DISTILLATE USAGE PATTERNS IN MINNESOTA: DEVELOPMENT OF DATA AND TOOLS TO ANALYZE POLICIES AFFECTING BIODIESEL USAGE

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel derived from vegetable oils or animal fats that can substitute for diesel fuel in engines or fuel oil in furnaces. Biodiesel is produced by the process of transesterification, a simple chemical process that breaks individual triglyceride molecules into three molecules of methyl esters consisting of long chain fatty acids, similar to diesel derived from petroleum. Biodiesel has proven lubricity benefits at low blends, which will be important when sulfur levels are reduced in the U.S. supply of diesel in 2006. In addition, blends of biodiesel and its usage in a pure form reduce particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as well as other toxic gases and Greenhouse Gases. Reduced emissions from biodiesel blends result from its zero sulfur content and higher oxygen content versus petro-diesel. Federal standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may force local authorities to implement a variety of policies to reduce VOCs, one of the precursors of ground level ozone formation, and other toxic emissions. There is also substantial concern among public health professionals concerning the formation of PM from diesel engines, especially when originating from school buses, transit buses, and diesel-powered electrical generators.

• Record URL:
  http://www.lrrb.org/pdf/200508.pdf
• Record URL:
  http://www.dot.state.mn.us/research/TS/2005/200508.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Minnesota, St Paul

  Department of Applied Economics, 1994 Buford Avenue
  St Paul, MN  United States  55108-6040

  Minnesota Department of Transportation

  Transportation Building, 395 John Ireland Boulevard
  St Paul, MN  United States  55155
• Authors:
  • Tiffany, D G
• Publication Date: 2005-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 46 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Biodiesel fuels; Environmental policy; Exhaust gases; Greenhouse gases; Oxygen content; Ozone; Particulates; Public health; School buses; Sulfur; Transit buses
• Uncontrolled Terms: Volatile organic compounds
• Geographic Terms: Minnesota
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Policy; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00989303
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: MN/RC-2005-08,, Final Report
• Contract Numbers: 81655 (WO 55)
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Apr 26 2005 12:00AM