Blending
For petroleum distributors wishing to blend our biodiesel, the following tips are suggested for blending biodiesel when loading:
- Always top load diesel fuel on the truck first, the biodiesel second. Biodiesel is slightly heavier than petroleum diesel and will sink “through” the petroleum to mix more thoroughly. This works well for most blends under B20. For higher concentration blends of biodiesel such as B50 or B80, mechanical mixing methods may be necessary to ensure thorough mixing.
- If bottom loading, always bottom load the biodiesel first to the truck first, the diesel fuel second.
- For multi-compartment tanks, blend each compartment to the desired blend separately (B5, B10, B20).
- Keep biodiesel above 45°F (7°C) prior to blending. Watch out for cold tankers! Our fuel is typically good down to around 22°F before gelling, and our tanks are heated to prevent cold weather gelling in the winter time in severe weather.
- Ensure the success of the blending through agitation, if possible.
- Evaluate the cold flow properties of the fuel prior and after blending.
Bulk customers can top load at our terminal rack or we can deliver via tankwagon or transport tanker. We can sell B99.9, B100, or any blend down to B5.
If you would like to order biodiesel, you can contact us using the contact form, or call us to order. We can supply B100 or any blend down to B5.
Selling Biodiesel Blends
Since biodiesel is a premium fuel product, it is typically more expensive than diesel fuel. This can make selling biodiesel more difficult in certain markets or weak economies. Here are some target markets and selling points for biodiesel that help demonstrate it as a superior fuel.
- EPAct Compliance – The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) State and Alternative Fuel Provider Rule requires certain fleets to acquire alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). Compliance is required by state government and alternative fuel provider fleets that operate, lease, or control 50 or more light-duty vehicles (LDVs) within the United States. Vehicles that weigh less than 8,500 lb gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) are considered LDVs. Of those 50 vehicles, at least 20 must be used primarily within a single Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)/Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area (CMSA) (opens new window to Metropolitan Statistical Areas Covered by EPAct).
- North Carolina Biodiesel Requirement for School Buses – Every school bus that is capable of operating on diesel fuel must be capable of operating on diesel fuel with a minimum content of 20% biodiesel (B20). Furthermore, at least 2% of the total volume of fuel purchased annually by local school districts statewide for use in diesel school buses must be a minimum of B20, to the extent that biodiesel blends are available and compatible with the technology of the vehicles and the equipment used. (Reference Senate Bill 1452, 2007, and North Carolina General Statutes 115C-240(c) and 115C-249(a)).
- NC Off-Road Biodiesel Tax Free – The retail sale, use, storage or consumption of alternative fuels is exempt from the state’s sales and use tax. Sales and use tax is applied to conventional off road fuel sales and is 7% of the sales price. For example, if the price of B100 is $3.00 per gallon, the sales tax exemption would be a savings of .042 cents per gallon on a B20 blend. This incentive includes biodiesel blended with fuel oil for heating applications. Biodiesel may be splashed blended up to a B20 blend with mechanically dyed off road diesel (as per IRS Transitional Rules). NC Gen. Statute 105-164.13 (11)
- Home Heating Oil – Blended biodiesel with home heating oil can improve combustion and provide cleaner burning and ignition, reducing soot accumulation and maintenance needed on heating oil furnace equipment.
- Domestically Produced – Biodiesel is made here in the United States, using domestic labor and domestic materials. Using biodiesel helps reduce our dependence on foreign oil and provides local jobs in the farming, recycling, and fuel industries.
- Safe Fuel – Since biodiesel is non-toxic, non-hazardous, non-flammable, and biodegradable, it is one of the safest liquid fuels available. It is an excellent choice for sensitive ecological environments such as marine, off-road, or mining applications where fuel spills could have serious ecological impacts. Furthermore, since biodiesel emissions are less toxic and less hazardous, operating in enclosed spaces such as mines pose a reduced risk of inhalation hazards and can reduce employee downtime.
- Improved Combustion – Biodiesel is slippery. It improves lubricity, thereby reducing friction. It can reduce wear on injectors and injection pumps caused by Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel. It also has a higher cetane rating than petroleum diesel, which means in combusts more easily. Biodiesel is slightly solvent, so it will clean your engine and fuel system, improving performance.
Biodiesel Benefits
- B2 – 2% Biodiesel, 98% petrodiesel. Increases lubricity by over 63%. No negative effects on any engines. Common additive for Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel to replace lubricity lost by removing sulfur.
- B5 – 5% Biodiesel, 95% petrodiesel. Increases lubricity, reduces emissions. Approved by all diesel engine manufacturers. Proposed Federal legistlation to require B5 to be sold by all gas stations by 2010.
- B20 – 20% Biodiesel, 80% petrodiesel. Offers between 20-50% improvement in vehicle emissions. Very common blend for fleet and shipping transportation use because of emissions improvements, yet has virtually same price and performance of petroleum diesel.
- B50 – 50% Biodiesel, 50% petrodiesel. Common summertime blend. Can also be used for home heating oil blend to reduce emissions. Can be used in Wintertime as well with proper additives and precautions.
- B100 – 100% Biodiesel. Reduces emissions by up to 80%, virtually eliminates smoke and soot. Biodegradeable, non-toxic, extremely safe fuel. Used year round in our entire truck fleet, our generator, our boiler, our oil heat furnace, and personal vehicles here at the TBI plant!