Texas environmental officials have delayed a proposed ban of biodiesel fuel in the state to allow further studying of the emissions of biodiesel blends.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality says that blending 20 percent (B20) or more of biodiesel with diesel fuel could increase the amount of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions above levels permitted by the state, as per a law passed in 2005.
The amount of additional NOx, which produces ozone and contributes to smog, produced by blending biodiesel is being debated as a 2002 study by the EPA says NOx can be increased by more than 2 percent in B20, and more than 13 percent with 100 percent biodiesel. A study by the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) in 2003, however, says the increase in NOx emissions for B20 is just one-half of one percent.
Texas was supposed to decide on whether or not to ban biodiesel in December, but on the 23rd of the month voted to study the issue for another year. Biodiesel is generally thought to be more environmentally friendly because it produces nearly 50 percent less carbon monoxide and particulate matter than standard diesel.
If biodiesel were to be banned in the state it would be devastating blow to the biodiesel industry. Texas is the second largest consumer of biodiesel in the country behind Iowa, and has many biodiesel plants in use or under construction.
Biodiesel producers could neutralize the increase of NOx emissions by adding either of two chemical additives, DTBP or EHN, according to NREL. This would add approximately 5 cents per gallon to the cost of biodiesel, which biodiesel producers say would price them out of the market. Another option for "neutralizing" the NOx emissions would be to blend biodiesel with diesel created from coal through the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process.
The skeptic might say that Texas regulators passed a law that exploits the one negative aspect of biodiesel to protect the oil industry in that state. Or, you could believe that they are truly trying to increase the air quality, and want biodiesel producers to find a way to improve the manufacturing process so there is no tradeoff. In any case, biodiesel producers in Texas are left hanging for another year until a final decision is made on whether or not to execute a ban.
wired.com
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality says that blending 20 percent (B20) or more of biodiesel with diesel fuel could increase the amount of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions above levels permitted by the state, as per a law passed in 2005.
The amount of additional NOx, which produces ozone and contributes to smog, produced by blending biodiesel is being debated as a 2002 study by the EPA says NOx can be increased by more than 2 percent in B20, and more than 13 percent with 100 percent biodiesel. A study by the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) in 2003, however, says the increase in NOx emissions for B20 is just one-half of one percent.
Texas was supposed to decide on whether or not to ban biodiesel in December, but on the 23rd of the month voted to study the issue for another year. Biodiesel is generally thought to be more environmentally friendly because it produces nearly 50 percent less carbon monoxide and particulate matter than standard diesel.
If biodiesel were to be banned in the state it would be devastating blow to the biodiesel industry. Texas is the second largest consumer of biodiesel in the country behind Iowa, and has many biodiesel plants in use or under construction.
Biodiesel producers could neutralize the increase of NOx emissions by adding either of two chemical additives, DTBP or EHN, according to NREL. This would add approximately 5 cents per gallon to the cost of biodiesel, which biodiesel producers say would price them out of the market. Another option for "neutralizing" the NOx emissions would be to blend biodiesel with diesel created from coal through the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process.
The skeptic might say that Texas regulators passed a law that exploits the one negative aspect of biodiesel to protect the oil industry in that state. Or, you could believe that they are truly trying to increase the air quality, and want biodiesel producers to find a way to improve the manufacturing process so there is no tradeoff. In any case, biodiesel producers in Texas are left hanging for another year until a final decision is made on whether or not to execute a ban.
wired.com
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