Can Biodiesel be used as a fuel lubricity additive?
Testing has confirmed that biodiesel can provide sufficient levels of fuel lubricity, even at blend levels below 1%, in current on-road diesel fuel. Testing is underway to determine specific blend levels that would be required in ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel (15 ppm). Replenishing the loss lubricity that will be apparent in future diesel fuel can be accomplished with conventional lubricity additives either on the market today or in the process of being formulated. Economically, these products are the same or less expensive than biodiesel. Petroleum based additives, however, do not have the same conservation, energy security, environmental, and economic benefits. All of these factors need to be weighed fully.
