Objective:
The objective of this project is to develop a joint test protocol and conduct testing to determine if existing fuel management technologies and procedures can satisfy the minimum engineering requirements for using biodiesel blends in Department of Defense (DoD) ground tactical vehicles and equipment. The project also will determine whether available technologies will sufficiently manage biodiesel stability, high/low temperature properties, and water affinity concerns. Currently, insufficient information is available about the stability of various biodiesel feedstocks and the improvement provided by commercially available additives. Technology Description: As an alternative fuel technology, the B20 biodiesel blend used in DoD administrative vehicles has a minimum performance established by the Defense Energy Support Center (DESC). DESC's specification requires that each fuel component conform to the appropriate methods (i.e., ASTM D-6751 for biodiesel and ASTM D-975 for petroleum diesel). Use in DoD non-deployed tactical vehicles will require a modified biodiesel specification to address oxidative and thermal stability, cold flow, and water/corrosion concerns. In addition to the use of additives, JP-8 and biodiesel blends will be evaluated for any resulting benefits (such as cold flow) to determine if they better achieve the engineering objectives defined in the joint test protocol. Expected Benefits: Data generated from this project will enable DoD to identify military-unique risks associated with using biodiesel and determine if commercial technologies can be utilized to address these risks. The ability to use biodiesel in selected tactical vehicles and equipment would improve fuel supply security and operational flexibility, reduce greenhouse gas and regulated air emissions, potentially reduce long-term fuel cost, and represent a first step in the development of sustainable tactical training operations. All procedures, validated technologies, and lessons learned will be summarized in a fleet users guidance and applied toward existing administrative vehicle and equipment use. These results have the potential to expand use of biodiesel within the administrative sector for applications such as stationary generators. The current fleet of administrative vehicles and equipment using biodiesel also would benefit from reduced maintenance issues, reduction of breakdowns, and fewer materials needed for repair (such as fuel filters and fuel injectors). (Anticipated Project Completion - 2008) Principal Investigator: Mr. David Cook Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center Code ESC 426.DC 1100 23rd Avenue Port Hueneme, CA 93043-4370 Telephone: (805) 982-3477 Fax: (805) 982-4832 E-mail: david.j.cook@navy.mil
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