kit is available.
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