All blends of renewable diesel were blended with seasonal diesel and ultra low sulphur kerosene (ULSK)—also known as CAN/CGSB-3.517 Type A fuel (which is similar to Number 1 diesel in the US)—to produce fuels the cloud points of which would meet the requirements of the CAN/CGSB 3.520 fuel standard.

The diesels were adjusted to a cloud point 3 °C colder to accommodate B2 with canola during the coldest periods, and 1 °C colder to accommodate 2% HDRD. From December, 2007 to March, 2008, this required ULSK addition of 21-43% of the blend for B2 FAME and 8-15% of the blend for 2% HDRD.

Milligan BioTech Inc. was the supplier for canola methyl ester, BIOX Corporation the supplier of tallow methyl ester, and Neste Oil the supplier of hydrogenation derived renewable diesel (NeXBTL).

Over the span of the demonstration, the ARDD dispensed more than 1.6 million liters (422,675 gallons US) of blended fuel. During the winter period the ARDD dispensed 245,000 liters of B2 (2% FAME) and 400,000 liters of 2% HDRD. In spring/summer the ARDD dispensed 540,000 liters of B5 (mixed feedstock FAME) and 425,000 litres of 5% HDRD. No stalls or loss of business were experienced across the fleet while running on blended fuel.

The ARDD was Canada’s first demonstration to work with major petroleum producers and distributors to provide pilot-level experience of renewable diesel blending at full commercial scale, using in-line blending at a primary diesel terminal, or ‘rack’. This commercial-grade, injection blending system is typical of what would be anticipated once the federal Renewable Fuel Standard is implemented.

The ARDD was also Canada’s first demonstration to include ultra low sulfur kerosene for the adjustment of cloud points. The blended fuels met Canadian General Standards Board specifications for quality and cold weather performance, including cloud points for the areas of Edmonton, Lloydminster and Calgary where the fuels were dispensed.

Due to the lower density (and therefore energy content) of winter diesel, fuel efficiency in winter was slightly lower than that of summer. However, ARDD data showed no difference in fuel efficiency between test fuels or between control fuel and either of the test fuels. Results of an analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) show no meaningful difference between fuel efficiency of B2 FAME and winter ULSD, nor between B5 FAME and summer ULSD. Likewise, due to the variation between units from driver habits, payload weight, wind or other variables, there was no meaningful difference in ARDD fuel economy between 2% HDRD and winter ULSD nor between 5% HDRD and summer ULSD.

Managed by Climate Change Central, this multi-stakeholder demonstration was sponsored and supported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Program, Alberta Energy’s Biodiesel Commercialization and Market Program and Biodiesel Infrastructure Development Program, Shell Canada Limited, Canadian Bioenergy Corporation, Canadian Renewable Fuels Association, Canola Council of Canada, Milligan Bio-Tech, Natural Resources Canada, Neste Oil and the Canadian Petroleum Products Institute.

Trucking companies involved in the demonstration included Rosenau Transport Ltd., Hi-Way 9, First Bus Canada, Gibson Energy Ltd. and CF Managing Movement Ltd.

Resources

• Alberta Renewable Diesel Demonstration Final Report