Since learning about and swapping to Renewable Diesel about a year ago, I'm fully sold. I'd been running blends of biodiesel since we got Aeolus in 2006, and liked the added lubricity and smell. But biodiesel does not do well in boats that sit, as it is highly hygroscopic (water absorbing from the atmosphere) and doesn't much like cold weather, and has slightly less power than dino diesel. Along came Renewable Diesel and it's a dream.
Able to be made from about any carbon source, like food scrap, wood or whatever, like biodiesel the carbon and environmental benefits depend in good part on the feed stock being used. There are no current suppliers of Renewable Diesel in WA state, to my chagrin. But down in Oregon they are using it and Carson Fuels has had it at their cardlock location. For reasons that are not clear, they do not have it at their cardlock location anymore. But they have it in stock.
So I went down with a truck and picked up a 55 gallon drum of it and can siphon that into my numerous 5 gallon fuel containers for transfer to the boat. The hassle of going to Portland and all the schlepping is worth it since the fuel is that much better.
Renewable diesel is not hygroscopic, so it stores for a long time without absorbing water or going bad. Perfect for a sailboat. It is clear and pure, having none of the impurities of normal vehicle diesel. It does not smell. And it has a higher energy content, higher cetane, than dino diesel or biodiesel. It's just a win, win. It's a bit more expensive than dino diesel, but in the small quantities the boat uses, that's not a problem. Can't wait for it be sold in WA, perhaps even at the fuel docks for boats someday. Get on it WA Legislature.
 |
| Renewable diesel on the left burns far cleaner than dino diesel |
No comments:
Post a Comment