WSF Biodiesel Demonstration Project Final Report Page: 1 of 262
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Washington State Ferries Biodiesel Project Executive Summary
In 2004, WSF canceled a biodiesel fuel test because of "product quality issues" that caused
the fuel purifiers to clog. The cancelation of this test and the poor results negatively
impacted the use of biodiesel in marine application in the Pacific Northwest.
In 2006, The U.S. Department of Energy awarded the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency a grant
to manage a scientific study investigating appropriate fuel specifications for biodiesel, fuel
handling procedures and to conduct a fuel test using biodiesel fuels in WSF operations. The
Agency put together a project team comprised of experts in fields of biodiesel research and
analysis, biodiesel production, marine engineering and WSF personnel. The team reviewed
biodiesel technical papers, reviewed the 2004 fuel test results, designed a fuel test plan and
provided technical assistance during the test.
The research reviewed the available information on the 2004 fuel test and conducted mock
laboratory experiments, but was not able to determine why the fuel filters clogged. The team
then conducted a literature review and designed a fuel test plan. The team implemented a
controlled introduction of biodiesel fuels to the test vessels while monitoring the
environmental conditions on the vessels and checking fuel quality throughout the fuel
distribution system.
The fuel test was conducted on the same three vessels that participated in the canceled 2004
test using the same ferry routes. Each vessel used biodiesel produced from a different
feedstock (i.e. soy, canola and yellow grease). The vessels all ran on ultra low sulfur diesel
blended with biodiesel. The percentage of biodiesel was incrementally raised form from 5 to
20 percent. Once the vessels reached the 20 percent level, they continued at this blend ratio
for the remainder of the test. Fuel samples were taken from the fuel manufacturer, during
fueling operations and at several points onboard each vessel. WSF Engineers monitored the
performance of the fuel systems and engines.
Each test vessel did experience a microbial growth bloom that produced a build up of
material in the fuel purifiers similar to material witnessed in the 2004 fuel test. A biocide
was added with each fuel shipment and the problem subsided.
In January of 2009, the WSF successfully completed an eleven month biodiesel fuel test
using approximately 1,395,000 gallons of biodiesel blended fuels. The project demonstrated
that biodiesel can be used successfully in marine vessels and that current ASTM
specifications are satisfactory for marine vessels. Microbial growth in biodiesel diesel
interface should be monitored. An inspection of the engines showed no signs of being
negatively impacted by the test.
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University, Washington State; Idaho, University of; The Glosten Associates, Inc. & Imperium Renewables, Inc. WSF Biodiesel Demonstration Project Final Report, report, April 30, 2009; United States. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc928725/m1/1/: accessed April 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.