No more fake news about biodiesel

In recent weeks, outdated information, out of context and without technical proof, has been persistently disseminated via blogs and social networks, creating an extensive network of 'fake news' around the quality of biodiesel, relating it mainly to problems caused by diesel engines and equipment.

In one of the positions, published this week on an automotive blog, the author makes the statement, without technical basis, that, “when biodiesel is mixed with diesel in percentages greater than 10%, it is technically proven that the result is problematic. ” Biodiesel producer associations have participated in numerous testing initiatives to date, whether with the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), the National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANP) and with companies producing vehicles and components, fleets private and municipal captives. This conclusion was never reached!

Another point that caused astonishment among the statements was that the product could cause generators to break down in hospitals. Without maintenance, it's not just the generator that can break down. Also the refrigerator, the elevators, the air conditioning, the washing machines.... and what does this have to do with biodiesel? The maintenance plan that any company must have (including hospitals) must contain checkpoints that include checking the condition of the fuel, the frequency of draining the tanks, the condition of the filters, the status of the starter motor, among others. It is also known that there are additives that significantly extend the life of the fuel, but it will not be infinite; The periodic evaluation of all equipment cannot be dispensed with, which will continue to be mandatory. May need to replace the fuel? Yes, it can, just like brake fluid, lubricating oil, battery fluid, etc.

The statement that biodiesel is hygroscopic is also something that has been taken out of context and used as a fact only about biofuel. It is important to highlight that this is a truth that is valid both for diesel B (a mixture of mineral diesel with biodiesel) and for pure mineral diesel, without biodiesel, as is the case with marine diesel. It is an intrinsic characteristic of any diesel cycle fuel. In fact, free water causes problems for the equipment, whatever it may be: vehicle, tractor or machine, and that is why the frequency of draining provided for in the maintenance plan is recommended, whether in the hospital, on the farm, or in the condominium. residential.

The breakdown of equipment has also been attributed to biodiesel, a fuel that has similar physical-chemical characteristics to mineral diesel and should not cause problems in any equipment, even pure. However, despite the open position of biodiesel producer associations requesting participation to evaluate the field problems that had already been pointed out to us, this opportunity was never given. Therefore, biodiesel producers are convinced, based on countless tests and trials, as well as years of use, that “B diesel within the specification does not cause problems” is a true statement, valid for both diesel components. They also reaffirm their position that it is time to increase rigor in the assessment of storage and distribution conditions in order to prevent problems related to bad practices. The consumer has the right to receive a product that is properly handled and preserves its characteristics verified during production!

Still on the blog post in question, in fact Anfavea did not recommend B15 at the time due to doubts in 3 tests out of a total of 44 coordinated by the MME. The association of vehicle manufacturers considered it important to increase the oxidation stability margin, as this characteristic seemed to be behind the problems that occurred. The suggestion generated an exercise to check this condition, conducted by the National Institute of Technology (INT). As a result, the ANP established, through Resolution No. 798/2019, to increase the oxidation stability of pure biodiesel by 50% (from 8 to 12 hours), in addition to compulsorily requiring biodiesel producers to add stabilizing additives to their product. . Thus, the progression of biodiesel could be initiated.

Regarding questions about the use of green diesel (HVO) instead of biodiesel, it is important to highlight that it is, indeed, an excellent product, and renewable too. It turns out that, in addition to being much more expensive than biodiesel, it is not yet available in Brazil. In the medium term, it tends to be an excellent alternative to gradually replace the fossil fuel fraction and contribute to historic efforts to decarbonize the national fuel matrix.

We need to be careful because the movement against the expansion of biodiesel aims to negatively influence the necessary and important internal debate in the Federal Government to decide the new schedule for the gradual increase in this mixture.

Defining the content of the mixture is essential to be able to increase biodiesel production and, therefore, reduce pollutant emissions, minimize expenses with million-dollar imports of diesel, generate opportunities for socioeconomic promotion for thousands of family farmers, allocate surpluses of soybean oil and also residual oils and animal fats, and add value to the soybean and animal protein chains, with a positive influence on the prices of these products for consumers.

In other words, biodiesel must be seen by the government and society as a product that is much more than a biofuel. He is a central agent of public policies that, if well conducted, can provide many advantages to Brazilians and the country.

By Vicente Pimenta, mechanical engineer, master in agroenergy, consultant at Abiove and coordinator of the Bio+ Biodiesel Program