biodiesel information for passenger cars

Biodiesel Information for Passenger Cars

•DefinitionsofBio-BasedDieselFuels

•MercedesBenz/DaimlerApprovalConcerningBiodiesel

•FrequentlyAskedQuestionsonBiodieselFuelIssues

•FrequentlyAskedQuestionsonBiodieselVehicleIssues

Overview

Biodiesel Information for Passenger Cars Last Updated June 2010

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Definitions of Bio-Based Diesel Fuels

Biodiesel: BiodieselischemicallyreferredtoFattyAcidMethylEster(FAME).Itisproducedfromrawvegetableoiloranimalfatandmethanol.Biodieselischemicallydistinctfrompetroleumdieselandbearsqualityrisks,dependingonfeedstock(fuelageing,coldflow),givenphysicalproperties(fuelevaporation),andaccuracyofproductionprocess(contaminations).Therefore,theuseofbiodieselcanhavetechnicalimplicationsupontheoperationoftheengine/fuelsystem.

Renewable Diesel Fuels:Non-biodieselfuels.Producedfromdifferentbiologicalmaterialsthroughvariousproductionprocesses:

Renewable Diesel: A paraffinic fuel with high quality produced from vegetable oil or animal fat by hydro treatment.

Biomass-to-Liquid = Sun Diesel (BTL): A paraffinic fuel with high quality produced from biomass (e.g. waste biomass) which is converted through high-temperature gasification into a synthetic gas, which is then transferred by Fischer-Tropsch process to the liquid fuel.

Vegetable Oil: Non-biodiesel fuel. Unprocessed vegetable oil extracted from plants is not suitable as fuel for on-road diesel vehicles due to it’s low cetane number <40, high viscosity, and coking behavior.


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Main Quality Characteristics of Straight Biodiesel (B100 / 100%)

Fatty Acid Methyl Ester content: DescribesthepurityofbiodieselandisnotregulatedintheUSA.

Aging characteristics: Biodieseltendstooxidizemorerapidlythandieselbyformingacidsandpolymers.Theoxidationstabilitydependsonthefeedstockused.SoybeanMethylEster(SME)whichismainlyusedintheUnitedStateshasaloweroxidationstabilitycomparedtothatofbiodieselfromotherfeedstocks.

Contaminations:Duetoproductionshortcomingstherearepossibilitiesforthecontaminationofbiodieselwithalotofharmfulbyproducts.Therearedistributors/retailerssellingbiodieselblendeddieselthatarenotcertifiedforthequalityoftheirproductandproductionprocesses.

Higherbiodieselblendingincreasesthepossiblenegativeeffectsoftheabovementionedqualitydeficienciesandpossibledamagetotheengine/fuelsystem.Mercedes-Benz/DaimlerApprovalConcerningBiodiesel.


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Mercedes-Benz/Daimler Approval Concerning Biodiesel

Mercedes-BenzapprovestheuseofB5accordingtoASTMD975(standardUltraLowSulphurDiesel(ULSD)withamaximumofupto5%biodiesel)inallCommonRailInjection(CDI)andBlueTECdieselenginesTheonlyapprovedprocessedbiodieselforB5blendingisonethatmeetsASTMD975specificationtopreventdamagetotheenginesystemfromdepositsand/orcorrosion.

Dieselfuelscontainingahigherpercentageofbiodiesel,(e.g.B6toB20)accordingtoASTMD7467aswellasstraightbiodiesel(B100/100%)ASTMD6751maycauseseveredamagetoyourengine/fuelsystemandarenotapproved.

TheMercedes-BenzLimitedWarrantydoesnotcoverdamagescausedbytheuseoffuelsthatdonotmeetMercedes-Benzapprovedfuelstandards.

Mercedes-BenzvehiclesmustonlyusequalifiedcommercialbrandfuelthatmeetMercedes-Benzapprovedfuelstandards!

Labeling of approved fuels.

Attention! Any percentage of homebrewed biodiesel does not meet Mercedes-Benz approved fuel standards and is not approved!


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•FuelRegulationsintheUSAConcerningBiodiesel

•HomeBrewedVersusCommerciallyProducedBiodiesel

•TechnicalRisksofDieselFuelContainingBiodiesel

Frequently Asked Questions on Biodiesel Fuel Issues


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Fuel Regulations in the USA Concerning Biodiesel

Regularultralowsulfurdiesel(ULSD)acc.toASTMD975mightcontainbiodieselupto5%v/v.RecentlyanotherspecificationforanULSDwithabiodieselcontentof5.5to20%v/v=B20waspassed.Biodieselwhichisusedforblendingorasstraightbiodiesel(B100/100%)hastofulfilltheASTMD6751.Therequirementforagingstabilityisnotsufficientlyregulated.B100itselfisnotsuitableforDPFapplications

ItisuptotheindividualUSstatestoadopttheASTMstandards.

DuetoqualitydeficienciesB20andB100arenotsuitableforpassengercarandlightdutytruckapplicationsofMercedes-Benzequippedwithdieselparticulatetraps.

Fuels which are labeled like this are:Approved by Mercedes-Benz!

Only diesel with the ULSD label is the approved fuel. Up tp 5% vol biodiesel(ASTM D975): no special labeling

Fuels which are labeled like this are:Not approved by Mercedes-Benz!

100% Biodiesel (ASTM D6751): B100 Up to 20% Vol Biodiesel (ASTM D7467):B20


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Home Brewed versus Commercially Produced Biodiesel

Forhomebrewing,theproductionprocesscannotbecontrolledinanadequatemannerconcerningcompletenessofreaction,conditioning,processingandcleaningnecessities.Aqualifiedproductionprocessandalsobiodieselblendingwouldrequireacompleteanalyticalfuellaboratory,whichhomebrewproducerswouldmostlikelynotinvestin.ThismayleadtofuelsnotmeetingASTMspecifications.

Privatefuelstoragefacilitiesmaynotbesuitable.

Fuels which do not meet the ASTM specifications are NOT approved by Mercedes Benz and the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty does not cover damages caused by the use of fuels that do not meet Mercedes-Benz approved fuel standards !


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•TechnicalRisksofDieselFuelContainingBiodiesel

•FurtherImpactsofBiodieselonVehicleCharacteristics

•RecommendationsforaVehicleWithExtendedStandstillPeriod•

•WarrantyGuidelinesforBiodieselUsage

Frequently Asked Questions on Biodiesel Vehicle Issues

WhichUseDieselFuelContainingBiodieselforPeriods>4Weeks


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Technical Risks of Diesel Fuel Containing Biodiesel

Cloggingoffuelfiltercausedbya)soaps,whichmaybeformedbybiodieselcomponents(agingproductsandcontaminants)b)microbes,whichmaycontaminatebiodieselblends.

Fuelgellingundercoldclimateconditions,e.g.additivesofbiodieselandconventionaldieselaresometimesincompatible.


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Sludgeformationwithinengineoilduetobiodieselagingproducts.

Increaseinengineoildegradationwhendrivingunderlowloadconditionsasbiodieselhasdifficultyevaporatingfromengineoil.

Technical Risks of Diesel Fuel Containing Biodiesel (continued)


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Sticking/corrosionofhighpressurepumpparts/injectorsespeciallyafteralongerstand-stillperiodofthevehicleduetoagingproductsofbiodiesel(stickypolymers,acids).



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Nozzlecoking/andinjectordepositsacceleratedthroughby-productsofbiodiesel.

Depositformationonpistonringsandalsoonlambdasensors,exhaustgasrecirculationsystemparts.



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Further Impacts of Biodiesel on Vehicle Characteristics

Impact of Biodiesel on Engine NoiseThereisnonegativeimpactonnoise,vibration,orharshnesswhenusingapprovedbiodieselcontainingULSD(B5)

Burning Properties of Diesel Fuel Containing Biodiesel (Emissions)ThereisnochangeinthelevelofregulatedemissionswhenusingapprovedbiodieselblendedULSD(B5)

Exhaust Smell When Using Diesel Fuel Containing BiodieselTheuseofB5willnotresultinadifferentsmell.B100exhausthasadifferentsmellthanthatofdieselexhaust.(smellslikeFrenchfryoil).Fordieselcontainingbiodiesel,smelldependsonblendingrate.

Fuel Consumption and Engine Power Comparison (Diesel vs. Biodiesel Blended Diesel)BiodieselcontaininguptoB5willhavenodifferenceintermsofpowerandfueleconomynotablewhencomparedtonormaldiesel.

Biodiesel>B5hasalowerenergycontentthandieselfuelwhichresultsinaslightpowerlossandaslightlyincreasedfuelconsumption.


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Beforeparkingthevehicle,thefueltankshouldbefilled.Reducingtheemptyvolumeofthefueltankreducestheamountofoxygenleftinthefueltankwhichleadstobiodieselaging.Thevehicleshouldnotbeparkedinthesun,highertemperaturewillcausequickerbiodieselagingandcanleadtotheformationofcorrosiveacidsandstickypolymers.Whenvehicleidlingisnotpossibleduringandafterthestandstillperiodaslistedabove,anauthorizedMercedes-Benzdealermayhavetochangehydraulicpartsandpumpoutthefueltank.


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Recommendations for a Vehicle With Extended Standstill Periods Which UseDiesel Fuel Containing Biodiesel for Periods > 4 Weeks

Refer to the appropriate owner, maintenance manuals for your vehicle.DieselfuelwithuptoB5BiodieselcontentaccordingtoULSDspecificationASTMD975meetsMercedes-BenzapprovedfuelstandardsandwillnotvoidcoverageundertheMercedes-BenzLimitedWarranty.AlldieselfuelscontaininggreaterthanB5biodieselaswellasstraightbiodiesel(B100/100%)arenotapprovedbyMercedes-Benzastheriskforsevereenginedamageisincreased.Anydamagescausedbytheuseofsuchnon-approvedfuelswillnotbecoveredbytheMercedes-BenzLimitedWarranty.

Vehicle Modifications for Biodiesel UsageNomodificationkitisnecessaryforuptoB5Biodieselcontent.

BiodieselcontentgreaterthanB5isNOTapprovedforMercedes-Benzvehicles,hencenoapprovedmodificationkitisavailable.

Warranty Guidelines for Biodiesel Usage


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Example shown: Model Year 2010 (All Models) Maintenance Manual


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©2010 Mercedes-Benz USA LLC • One Mercedes Drive, Montvale, NJ 07645 • 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES • www.mbusa.comMarketing Communications. All illustrations and specifications contained in this brochure are based on the latest product informationavailable at the time of the publication. Mercedes-Benz reserves the right to make changes at any time, without notice, to colors,materials, equipment, specifations, and models. Any variations in colors shown are due to reproduction variations in the printingprocess. Illustrations may include test situations. Some vehicles may be shown with non-U.S. equipment. Some vehicles are shownwith optional equipment.All rights reserved.

biodiesel information for passenger cars

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