Bio-Diesel

Bio-Diesel is legislated in Manitoba for all diesel fuel. This is blended in during the summer months.

There can be a slight performance difference in the two products; that is, slightly more fuel consumption and slightly less power with bio-diesel. The differences are not expected to be measurable, especially at a bio level of 0-5%. A Natural Resources Canada evaluation project on the use of bio-diesel on farms showed that "atmospheric conditions" and "normal field variability would likely mask any differences" in power and fuel economy because the "differences were so small".

Because the specifications are the same, the issues are the same. Using summer diesel in cold temperatures will potentially have the same problems with bio-diesel as with a non bio-diesel. The cloud points are the same. The Natural Resources Canada project showed that when bio "is successfully blended into diesel, it will remain dispersed in the diesel when the temperature drops".

The Natural Resources Canada project confirmed as expected that bio has poor cold temperature properties, but that it was "not a show stopper for bio-diesel, it merely increases the complexity for the supplier in adjusting components so that the blend has an appropriate cloud point for the season and region". With the 2% mandate in Manitoba, to avoid this complexity (as well as cost and component availability), the industry will produce bio-diesel in the warmer months in percentages of up to 5% and winter diesel with no bio.

Bio-diesel does have solvent properties. The deposits that can normally occur in the fuel system over a 'period of time' can be loosened with bio-diesel, transported through the fuel system and lodged in fuel filters reducing fuel flow. As the Natural Resources Canada Project indicated, the "remedy is simple, change the filter".

Contrary to what some fuel companies or dealers may be saying, there is not believed to be a need for a special filter of any type.

Bio has a naturally higher lubricity, although not significantly. Bio-diesel, like past diesel fuels, will still need to be additized at refineries and terminals to insure adequate lubricity.

The shelf life of bio-diesel is shorter than regular diesel. On the other hand, it is thought to be up to a year depending on storage temperatures, the higher the temperatures the shorter the shelf life. In particular, since over-winter temperatures are cooler, or cold, there shouldn't be an issue with farmers storing bio-diesel over the winter for use in the spring.