RENEWABLE AND ALTERNATIVE FUELS FOR USE IN DIESEL ENGINES

• The most common fuels used to power generators are diesel and natural gas, but there are other options as well. CAT generator engines are available in a wide range of configurations and can burn a broad spectrum of fuels.

  Many renewable and alternative fuels can be used as replacements for diesel fuel. To be used in CAT® engines and reduce the risk of equipment downtime, these fuels must meet the specifications and characteristics described below.

  Spis treści Pokaż

  1 Renewable fuels in CAT diesel engines

  2 Alternative fuels vs biodiesel: differences

  3 Alternative fuels: requirements for diesel engines

  4 CAT guidelines for renewable fuels

  Renewable fuels in CAT diesel engines

  Renewable fuels are derived from renewable resources such as crops (soy, palm, rapeseed, etc.), used cooking oil, animal fat, biomass, algae and others. Renewable fuels, which are derived from fats and oils, can be processed through hydrotreating. The result is high-paraffin renewable diesel (RD), also known as hydro-refined vegetable oil (HVO), which can be used in diesel engines and effectively reduce the carbon footprint.

  Biomass and syngas, which can be produced from methane and gas-to-liquids (GTL), can be converted into renewable fuel through various processes and are usually called biomass-to-liquids (BTL).  BTL, GTL and HVO fuels have the same chemical and performance specifications and can all be used in CAT diesel engines.

  
   

  Alternative fuels vs biodiesel: differences

  It should be noted that the alternative and renewable fuels discussed in this article are different from biodiesel, which will be discussed in more detail in the next article.

  Alternative fuels: requirements for diesel engines

  In order for these alternative fuels to be used in CAT diesel engines, Caterpillar recommends that they meet the latest version of any of the following specifications:

  • EN15940, which specifies quality requirements for BTL, GTL and HVO. This is the preferred specification for renewable and alternative fuels discussed in this document.
  • EN 590, with the exception of density regulations. This is the specification for diesel fuel in Europe.
  • CAT diesel specification, except for density regulations.

  Renewable and alternative fuels that meet the requirements listed above can be used in:

  • 100% (may also  be called RD100, HVO100 or GTL 100);
  • any level of mixture with diesel fuel;
  • any level of mixture with biodiesel fuel;
  • any level of mixture with a combination of biodiesel and diesel fuel.

  Renewable and alternative fuels are typically paraffinic hydrocarbons, included in a subset of diesel fuel composition. Therefore, these fuels, whether 100% or mixed, can be used as replacements for diesel fuel. These fuels have many advantages:

  • HVO/RD fuels are renewable, which can reduce the carbon footprint or greenhouse gas (GHG) impact of the engine;
  • they have a high cetane number;
  • they can be formulated to provide low temperatures – each time, however, the supplier must be contacted to ensure that the fuel meets the ambient temperature requirements of the application;
  • they can reduce emissions of some products of incomplete combustion, such as unburned hydrocarbons (UHC), soot and carbon monoxide (CO); they can also reduce NOx emissions at certain engine loads and cycles.

  

  Benefits of HVO and Biodiesel alternative fuels

CAT guidelines for renewable fuels

Here are Caterpillar’s guidelines for the use of renewable and alternative fuels according to the specifications described above:

• No special engine conversion process is needed when fuels are used for the first time or later.
• These fuels can reduce the power output of engines due to their low density. Up to 5% reduction can be recorded at 100%.
• They are compatible with after-treatment technologies such as DPF, DOC and SCR, and can be used in engines that meet Tier 4, Stage V and similar advanced emission standards.
• They are compatible with filters and engine oils used with typical diesel fuels. No impact on service intervals is expected. In general, it is recommended that oil change intervals be based on oil analysis.
• They are compatible with elastomeric materials and hoses used in most modern engines. Some elastomers used in older engines, such as those manufactured before the early 1990s, may not be compatible with the new alternative fuels. For guidance, contact your CAT dealer.
• They can be stored in the same tanks used for diesel fuel and have a similar ageing life as diesel.
• As with all fuels, renewable and alternative fuels should be managed to reduce environmental pollution and water consumption.
• The standard warranty and EPA emissions certification are not affected by the use of renewable and alternative fuels that meet the recommended specifications.

The use of fuels with a low carbon footprint supports the company’s sustainability initiative. Caterpillar continues to follow the development of renewable and alternative fuels and is committed to developing appropriate specifications to ensure the successful use of these fuels in CAT engines.

Written by: Kamil GWARA

mail: kamil.gwara@eneria.pl

CAT Power Generators Sets Ekspert