- Home
- HVO Diesel
- Article
The problems with biodiesel
First-generation biodiesels have historically caused operational and performance issues for early adopters. But Prema HVO removes all of these problems, providing superior performance from day one.
The environmental issues associated with conventional fossil diesel require no introduction. It releases greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to global warming. It causes air pollution in our towns and cities, and also releases particulate emissions that are harmful to human health.
Biodiesel was developed to tackle some of these issues. Manufactured primarily from vegetable oils, it does an adequate job of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This is because growing the feedstock naturally absorbs carbon from the atmosphere in the process, offsetting the emissions from the tailpipe. It is also 100% renewable.
But ‘first-generation’ biodiesel (also known as FAME) has created other problems. Growing the feedstock requires large amounts of land, leading to deforestation to make room for environmentally damaging palm plantations. More land for biofuel also means less land for food, increasing food costs in some of the poorest parts of the world.
Do these problems still exist?
The sustainability of first-gen biodiesel has improved in recent years. In the UK, it must now be sourced primarily from a waste feedstock like used cooking oil to be classified as renewable. This theoretically means no deforestation.
But unfortunately, there are no guarantees. Research shows that the 7% FAME blended into conventional ‘B7’ diesel at the pump today actually contains a mixture of both used cooking oil and direct crop-based products such as palm oil.
Meanwhile, the performance issues associated with FAME mean it can never fully replace mineral diesel and can only be mixed in small proportions. B7 diesel still has a minimum 93% fossil fuel content, resulting in significant greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.
A quick HVO science lesson
First-gen biodiesel, also known as FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Esters), is manufactured by ‘esterifying’ vegetable oils or animal fats with methanol. These ‘esters’ are hygroscopic, which means they can absorb moisture. That’s bad news for a biofuel – it means it can be attacked by microbial bugs and oxygen. In other words, it can ‘go off’.
In contrast, HVO is manufactured through a complex two-stage high-temperature process known as hydrotreatment. The result is a hydrocarbon that’s very similar to regular diesel and there are no esters present, meaning no oxidation or bug risk.
Does HVO overcome these problems?
We speak to a lot of businesses who want to switch to a cleaner, greener diesel alternative to reduce their carbon footprint and demonstrate their environmental credentials to customers. But many are hesitant because of perceived concerns over operational performance.
First-generation biodiesel certainly caused a lot of reliability problems for early adopters. But our next-gen Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is a fundamentally different fuel and has proven for more than a decade that it suffers from none of biodiesel’s shortcomings.
Enter the next generation: Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). HVO is not biodiesel. It is put through a much more complex refining process, producing a superior, cleaner fuel that is 100% interchangeable with conventional diesel.
Depending on the application and feedstock, HVO can translate into up to 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions from well-to-wheel, as well as cleaner emissions from the tailpipe. We can provide a full breakdown of emissions data for Prema HVO on request.
To ensure the highest proof of sustainability, Prema HVO has full International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) – an independent, globally recognised sustainability body.
ISCC proof of sustainability means we have full traceability of each and every import, confirming where it was manufactured, the raw material origin and type, the supplier, and even a breakdown of the greenhouse gases emitted during production and transportation.
Problems Prema HVO Fuel Solves
Short shelf-life
Because of the risks of oxidation and bug build-up, FAME biodiesel degrades over time and is difficult to store long-term. In contrast, HVO is extremely stable and has a shelf-life of up to ten years, so you can store it away with confidence.
Cold weather issues
Enter the next generation: Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). HVO is not biodiesel. It is 100% used cooking oil that is put through a much more complex refining process , producing a superior, cleaner fuel that is 100% interchangeable with conventional diesel.
Depending on the application, using HVO can translate into up to 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions from well-to-tank, as well as fewer particulate emissions from the tailpipe.
Lower performance
HVO is almost unrecognisable from conventional diesel when it comes to its performance properties. In some cases, performance is even superior – our own independently tests show that Prema HVO can deliver the same energy output as conventional B7 forecourt diesel (which contains 7% FAME) with 10% less fuel.
The cetane rating (a measurement of the combustion speed of fuel in ignition) of HVO is also higher than both FAME biodiesel and mineral diesel, providing a much better starting performance.
Time-consuming to switch
Prema HVO is seamlessly interchangeable with conventional diesel and can be blended at any ratio. That means there is technically no need to drain and clean your fuel tank before switching (although we always recommend customers do so as part of good fuel management practice). Nor is there any need for special ‘filters’, ‘seals’ or other fandangled bits of kit. You can drop it straight into your tank and continue with business as usual.
Other HVO Benefits
HVO also outperforms conventional diesel in two other respects. It has a higher flash point, making it even safer in terms of handling and storage, and is both biodegradable and insoluble in water, which means lower risk of environmental damage in the event of an accidental spillage. It’s as robust and reliable as fuel gets.