A new report from Lloyd’s Register (LR) explores the current status of biofuel as a clean fuel, including any safety considerations, drivers for adoption, production and supply chain, and technology readiness.
In particular, “Fuel for thought: Biofuel report” highlights the general safety and training requirements associated with using biofuel and suggests specific considerations that need to be kept in mind while using it standalone or, more commonly, as a drop-in fuel.
The quality of biofuel bunkers is also discussed in detail. Other drivers for adopting biofuel are also covered, including regulations, lifecycle assessment, ship operator demand and interest, volume projections and techno-economic drivers.
..LR said.
According to the report, biofuel is a generic term for energy sources created from the processing of recently created organic material, in other words non- fossil sources. Biofuels can be solid, liquid or gaseous, and are derived from feedstock biomass such as plant material, algae, vegetable oils and fats from animal waste. Feedstocks are typically also sourced from industrial and municipal waste streams.
There are many types of biofuels produced through different processes using wide range feedstocks. The most established products, suitable for shipping, are:
- Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME), (defined by the specifications of EN 14214 and ASTM D 6754), often referred to by some as biodiesel, and
- Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) (defined by the paraffinic fuel specification EN 15940), a synthetic diesel very often referred also to as green or renewable diesel.
The main challenge to the adoption of biofuels is their scalability and global availability in the long term, in conjunction with the diverse nature of the feedstocks and processing methods used in their creation. Demand competition from other transport and industrial sectors is expected to increase in the coming decades, for both FAME and paraffinic products. Sustainability concerns over land and water use in the production of feedstocks must be addressed through certification schemes in order to increase buyer confidence and release more feedstock for production purposes.
Advantages of biofuels
| FAME advantages and potential | HVO advantages and potential |
| Immediate GHG emissions savings potential | Most preferred alternative to fossil diesel due to higher combustion performance, reduced emission of black carbon |
| Drop-In replacement for conventional petroleum derived marine liquid fuels. making it available for use for most of the global fleet, without large capital investment | Indistinguishable to distillate marine fuels – hence easily blended and handled |
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Easily applied to ships marine combustion machinery due to:
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Energy density for HVO is on par with petroleum fuel |
| Safety aspects for transport and handling are broadly similar to that of the petroleum derived fuels in use. | Immediate GHG emissions savings potential |
| Lower SOx, PM, and lifecycle CO2 emissions | Drop-In replacement for conventional petroleum derived marine liquid fuels |
| Biodegradable, reducing environmental contamination risk | Extended storage stability characteristics make HVO attractive for ships requiring longer term storage propertie |
| Extensive positive experience using functionally similar fuels and engines |
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General Safety and Toxicity issues
- FAME
FAME is not acutely toxic , is biodegradable, and is classified as not hazardous according to regulation (EC) 1272/2008 and by CONCAWE Guidelines for handling and blending FAME (2009). It is combustible but considered not readily flammable. It may cause minor eye irritation, and fine mists or vapours created
by heating FAME may irritate mucous membranes, and cause dizziness and nausea. Combustion of FAME emits toxic fumes and particulates. Eye protection
must be worn when handling FAME, along with chemical resistant gloves.
- HVO
Repeated exposure to HVO may cause skin dryness or cracking. Spray/mists may cause respiratory tract irritation. Entry into the lungs following ingestion or
vomiting may cause chemical pneumonitis, which can be fatal. HVO is flammable in liquid and vapour forms and will burn readily if ignited or exposed to
sufficient heat. Risks related to fire and explosion including electrical and static ignition sources are similar to those for diesel. HVO vapour is heavier than
air and could potentially flash back in flammable concentrations. Combustion of HVO emits toxic fumes and particulates. Eye protection must be worn when handling FAME, along with chemical resistant gloves.
