Does Soy Biodiesel really help the environment?

Answer: In comparison to fossil fuel biodiesel delivers transport energy at a fraction of the environmental cost of fossil fuels;

1. Biodiesel is almost four times more energy efficient than fossil diesel when the entire production and combustion chain is considered.
2. Emissions of carcinogenic compounds are reduced by 94 per cent.
3. Greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by 67 per cent. It also burns cleaner - with much lower levels of sulphur and particulate matter than fossil fuels.
4. Farming soybeans adds nitrogen to soil reducing fertiliser use, it also requires less water then conventional crops such as rice and cotton.
5. Biodiesel is non-toxic being 10 times less toxic than common table salt. Biodiesel is also highly biodegradable, breaking down at a rate similar to sugar.

Will it hurt my engine?

Answer: No, biodiesel lubricates moving parts more than regular diesel and helps clean diesel engines, while giving similar performance.

Does it cost more?

Answer: No, at current prices Biodiesel is similar or more affordable than fossil diesel.

Is it easy to handle?

Answer: Yes, Biodiesel is one of the safest transport fuels to use.

1. Soydiesel is safer than fossil diesel, with a higher flashpoint.
2. It is safer to transport, store and to have in your fuel tank.
3. Manufacturing is a clean and has minimal impact on the environment.

What vehicles can use Biodiesel?

Answer: All diesel engines can run on biodiesel blends. Many car and engine manufacturers are adjusting their products with extended warranty and service intervals for engine run of Biodiesel or Biodiesel blends. In older engines (Pre-1994) some original rubber components may need to be upgraded for use with biodiesel.

Does Biodiesel have Government support?

Answer: Yes, Governments all over the world are increasingly supporting the use of biodiesel. Australia, South Africa, E.U., U.S., China and India have all strongly supported the use of biodiesel with some Governments making its use in diesel blends compulsory.

How does Biodiesel Production Help our Nation’s Economy?

Answer: Producing biodiesel strengthens our rural and regional areas, reduces our dependency on diesel imports and keeps more jobs in Australia.

1. Provides significant local employment in the manufacturing sector.
2. Provides opportunities and benefits to farmers.
3. Significant impact on Balance of Payments through the
   import replacement of petroleum diesel and high protein animal feeds; and provides export opportunities for surplus animal feed.
4. Assists in securing the nations fuel supplies, reducing the dependency on the few suppling nations.

 Are all types of Biodiesel the same?

Answer: Biodiesel made from soybeans is superior to most because;

1. Soy oil is available in consistently high quality.
2. Can be used in cold weather.
3. More energy efficient production-to-use cycle.
4. Soybean based biodiesel has valuable by-products.
5. Soybeans are available around the world in large volumes.
6. Has a Cetane Value of 47 (within the diesel engine manufacturers optimum range of 44-48)

Are there any downsides to using biodiesel?

Answer: There can be some negative aspects to using biodiesel in isolated situations. These can usually be easily overcome.

1. Biodiesel produces a slight increase in Nitrogen Oxide emissions- Current catalytic conversion technology exists that mitigate these.
2. For extremely cold climates, below -2°C engines require a Biodiesel/ petroleum diesel blend to operate.
3. First time use of blends with more than 50% biodiesel in older diesel engines may cause engines to shed deposits left behind by fossil diesel. This can be overcome by a one off filter change. 

Are you aware of the origin (raw material) of the biodiesel… what is it?

Answer: Soybeans are the feedstock for Soybiodiesel®. Soybeans are a primary source of protein meal globally. Soybeans provide consistent quality feedstock oil for Biodiesel production. It is the most widely used feedstock oil for the production of BQ-9000 Accredited Biodiesel.

 

Is ethanol or methanol used in the production process?

Answer: Methanol – Soy Methyl Ester

 

Please supply the manufacture experience in producing Bio diesel.

Answer: Commencement in May 2006

 

Does the manufacturer have QA procedures?

Answer: YES - BQ 9000 Biodiesel Quality Assurance Program. Soybiodiesel® is the only Biodiesel product distributed in Australia sourced exclusively from BQ-9000 Accredited Producers. National Biodiesel is the only accredited BQ 9000 supplier or manufacturer in Australia.  BQ-9000 is recommended by all major engine manufacturers including CAT, Cummins, and Komatsu.

 

Soybiodiesel® meets the latest ASTM 6751-08, which commencing November 2008 incorporates the stringent Cold Soak Filterability Test (see check point 4). This is the final assurance that the fuel is fit for purpose. Soybiodiesel® is the only Biodiesel in Australia that passes the new ASTM.

 

NB warrant that all diesel fuel supplied to MC will meet the Commonwealth Fuel Standard (Automotive Diesel) Determination 2001 as amended and granted on 21 February 2009.

 

 

Is the manufacturer quality accredited i.e. ISO, NATA?

Answer: National Biodiesel is the only supplier of BQ 9000 accredited Soybiodiesel® in Australia.

 

What laboratory checks are made to ensure consistency in product quality?

Answer: Monthly Quality Assurance Testing is conducted at all terminal facilities by Intertek Caleb Brett.

 

Certificates of Analysis (CoA) for B100 Soybiodiesel® are obtained for every new terminal delivery received. The Laboratory Tests are conducted by the independent authority – Intertek Caleb Brett.

 

In addition, Certificates of Analysis for B20 Soydiesel® are obtained in addition to this every time there is a new shipment of mineral diesel from our mineral diesel supplier. The Laboratory Tests are conducted by the independent authority – Intertek Caleb Brett.

 

National Biodiesel have a full time Chemist and Quality Assurance Manager. Our Quality Assurance Manager has a strong background in science, having completed his PhD in Chemistry. He is a Chartered Chemist recognized by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and a member of the Institution of Engineering & Technology. 

 

NB Chemist and Quality Assurance Manager has built up a wealth of technical knowledge on biodiesel, biodiesel blends and diesel fuel on matters such as fuel quality, compatibility considerations and fuel storage. The position maintains strong experience on regulatory matters such as fuel standards and maintains strong relationships with the relevant Government bodies. Our QA Manager has established strong working relationships with independent testing authorities and a wide array of fuel additive suppliers that enable NB to remain at the forefront of fuel quality developments.

 

Has the facility an on-site laboratory for analysing chemical properties?

Answer: National Biodiesel contracts Intertek Caleb Brett for all its chemical product analysis.

 Do the specifications of the fuel match those of the Australian Standard for Biodiesel?

Answer: YES - B100 Soybiodiesel® meets the Australian Fuel Quality (Biodiesel) Determination 2001 (as amended Feb 2009).

 

NB has been granted approval by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts to supply automotive diesel containing up to 20 percent biodiesel under the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000.

 

B20 Soydiesel® falls under and is within the Australian Fuel Standard (Automotive Diesel) Determination 2001 (as amended Feb 2009).

  

Have you been supplied with a document from the biodiesel manufacturers stating that “the manufacturer warrants that the biodiesel fully complies with the Australian Standard?

Answer:                 YES – B100 Soybiodiesel® conforms to the Australian Fuel Quality Standard (Biodiesel Determination) 2001

 

Does the diesel component of the fuel meet the Australia Fuel Standards for automotive

Diesel:    YES

Blend:    YES - NB has been granted approval by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts to supply automotive diesel containing up to 20 percent biodiesel under the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000.

B20 Soydiesel® falls under and is within the Australian Fuel Standard (Automotive Diesel) Determination 2001 (as amended Feb 2009).

 

Do the combined specifications of both the diesel and biodiesel allow you to prepare the blend you require and still meet the standards?

Answer: YES

 

Have you had a sample analysed for the parameters specified by the Australian Fuel Standard?

Answer: YES – Section 13 Approvals have been granted by the Commonwealth

Have your operating conditions and location been considered in regard to cold temperatures causing plugging etc?

Answer:  YES - Soybiodiesel® has a superior cold flow property of -4°C assuring a fuel with excellent storage capabilities in colder climates. Soybiodiesel® meets the latest ASTM 6751-08, which commencing November 2008 incorporates the stringent Cold Soak Filterability Test. This is the final assurance that the fuel is fit for purpose. Soybiodiesel® is the only Biodiesel in Australia that passes the new ASTM. The cold soak test accelerates any crystallization or sedimentation formation by exposing the sample to cold temperatures for a long time. The sample is taken to 0^o c. and then passed through a 0.08 micron filter and the entire sample volume must pass through within a minimum amount of time. This test adds another level of thoroughness and security to the Biodiesel tests that are currently used.

What are the typical winter temperatures where the bio diesel is stored?

Answer: 0^o C to 25^o C

 

Has sufficient thought been given to the selection of the appropriate blend?

Answer: YES - Soybiodiesel® can be blended to a B20 and will remain within the Australian Fuel Standard (Automotive Diesel) which is applicable for all on-road and off-road fuel credit entitlements existing for automotive diesel.

 

What ratio is proposed to be manufactured, distributed, stored or used?

Answer: Manufactured – B100 Soybiodiesel®

Distributed, Stored or Used – Any blend from a B5 Soydiesel® to B100 Soybiodiesel®.

 

If greater than B20, what is the reason for selecting this blend?

Answer: Improved environmental; health; safety; and emission benefits.

 

Has the supplier of a blended fuel been able to adequately mix the two components?

Answer: YES - The homogenous ability of Soybiodiesel provides no problem with loading diesel first and then the Soybiodiesel or Soybiodiesel first then diesel. Tallow and UCO requires mixing at 10° above cloud point in order for the biodiesel and diesel to mix well. This is NOT relevant for Soybiodiesel.

 

What is the temperature of the fuel at point of blending?

Ambient

 

What process is used to blend the fuel?

In-line or sequential blending.

 

Are the biodiesel and/or biodiesel blend storage tanks drained at regular time intervals? (This is relevant both to the manufacturer of such a fuel and to the user).

Drained as product is used and replaced.

 

Are checks made to determine water in the tank?

 YES - All air has to pass through a candesant filter. Terminal Storage Tanks have floating roofs so there is no air contact with the fuel.

 

Are samples of the fuel mix taken at regular intervals for analysis?

YES - Monthly Quality Assurance Analysis is conducted.

 

Are filters being monitored regularly for blockage and replacement?

YES - and replaced when required.

 

Does the temperature of the storage tank allow the biodiesel or biodiesel blend to remain above its pour and cloud points?

YES

 

What if any measures are used to heat the storage tank?

No tank heating is required for Soybiodiesel. The homogenous ability of Soybiodiesel provides no problem with blending.  Tallow and UCO requires mixing at 10° above cloud point in order for the biodiesel and diesel to mix well. This is NOT relevant for Soybiodiesel.

 

If the fuel is to be stored for a period of time greater than 6 months has it oxidative stability been checked? 

Oxidation Stability is checked monthly as part of NB’s Quality Assurance Program.

 

What anti-oxidant is used? What is the concentration?

Anti-oxidant BF320 - Manufactured by Kemin.

 

If you wish to store, handle or use biodiesel do you have a MSDS for the material.

YES – Both for B100 Soybiodiesel® and Soydiesel® blends from B5 to B99

Do you know the flash point of the material you are handling?

B100 Soybiodiesel® exhibits a flash point of above 150°C. The CoA for our B100 Soydiesel is 165°C.

Is it within the Australian Standards?

YES - the Australian Standard specification for Flashpoint is 120°C (min)

 

 What blends do you manufacture, distribute or use?

 Any blend from a B5, B10 and B20 Soydiesel® and B100 Soybiodiesel®.

 What is the current status of the fuel you are interested in using?

Any blend from a B5, B10 and B20 Soydiesel® and B100 Soybiodiesel®. Engine Manufacturers Statements endorse varying blends from B5 to B100. In most cases BQ 9000 Accredited Biodiesel is recommended. US based engine manufacturers recommend that Biodiesel used in the blend must meet the ASTM D6751 standard, while European engine manufacturers recommend that Biodiesel used in the blend must meet the EN14214 standard.

 

Do you label vessels appropriately even if not regulated to do so?

YES – National Biodiesel label blends from B5 to B20 and B100.