The New World of Alternative Fuels: 1 The New World of Alternative Fuels Alison M. Hathcock
Permitting Coordinator
South Carolina UST Program
Alternative Fuel Overview: 2 Alternative Fuel Overview Two main categories
Ethanol
Most common: E10 and E85
Concerns lie with ethanol blends greater than E10
Biodiesel
Most common: B20
Concerns lie with biodiesel blends greater than B20
Advantages and Disadvantages of Ethanol Blends: 3 Advantages and Disadvantages of Ethanol Blends Improves air emissions
Can improve octane
Tax Incentives
Less Dependence on foreign fuels Compatibility Concerns
Phase Separation
Accelerated Corrosion
Conductivity
Reduced Fuel Economy
Compatibility Concerns: 4 Compatibility Concerns Why should we worry about compatibility?
State and Federal rules require that “ all equipment used for storing and dispensing motor fuels be compatible with the product being stored”
Compatibility Concerns: 5 Compatibility Concerns Can’t you use the same equipment that you use for regular unleaded gasoline?
The answer to this is “no.” Ethanol blended fuel can cause system parts to degrade and dissolve over time.
Equipment Concerns: 6 Equipment Concerns Why is equipment affected?
Simply put, E85 is not compatible with soft metals such as aluminum, brass and zinc; many plastics, such as polyurethane and PVC; and certain resins used in older, lined tanks.
How can these concerns be addressed?: 7 How can these concerns be addressed? UL-listed for high blend fuels
Manufacturer can provide documentation
Many components made are compatible
Information is not readily available
Nickel plating
Phase Separation and Accelerated Corrosion: 8 Phase Separation and Accelerated Corrosion What is “Phase Separation”?
Ethanol separates from the petroleum when water enters the tank.
Why does “Accelerated Corrosion” occur?
Loosens internal deposits and sludge
Degrades corrosion plugs
To avoid it-clean the tank properly
Conductivity and Fuel Economy: 9 Conductivity and Fuel Economy
Ethanol has a greater electrical conductivity than petroleum
Fuel Economy
Decreases by about 10 %
What is Biodiesel?: 10 What is Biodiesel? Produced from vegetable oils or recycled greases
Raw oils that have not been processed should be avoided
Recognized as an alternative fuel under 1992 Energy Policy Act
B20: 11 B20 Most common blend
Good balance between cost, emissions, performance, compatibility and solvency
Minimum blend for compliance with Energy Act
1 to 2 percent decrease
in Fuel economy
Advantages and Disadvantages of Biodiesel: 12 Advantages and Disadvantages of Biodiesel Tax Incentives
Less foreign fuels
Increased lubrication
Reduced air emissions
Renewable
Nontoxic
Biodegradable Compatibility concerns (>B20)
Cold flow
Fuel Economy
Solvency
Compatibility Concerns : 13 Compatibility Concerns Potential equipment problems
Only evident for blends greater than B20
Hoses and Gaskets
Inappropriate filters may clog
Some plastics
Compatibility Concerns: 14 Compatibility Concerns Brass, Bronze, Copper, Lead may accelerate corrosion and create sediments
Fittings made of these materials may change colors
Natural Rubber and Nitrile may soften and cause gaskets to fail
Acceptable Materials: 15 Acceptable Materials Teflon, Viton, Fluorinated Plastics, Nylon
Aluminum, Steel, Fluorinated Polyethylene and Polypropylene, Fiberglass
Questions on materials: National Biodiesel Board
Recommendations: 16 Recommendations Nozzle Conversion kit for compatibility issues
30 Micron filter for solvency issues
Set up monthly monitoring program
Other Biodiesel Concerns: 17 Other Biodiesel Concerns Cold Flow
Freezes/ gels at higher temperatures then conventional diesel
May cause filters to clog
Fuel Economy
Economy decreases with higher blends
Solvency
May loosen/dissolve sediments in tank
What should an inspection consist of?: 18 What should an inspection consist of? Signs of wear on hoses, gaskets and seals
Regular filter changes
Automatic tank gauge is calibrated for biodiesel and is producing accurate results
Check for proper labeling
SC UST Program Alternative Fuel Initiatives: 19 SC UST Program Alternative Fuel Initiatives Created Alternative
Fuel Checklist
Should be completed
for new installs and
conversions
Required for blends
greater than B20/ E10
Recommended for all
other blends
SC UST Program Alternative Fuel Initiatives: 20 SC UST Program Alternative Fuel Initiatives Established relationship with Palmetto Clean Fuels Coalition
Created an alternative fuel reference guide
contains compatibility documents and research
SC UST Program Alternative Fuel Initiatives: 21 SC UST Program Alternative Fuel Initiatives Contacted owners who converted prior to checklist
Shared our knowledge with EPA Regions 3, 4 and 5
Established a program to track all facilities who use alternative fuels (UST’s only)
Current SC E85 UST locations: 45
Current SC B20 UST locations: 39
Current/Proposed Alternative Fuel Production Sites: 22 Current/Proposed Alternative Fuel Production Sites
SC E85/Biodiesel Consumption (Gallons): 23 SC E85/Biodiesel Consumption (Gallons)
Questions?: 24 Questions? Thank you for your time!
Alison M. Hathcock
UST Permitting Coordinator
SC Dept. of Health & Environmental Control
(803) 896-6942
hathcoam@dhec.sc.gov