National Trucking Company’s Biodiesel Study Shows Positive Results
22 March 2007
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With 350,000 miles covered in a two-million mile over-the-road test comparing B20 biodiesel to conventional petroleum diesel in its heavy-duty fleet, Decker Truck Line is reporting substantial benefits in the use of the biofuel.
Decker and its partners in the Two Million Mile Haul—Caterpillar, Iowa Soybean Association, National Biodiesel Board (NBB), US Department of Agriculture, Iowa Central Community College and Renewable Energy Group—released the interim results at the Mid-America Trucking Show.
What we’ve observed so far is great performance in the particularly cold winter we just experienced, and reduced maintenance and engine wear benefits that equal or outweigh the slightly higher cost of the biodiesel blend.
—Dale Decker
Decker Truck Line is using B20 biodiesel in 20 of the company’s trucks, running from its terminal in Fort Dodge, Iowa to either Chicago or Minneapolis. The trucks are Peterbilt 379s, 388s, and 389s, with mostly flatbed trailers. All trucks have Caterpillar C13 or C15 engines built to EPA 2004 and EPA 2007 emissions levels.
According to Decker, observations during the study, including oil analysis results, have shown:
- Cleaner engine oil
- Positive impact on engine wear
- Decreased maintenance due to increased lubricity
- No cold weather issues – even with temperatures in the teens and single digits.
Caterpillar is also following the results of the study and conducting further analysis on the effects of biodiesel. Decker Truck Line and Iowa Central Community College have developed a web site to show results.
Iowa Central collects and analyzes the data that is downloaded from the Qualcomm system in each truck. Data includes miles per gallon, total miles, idle time, max speed, average speed, and more.
Decker Truck Line attributed the absence of cold-weather performance problems to the work that it has done with NBB in finding high-quality fuel that is properly handled and treated to help biodiesel perform in cold weather. Decker had experienced issues with fuel filter clogging that were due to self-blending of the fuel as opposed to using professionally-blended fuel.
Until the two million miles are complete, conclusions about mileage and efficiency are not available. Tests so far are within the margin of error and are influenced by driving styles.
Like many energy reduction techniques, you pay for it up front and
gethope for the financial payoff later.Of course, the costs of an engine problem while on the road are high for a delivery company -- nobody wants a reputation of late deliveries.
Posted by: stomv | 22 March 2007 at 01:35 PM
They should check with the Manatee County School District (Florida) is they need any info on B20. Our school busses have logged over 4 million miles running B20 and are actively trying to increase biodiesel % as manufacturer warranties allow. Additionally we also placed into service 2 hybrid school busses, named in a student contest Limpio and Wouk. Limpio means clean in Spanish and Wouk pioneered hybrid technology. Our vehicle maintenance department has noticed all of the above mentioned benefits as well as reduced fumes near our children. Vehicle Maintenace won an award as one of the 10 best school bus maintenace facilities in the nation in 2004.
Posted by: Coke Machine | 23 March 2007 at 05:30 AM
If you run a Diesel, the first time you put Biodiesel in the tank, you will notice the engines runs quieter.
Posted by: Paul | 26 March 2007 at 09:08 AM
This is great. If the maintenance costs offset the high fuel price, you go a long way to convince business people. The test will assure them with proof that there is no extra risk in using B20. The fleet will be just, if not more reliable and lots cleaner. As for diesel fumes, the other day I was in a parking lot where a trash truck was picking up. The diesel fumes were so bad that I had to wait until they cleared to keep from breathing them. If we can clean the air for children, this would another big plus.
Posted by: sjc | 28 March 2007 at 08:42 AM
Are there any other major trucking lines that make use of alternative fuels?
(Please e-mail me at [email protected])
I'm writing a report for school, and would like to have as much information as possible for my paperwork. :o)
Thank you!
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