Biodiesel can be operated in any diesel engine with little or no modification to the engine or the fuel system. Biodiesel has a solvent effect which may release deposits accumulated on tank walls and pipes from previous diesel fuel storage. The release of deposits may clog filters initially and precautions should be taken. Ensure that only fuel meeting the biodiesel specification is used.

Scientific research confirms that biodiesel exhaust has a less harmful impact on human health than petroleum diesel fuel. Biodiesel emissions have decreased levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitrited PAH compounds which have been identified as potential cancer causing compounds. In recent testing, PAH compounds were reduced by 75 to 85 percent, with the exception of benzo(a)anthracene, which was reduced by roughly 50 percent.

Targeted nPAH compounds were also reduced dramatically with biodiesel fuel, with 2- nitrofluorene and 1-nitropyrene reduced by 90 percent, and the rest of the nPAH compounds reduced to only trace levels. Tests sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture confirm that biodiesel is less toxic than petroleum diesel and biodegrades as fast as dextrose (a test sugar). In addition, biodiesel has a flash point of over 125C which makes it safer to store and handle than petroleum diesel fuel.

Testing in Canada and elsewhere has confirmed that biodiesel can provide sufficient levels of fuel lubricity, even at blend levels below 1%, in current on-road diesel fuel.

Depending on the application, climate and season the blend of biodiesel can be from 2% up to 100%. It is common practice to operate fleets on a B20 blend in the summer and B5 in the winter, however in areas such as the lower mainland, B20 blends can be used all year round. In environmentally sensitive areas (marine, alpine) and in mines where the maximum environmental benefit is required, higher level blends (>B40) should be considered.

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) approved a full standard for biodiesel, with the designation of D-6751. It is critical that ASTM certified biodiesel be used in your fleet to ensure a consistent level of proven quality. In addition, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has developed a rigorous quality management program for producers and marketers called BQ-9000 which ensures the quality of biodiesel from the production facility all the way to your tank.

Blending is typically done by suppliers who blend biodiesel with petroleum before delivery. Biodiesel can also be delivered directly to an end-user and they can mix it themselves. Biodiesel blends easily with petroleum, stays mixed and in most instance can be delivered with no changes to existing infrastructure.

Biodiesel is registered as a fuel and fuel additive with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the USA. Biodiesel is recognized by US Federal, State and Industry as a valid alternative fuel. The Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) has established a standard (CAN/CGSB-3.520) for B1-B5 blends using ASTM D-6751 certified biodiesel blended with petroleum diesel (ASTM D-975) and a similar specification for blends B6-B20 is being developed.

Biodiesel is safer for people to breathe. Research conducted in the United States showed biodiesel emissions have significantly decreased levels of all target polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitrited PAH compounds, as compared to petroleum diesel exhaust. PAH and nPAH compounds have been identified as potential cancer causing compounds. Results of the subchronic inhalation testing showed no toxic results from biodiesel exhaust emissions even at the highest concentrations physically possible to achieve.

These results conclusively demonstrate biodiesel's health and environmental benefits as a nontoxic, renewable fuel. The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine also results in substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter compared to emissions from diesel fuel. In addition, the exhaust emissions of sulphur oxides and sulphates (major components of acid rain) from biodiesel are essentially eliminated compared to diesel. Of the major exhaust pollutants, both unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides are ozone or smog forming precursors. The use of biodiesel results in a substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons. Emissions of nitrogen oxides are either slightly reduced or slightly increased depending on the duty cycle of the engine and testing methods used. Based on engine testing, using the most stringent emissions testing protocols required by EPA for certification of fuels or fuel additives in the US, the overall ozone forming potential of the speciated hydrocarbon emissions from biodiesel was nearly 50 percent less than that measured for diesel fuel.

The reduction of our dependence of a 100% imported fuel and the introduction of a renewable technology benefits the entire country. The range of benefits include:

• Growth in rural economies.
• Reduced dependence on imported fuel.
• Increased employment by adding value to agricultural commodities.
• Massive reduction in greenhouse emissions.
• Reduction of sulphur dioxide, one of the main causes of acid rain.
• Reduction of other cancer causing emissions such as benzene.