The New World of Alternative Fuels

1
The New World of Alternative Fuels

• Alison M. Hathcock
• Permitting Coordinator
• South Carolina UST Program

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

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

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

5
Compatibility Concerns

• Cant 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.

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.

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

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

9
Conductivity and Fuel Economy

• Ethanol has a greater electrical conductivity
  than petroleum
• Fuel Economy
• Decreases by about 10

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

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

12
Advantages and Disadvantages of Biodiesel

• Tax Incentives
• Less foreign fuels
• Increased lubrication
• Reduced air emissions
• Renewable
• Nontoxic
• Biodegradable

• Compatibility concerns (gtB20)
• Cold flow
• Fuel Economy
• Solvency

13
Compatibility Concerns

• Potential equipment problems
• Only evident for blends greater than B20
• Hoses and Gaskets
• Inappropriate filters may clog
• Some plastics

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

15
Acceptable Materials

• Teflon, Viton, Fluorinated Plastics, Nylon
• Aluminum, Steel, Fluorinated Polyethylene and
  Polypropylene, Fiberglass
• Questions on materials National Biodiesel Board

16
Recommendations

• Nozzle Conversion kit for compatibility issues
• 30 Micron filter for solvency issues
• Set up monthly monitoring program

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

18
What should aninspection 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

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

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

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 (USTs only)
• Current SC E85 UST locations 45
• Current SC B20 UST locations 39

22
Current/Proposed Alternative Fuel Production Sites
23
SC E85/Biodiesel Consumption (Gallons)
24
Questions?

• Thank you for your time!
• Alison M. Hathcock
• UST Permitting Coordinator
• SC Dept. of Health Environmental Control
• [phone]
• hathcoam_at_dhec.sc.gov