Biodiesel FAME vs renewable HVO biodiesel
FAME vs HVO
Biodiesel has been touted as a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional petroleum-based diesel. While biodiesel can be produced from a variety of sources, including vegetable oil, animal fat, and algae, it is primarily produced through two processes: fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). In this article, we will discuss the advantages of HVO biodiesel production compared to FAME.
Newer technology
HVO biodiesel production is a newer technology that involves the use of hydrotreating, a process that uses hydrogen gas and a catalyst to remove impurities and convert the feedstock into high-quality diesel fuel. This process has several advantages over FAME biodiesel production, including:
- Higher-quality fuel: HVO biodiesel has a higher cetane number, which is a measure of the fuel's ignition quality. This means that HVO biodiesel burns more efficiently and produces less emissions than FAME biodiesel. In addition, HVO biodiesel has a lower sulfur content, which further reduces emissions and helps to improve air quality.
- Greater feedstock flexibility: FAME biodiesel production is limited to certain types of feedstock, such as vegetable oil and animal fat. HVO biodiesel, on the other hand, can be produced from a wider range of feedstocks, including waste oils, algae, and even wood chips. This flexibility helps to reduce the demand for food-based feedstocks and promotes the use of waste materials for fuel production.
- Better cold weather performance: FAME biodiesel has a higher cloud point, which is the temperature at which the fuel starts to solidify. This can lead to clogged fuel filters and reduced engine performance in cold weather. HVO biodiesel, on the other hand, has a lower cloud point and better cold weather performance.
- Longer shelf life: FAME biodiesel has a shorter shelf life than HVO biodiesel, which can lead to quality degradation over time. HVO biodiesel has a longer shelf life, which helps to ensure the fuel remains stable and reliable during storage and transportation.
- Lower carbon footprint: HVO biodiesel has a lower carbon footprint than FAME biodiesel. This is because the hydrotreating process used to produce HVO biodiesel requires less energy and produces fewer emissions than the transesterification process used to produce FAME biodiesel. In addition, HVO biodiesel can be produced from feedstocks that are grown on degraded or marginal land, which helps to minimize land-use changes and further reduce emissions.
Conclusion
While both FAME and HVO biodiesel production have their benefits, HVO biodiesel has several advantages over FAME biodiesel, including higher-quality fuel, greater feedstock flexibility, better cold weather performance, longer shelf life, and a lower carbon footprint. As such, HVO biodiesel production is becoming an increasingly popular choice for those looking for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional diesel fuel.
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