According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), pollution from existing diesel trucks and buses can be reduced significantly by using Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel in combination with "emission particulate traps." This combination can reduce the emission of particulate combustion by-products by as much as 90 percent below the levels of typical diesel fuel. ULSD contains no more than 15 parts per million of sulfur, much lower than the 500 parts per million that can be found in typical diesel fuels. Regulations of the EPA require that ULSD be available nationwide beginning in 2006, but King County agencies began working to reduce sulfur emissions through conversion to ULSD fuels ahead of the deadline in accordance with King County's Clean Air Initiative.
King County has been purchasing ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel since 2002. The fuel switch, along with the addition of filters, reduced particulate emissions by 90 percent. ULSD has the same energy and performance characteristics as standard diesel, so its use does not affect engine performance or warranties. All King County Fleets, including Metro Transit, Solid Waste Division and Fleet Administration Equipment Shop, purchased ULSD in 2006, in the amount of almost twelve million gallons of fuel at a cost of twenty-six million dollars. The US EPA’s Heavy-Duty Highway Diesel rule (the “2007 Highway Rule”) is now in effect which requires all new diesel equipment to adopt the particulate-filter technology and use ULSD that King County adopted in 2002.
- King County let this contract expire and decided to use the State of Washington's contract for ULSD and biodiesel (see below)
See the specification for biodiesel 100
Read the King County DOT press release: "Biodiesel starts flowing in Metro Buses"
- State of Washington Fuel Contract (#07705)
- King County now uses the State of Washington's contract for ULSD and biodiesel
- This contract is intended to satisfy the on-going replenishment of state’s network of gasoline, heating oil, and diesel (including biodiesel) fuel storage tanks .
Excerpts of contract (Follow this link for the full text of contract)
Low Sulfur #2 dyed diesel (LS) / Ultra Low Sulfur # 2 dyed diesel (ULSD)
For now, state agencies intend to standardize on Low Sulfur #2 dyed diesel. Many large volume co-op members have already transitioned to Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel ahead of the federal mandate but the state does not intend on transitioning to ULSD until summer of 2006 and WSF won’t do so until market conditions favor such action.
Biodiesel (B100)
Biodiesel goals have been established for our customers yet the state recognizes that biodiesel is an emerging market posing significant challenges. A number of high volume co-op members have already introduced biodiesel and many other customers have expressed a desire to do so once the market matures and availability allows. The Washington State Ferries and some co-op members have very stringent biodiesel specification and mixing requirements that must be met to function properly and/or to fulfill environmental mandates. Still other customers’ biodiesel specification requirements are much less stringent. Therefore, in an effort to advance the development and maturity of the biodiesel market, the state intends to offer customers two grades of biodiesel on a limited basis and broaden its use as market conditions dictate. As the biodiesel market matures, the state expects that biodiesel production will increase and become readily available. Until then, Contractors are expected to make a good faith effort to meet the state’s demand for biodiesel. The state will define “B#1” and “B#2” biodiesel grades in the specification section of this IFB (See BioDiesel Specifications section 7.2). Written pre-approval from the State Contract Administrator will be required before contract customers will be allowed to purchase biodiesel via this contract. Granting permission to utilize biodiesel will be based largely on market availability and the customer’s readiness to transition to a biodiesel blend.
Biodiesel specifications
BIODIESEL
Many of our customers have had success introducing biodiesel and are poised to increase their volume commitment as availability allows. Other high-volume customers such as City of Seattle (B20), King County Metro Transit (B5), and WSF (B20-goal) have more demanding emission or performance requirements dictating a more exacting and consistent specification of the highest purity so as to achieve reliable results. Should a problem arise, these customer types must have the ability to track down the source of the problem so as to rule out biodiesel as the root cause. As the biodiesel market matures, the state anticipates that biodiesel quality and reliability issues will be resolved. Until then, the state seeks to offer our customers two different biodiesel specifications (B#1 & B#2) as defined herein. The main difference is that the B#1 specification gives customers improved quality control measures whereas the B#2 specification is intended to offer customers what is readily available. It is the states expectation that the next, soon-to-be released ASTM biodiesel revision will satisfy the quality and reliability needs of most customers. At a minimum, all B#1 biodiesel must conform to the following:
- B#1 QUALITY
- Besides adhering to government and industry quality standards, the B#1 must at a minimum:
- a) Be produced by a BQ 9000 certified facility
- Upon request of the purchaser, a certificate of analysis shall be provided for the B#1 ordered. The vendor shall retain this certificate for a period of 3 years. Testing will be required if any failures point to a fuel related issue, at the biodiesel providers expense. Note: The National Biodiesel Board BQ-9000 Accreditation Program has developed a system for monitoring the production, handling and distribution of biodiesel that maintains the fuel properties at the ASTM D6751 specification with rigorous requirements for sampling, testing, storage, retention of samples, blending and shipping.
- b) Be consistent in manufacture (one manufacture utilizing one feedstock)
- The distributor shall take a sample of the B-100 B#1 product from each batch and seal label and store the samples for a period of 7-months. Upon request of the purchaser, the contractor shall supply the sample for testing purposes.
- c) Be free of contamination resulting in bacteria or condensation.
- If bacteria are present, the appropriate treatment shall be applied to the biodiesel at their expense.
- d) Be filter-cleaned to 5 microns or less.
- The B 100-B#1 must be filtered to 5 microns on transfer from storage tanks to the hauler's truck.
- e) Be virgin from a single feedstock and homogeneous
- Note: The inclusion of recycled products (i.e. “yellow grease”) in the manufacturing process will not be permitted for the B#1 specification.
- f) Meet or exceed ASTM-D-6751-03a Grade S15 specification
- B#1 MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS
- Minimum specifications as shown will be met or exceeded.
Property
Test Method
Current Limits
Units
Flash point (closed cup)
D 93
130.0 min
°C
Water and Sediment
D 2709
0.050 max
% volume
Kinematic Viscosity, 40°C
D 445
1.9–6.0
mm2/s
Sulfated Ash
D 874
0.020 max
% mass
Sulfur
D 5453
0.05 max
% mass
Copper Strip Corrosion
D 130
No. 3 max
Cetane Number
D 613
47 min
Cloud Point
D 2500
-1°
°C
Carbon Residue
D 4530
0.050 max
% mass
Acid Number
D 664
0.80 max
mg KOH/g
Free Glycerin
D 6584
0.020
% mass
Total Glycerin
D 6584
0.240
% mass
Phosphorus Content
D 4951
0.001 max
% mass
Distillation Temperature, AET, 90%
D 1160
360 max
°C
Additionally, after July 1, 2006 the B100#1 is to meet or exceed the following:
Calcium plus Magnesium
5.0 max
ppm
Sodium plus Potassium
5.0 max
ppm
Oxidation Stability
ASTM D 2274
Or
Rancimat EN 14112
10/100 max
1.75 min
mg/ml
hour
Linolenic acid concentration
12 max
% mass
Water content
Karl Fischer Moisture
500 max
ppm
Particulate contamination
24 max
mg/kg
Acid Number
ASTM D 664
0.50 max
mg KOH/g
Kinematic Viscosity, 40 oC
ASTM D 445
1.9-5.0
mm2/s
Calcium plus Magnesium
5.0 max
ppm
- B#1 BLENDING & HANDLING
- Unless otherwise specified, the blending and handling of biodiesel must to conform to the most current BioDiesel Handling and Use Guidelines as defined by the U.S. Department of Energy (currently 2004 http://www.eere.energy.gov/biomass/pdfs/36182.pdf ).
- a) The hauler shall blend the B100#1 with petroleum diesel as specified by the customer.
- b) The hauler is to load the biodiesel prior to loading the petroleum diesel.
- c) The B100#1 is to be transferred using clean, dedicated hoses that are properly labeled for that purpose only.
- d) All B100#1 transfer shall be metered into the haulers truck compartments.
- e) Each compartment in the haulers vehicle shall be loaded with the correct percentage of biodiesel corresponding to the blend ordered. If for example a B-20#1 blend was ordered, each compartment shall contain 20% by volume of biodiesel. Likewise, if a B-5#1 blend was ordered, each compartment shall contain 5% by volume of biodiesel.
- f) After the biodiesel is loaded into the haulers truck, the tanks are then to be filled with petroleum diesel so as to achieve the requested biodiesel blend ratio and to achieve proper mixing.
- g) Unless the customer specifies otherwise(in writing) BioDiesel is to be metered (and not measured by weight)
- B#1 SAMPLING & TESTING
- So as to rule out biodiesel as the cause of the trouble, the hauling shall obtain two samples of the delivered product upon request of the purchaser. These samples shall be retained for 7 months from the delivery date and provided to the end user upon request. The two samples shall be the following:
- a) A one-quart sample (unless customer specifies a smaller sample) of B-100#1 at the time the biodiesel is loaded into the hauler’s tank truck.
- b) A one-quart sample (unless customer specifies a smaller sample) of the blended, finished product (e.g. B-20, B-5) at the time of delivery. This sample shall be taken from the middle of one of the hauler’s tank truck compartments using an appropriate sample gathering device.
- B#1 PRODUCT AGE
- Biodiesel in its pure form (B-100) is known to degrade due to age. The state seeks to obtain as fresh a product as practical but in no case shall the product be older than four months from the date of manufacture.
- BIODIESEL B#2 QUALITY
- Besides adhering to government and industry quality standards, the B#2 must at a minimum:
- a) Be consistent in manufacture (one manufacture utilizing one feedstock)
- b) Be free of contamination resulting in bacteria or condensation.
- If bacteria are present, the biodiesel the appropriate treatment shall be applied at the contractor’s expense.
- c) Be virgin from a single feed stock.
- d) Meet or exceed ASTM-D-6751-03a Grade S15 specification
- BIODIESEL B#2 BLENDING & HANDLING
- Unless otherwise specified, the blending and handling of biodiesel must conform to the most current BioDiesel Handling and Use Guidelines as defined by the U.S. Department of Energy (currently 2004 http://www.eere.energy.gov/biomass/pdfs/36182.pdf ).
- a) The hauler shall blend the B100#2 with petroleum diesel as specified by the customer.
- b) The hauler is to load the biodiesel in accordance with industry standards.
- c) All B100#2 transfers shall be metered into the haulers truck compartments.
- d) Each compartment in the haulers vehicle shall be loaded with the correct percentage of biodiesel corresponding to the blend ordered. If for example a B-20#2 blend was ordered, each compartment shall contain 20% by volume of biodiesel. Likewise, if a B-5#2 blend was ordered, each compartment shall contain 5% by volume of biodiesel.
- e) After the biodiesel is loaded into the haulers truck, the tanks are then to be filled with petroleum diesel so as to achieve the requested biodiesel blend ratio and to achieve proper mixing.
- f) Unless the customer specifies otherwise(in writing) BioDiesel is to be metered (and not measured by weight)
- BIODIESEL B#2 PRODUCT AGE
- Biodiesel in its pure form (B-100) is known to degrade due to age. The state seeks to obtain as fresh a product as practical but in no case shall the product be older than four months from the date of manufacture.
King County's current supplier
- Associated Petroleum (800) 929-5243 supplies the following products:
- ConocoPhillips - ULSD product
- World Energy - Biodiesel product (B100)
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Updated: September, 2006
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