Renewable Diesel Composition
- Renewable diesels (paraffinic fuels) are not the same as biodiesel or fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) which are chemically different and have different properties.
- Renewable diesel fuel is made through a different process (hydrotreating and isomerization) for converting feedstocks such as vegetable oils, animal fats, and waste oils into a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional diesel fuel.
- Renewable Diesel (RD) may also be called Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO).
- Many known issues with biodiesel are not a factor with renewable diesel; RD/HVO is more standardized than biofuel so it is easier to control quality/consistency.
- Switching to renewable diesel from petroleum-based diesel and back will not have any ill effects.
- Renewable diesel is more stable than biodiesel and shelf life is similar to ULSD.
- Does not have the same filter plugging contaminants as biodiesel such as saturated monoglycerides, soaps or sterols. In general, with 100% renewable diesel, filter life will be comparable to life in petroleum diesel.
- Renewable diesel has less affinity for water than petroleum diesel. Filter life and water separation efficiency are expected to be comparable between 100% renewable diesel and petroleum diesel.
- Renewable diesel does require additives to meet lubricity specifications, however, these additives are introduced to the fuel before delivery to the end users. Any additional additives afterward can adversely impact fuel water separation.
