Fuel Quality

Ensuring consumer’s have a high level of confidence in the fuel they purchase is a "top" priority for Washington State. Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Weights and Measures Division has developed a set of fuel quality and labeling rules for biodiesel and ethanol fuel. These rules were developed following an extensive outreach effort that involved consumers, industry, research groups and governmental agencies. The rules are based on national ASTM and NIST standards for fuel quality and product labeling and are posted at the WSDA website. The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) is the recognized standard-setting body for fuels and additives in the United States. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is the federal agency that develops and promotes measurement, standards, and technology. The Weights and Measures Division is also establishing a quality assurance and monitoring program which will include field testing and field audits of biofuels sold in Washington.

Biodiesel

The Washington State Department of Agriculture adoption of biodiesel regulation "by rule" became effective March 21, 2007. Public hearing on the proposed rules was completed in February of 2007. The final rules are based on NIST Handbook 130 Uniform Engine Fuels, Petroleum Products, and Automotive Lubricants Regulation, with modifications to accommodate statutory requirements. For fuels other than biodiesel, the most current version of ASTM is automatically incorporated by statute. For biodiesel (as well as fuel method of sale requirements), it is expected that NIST Handbook 130 will be adopted annually. The new rules can be found at WSDA’s Motor Fuel Standards website. WSDA will also incorporate biofuel sampling and testing into its existing Motor Fuel Quality Program. The program will ultimately sample fuels throughout the distribution chain, from producer to retailer. The program goals are to assess the quality of fuels sold in Washington State, provide consumers with assurance of quality fuels, and establish consistent regulation for industry.

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) maintains a fuel quality page on their website that provides useful information on the use and handling of biodiesel. Information on state fuel quality regulations, national ASTM and NIST standards and current industry actions on fuel quality can be viewed here. The National Renewable Energy Labs has also published a useful guidebook entitled Biodiesel Handling and Use Guidelines. This guidebook provides a comprehensive discussion of using biodiesel as a vehicle fuel and discusses biodiesel health and safety issues, as well as engine warranty concerns.

Locally, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) has been investigating biodiesel quality issues in the Seattle area and recently published their results in the report Puget Sound Regional Fleet Biodiesel Fuel Study. The study was conducted by Propel Fuels and looked at three local fleets using biodiesel. Some of the problems identified by Propel included the possibility of off spec fuel deliveries; deterioration of the fuel due to long term storage or exposure to high temperature; and, storage of fuel in improperly cleaned tanks. Study recommendations included setting up a sampling and testing program at point of receipt; retaining samples of biodiesel and biodiesel blends for quality confirmation; securing a certificate of analysis from the B100 producer/provider; and, conducting a vehicle and storage equipment compatibility evaluation prior to program start-up.

The PSCAA is conducting a follow up study investigating biodiesel fuel quality issues and has contracted with Washington State University and Imperium Fuels to conduct this work. The study will continue to investigate biodiesel quality issues and will focus on biodiesel use at Washington State Ferries.

It is important to recognize that the biodiesel industry is continually working to improve biodiesel standards to reflect real world operations and use. Currently, ASTM International is developing a standard for biodiesel blends and for oxidative stability to improve biodiesel storage characteristics. A copy of the current ASTM D6751 standards is shown below.

Ethanol

The Washington State Department of Agriculture’s adoption of ethanol regulations "by rule" became effective on March 21, 2007. Public hearing on the proposed rules was completed in February of 2007. The final rules are based on NIST Handbook 130 Uniform Engine Fuels, Petroleum Products, and Automotive Lubricants Regulation, with modifications to accommodate statutory requirements. The new rules are posted at the Department of Agriculture’s Motor Fuel Standards website.

The ASTM standards for ethanol are:

• Ethanol. - intended for blending with gasoline shall meet the most recent version of ASTM D 4806, "Standard Specification for Denatured Fuel Ethanol for Blending with Gasolines for Use as Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel."
• E85 Fuel Ethanol. - shall meet the most recent version of ASTM D 5798, "Standard Specification for Fuel Ethanol (Ed75-Ed85) for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engines."

The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) has developed ethanol fuel specifications ASTM D5798-99 Standard Specification for Fuel Ethanol for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engines to ensure proper starting, operation, and safety. The minimum commercial standards for ethanol fuel can be found in the Department of Energy publication- The Handbook for Handling, Storing, and Dispensing E85.

Ethanol fuel, like gasoline and diesel fuels, is seasonally adjusted to ensure proper starting and performance in different geographic locations. For example, ethanol fuel sold during colder months often contains 70% ethanol and 30% petroleum to produce the necessary vapor pressure for starting in cold temperatures. An ethanol fueling site operator typically cannot carry over summer-blend ethanol fuel, but rather must "blend down" any remaining summer fuel to make an appropriate winter mixture. This may be done with relative ease by adding additional gasoline to the storage tank. There is no concern with carrying over winter-blend ethanol fuels into warmer months as flexible fuel vehicles operate on any blend of ethanol and gasoline during warmer periods.

On-going Weights and Measures Issues

Some of the current WSDA Weights and Measures biofuel activities are noted below.

• W&M began initial biofuels quality testing and label assessment in May 2007. Sampling/testing levels will ramp up as methods/protocols are developed, biofuels locations identified, and inspectors become more experienced.
• Biofuels quality testing should be fully incorporated into the larger Motor Fuel Quality Program before the end of the 2007. The Motor Fuel Quality Program already tests petroleum fuels.
• W&M will begin industry education and outreach efforts in summer/fall of 2007 to help ensure proper fuel dispenser labeling and the availability of high quality fuels.

Additional Resources

National Biodiesel Board

National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition

U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuel Data Center

Biodiesel Handling and Use Guidelines

The Handbook for Handling, Storing and Dispensing E-85