A Green Paper on the Hidden Dangers of Storing, Transporting and Using Bio-Fuel
November 2010 Eil/wp/BiofueldangersW-11.2010/01
HIDDEN DANGERS OF BIO-FUEL
SUMMARY The natural desire to find sustainable alternatives to petroleum based fuels has resulted in a growing acceptance of Bio-Fuel. However, the speed of itʼs adoption looks to have outstripped industries ability to contain it safely. Although Bio-Fuel containment is claimed by various spill companies, there is no mention made of anything that takes into account the special separational properties of the material. There is very clear evidence that the very composition of Bio-Fuel disables the capabilities of industry standard fuelwater separation devices.
Microbial contamination can lead to the failure of valves resulting in major spills and pollution incidents. Following a sharp rise in reports of the microbiological contamination of biofuels, a leading fuel biocide producer is urging boat operators and other large-scale users of biodiesel to be aware of this serious and expensive problem that can arise. The introduction of biodiesel into standard road diesel has resulted in a surge of incidents involving microbial contamination, which can cause the accumulation of harmful sludge in fuel filters, valves and physical damage to tanks, pipework, hoses and other components resulting in a substantial increase on the probability of environmental contamination through leaks and spills. One Managing Director of a leading bio-fuel manufactures is quoted to say “it is easier than most people think for biodiesel to become contaminated”, “Many large scale users of biodiesel are underestimating the amount of damage that can be done.” “It is not just the physical damage to tanks and pipework but the financial implications of underground fuel tanks becoming contaminated. You only need the watercourse to leak or someone to lift the lid on the tank when itʼs
raining for water to get in. Itʼs as simple as that and if it gets left untreated you get contamination and bacteria.” with the resultant risk of a major environmental incident that if not mitigated will become an environmental disaster. Biodiesel can provide the perfect environment for bacterial bugs to thrive as it has the potential to increase the amount of water held in suspension within the fuel, which in turn creates a rich food source for bacteria to grow and the constant need to clean blocked filters. According to a leading industry spokesman, the solution is to keep tanks and pipes clean and free of water, as well as provide regular treatment with a reliable biocide to eliminate bacterial growth. However, as we all know will this happen and can you guarantee that the dosing has been effective, hence we recommend secondary bunds are constructed within the drainage system to contain any spill, where the drains are closed off using an rapid action antipollution valve such as the Flapstopper from Environmental Innovations.
Marine Industry Concerned about Ethanol The US Environmental Protection Agency recently voted to allow "5 percent" increase in the amount of ethanol added to unleaded gasoline - from 10 percent to 15 percent. “Ethanol is basically a solvent” says the owner of a Florida Marine service business “it dissolves seals, gaskets and hoses. One of the more costly problems arose early on boats with fiberglass fuel tanks. Ethanol ate them for lunch.” Even in best-case scenarios where newer types of gasket materials have been made to withstand the chemical assault of ethanol, it still eats away at hoses and scours gunk from tank walls. This ends up clogging fuel lines, carburetors and fuel injectors. But in addition to the caustic effects of ethanol, he said the other problem is its propensity to attract moisture from tank walls, which are generally vented from the outside. When a boat comes in with engine trouble, fuel is one of the first things he looks at. He says he can tell within minutes if a sample of fuel contains ethanol or not. "You'll see it go cloudy [in a glass container] right away [from attracting moisture from the air]. Then it clears up. But the cloudy mass turns to water and falls to the bottom of the jar," he said. The same thing happens in a gas tank. Fuel pickups are at the bottom of the tanks, so it's water the fuel pumps pick up first. Engines don't run on water.
So with all the well-documented destruction by ethanol of most things mechanical, it's no surprise that the marine industry is concerned about a more potent blend. An in-depth report on this can be found on the following link http://jacksonville.com/sports/outdoors/2010-11-07/story/jim-sutton-ethanolboost-causing-concern
Water Contamination Linked to Ethanol Production The production of Ethanol in the US is coming under scrutiny from many environmental groups who are concerned about the incidents of water pollution. Each year the nitrogen used in corn fertilization makes it始s way into the Mississippi River and out into the Gulf, where it feeds giant algae. The oxygen consumed as the algae die is suffocating marine life. Since the 1980驶s this process has caused a 驶dead zone始 which is feared will expand this year to cover an area of 8,500 square miles along the coast from Alabama to Texas. Government subsidies are driving more and more farmers towards corn production. Ethanol consumes two-thirds of all federal subsidies for renewable fuels, said Ken Cook, president of the Environmental Working Group, an advocacy group, leaving solar, wind and the rest to fight over the remaining third. Corn ethanol cost taxpayers $17 billion from 2005 to 2009, his group estimates. An in-depth report of this can be found on the following link h t t p : / / w w w. s f g a t e . c o m / c g i - b i n / a r t i c l e . c g i ? f = / c / a / 2 0 1 0 / 0 7 / 0 5 / MNF91E84SL.DTL
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approximately 40% of lakes, rivers and streams are not safe to fish in or swim in due to water pollution. The United States research Council has estimated that to do an initial clean-up of all the contaminated groundwater in over 300,000 sites across the United States it would cost $1 trillion dollars over the course of thirty years. That would average out to around 33 cents per person per day.
Hydrated and Anhydrous Ethanol The development and use of alcohol fuels has been driven by the desire to find renewable substitutes for imported petroleum based fuels. Ethanol is made from sugar beet, sugar cane, wheat, molasses and wood and can be produced in two forms; hydrated and anhydrous. Hydrated ethanol has a purity of 95% making it suitable for blending with an ignition improver, or as a 15% emulsion in diesel. A second stage refining process is needed to produce anhydrous ethanol (100% purity) for use in ethanol blends in petrol. The addition of an unpleasant or a poisonous substance to prevent oral consumption denatures most industrial ethanol. Ethanol is an alcohol, an oxygenated organic carbon compound. It is the intoxicating component of alcoholic beverages, is used as a solvent (methylated spirit), and is widely used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. In contrast, diesel is a mixture of a range of hydrocarbon compounds, none of which contain oxygen. In blended fuels the addition to diesel changes the combustion properties, energy content and vaporisation potential. The energy content of ethanol is between 21 to23MJ/l. This compares with 38.6MJ/l for diesel. The ability of ethanol to contribute to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions on a full fuel-cycle basis is dependent upon the nature of the feedstock and the source of power used for the production process. Tests to measure particulate matter ranged from 2mg/km up to 431 mg/km dependent on the feedstock; these compare with 43mg/km emission for low sulphur diesel. On non-methanic hydrocarbon, emissions varied between 0.026g/km and 8.66 g/km compared with 0.292g/km for low sulphur diesel. Alcohol does not contain sulphur atoms and therefore an increase in alcohol content will reduce the emissions of sulphur dioxide. Oxides of nitrogen emissions from ethanol are lower than from diesel, even without a catalytic converter. As a renewable fuel it produces less fossil CO2 than conventional fuels. (Source www.greenteam-supermarket.com)
FACTS ABOUT BIODIESEL Biodiesel can be used either as a blend with mineral diesel (5% biodiesel is common in France and has been introduced in the UK) or as a straight fuel. Vehicle manufacturersʼ warranties cover use with 5% biodiesel blends. 100% biodiesel must meet the EU quality standard EN 14214. No engine modifications are required and biodiesel can improve engine lubricity when blended with ultra low sulphur diesel (ULSD). Bioethanol can be used as a 5% blend with petrol under the EU quality standard EN 228. This blend requires no engine modification and is covered by vehicle warranties. With engine modification, bioethanol can be used at higher levels, for example, E85 (85% bioethanol) is common in the USA. Bioethanol can also be converted to ETBE (etherised bioethanol) as a petrol extender, which is common practice in France and Spain. The annual market value for ethanol in the U.S. has risen to $27.1 billion since federal support began under President Jimmy Carter during the 1970s energy crisis. Itʼs legal to produce your own Biodiesel and you can use 2500 litres a year before paying any tax - equipment for home producing is about £2500. Biodiesel is added to all petrodiesel in France as a lubricity replacement in ultra low sulphur diesel. The three main French oil companies add 5%; Shell International adds just 2%. They donʼt even bother to tell you at the pumps. Germany produces over 800,000 tonnes of biodiesel a year; France, 120,000 tonnes and Italy, 125,000 tonnes. In 2002, total EU production was estimated at 1.1m tonnes. In the USA, production is based on soy oil. Following EPA approval, production is set to quadruple within the next two years. Biodiesel is used to clean up marine oil spills Full Report at http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/research_report_434.pdf Biodiesel is considerably less flammable than petroleum diesel, which burns at 50°C (120°F). Pure biodiesel (B-100) does not ignite until 150°C (300°F). The flashpoint (the temperature at which it will ignite when exposed to a
spark or flame) of a biodiesel blend falls somewhere between these temperatures, depending on the mixture.
ARTICLES ON ETHANOL / BIO-DIESEL POLLUTION INCIDENTS Industry Acts on Biodiesel Contamination - Birmingham Airport incident May 2008 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency imposed $2million in fines in 2009 on 22 of the states Ethanol plants. They have now launched a programme to help Ethanol plants comply with the rules ...
Ethanol chemical spill in Cambodia blamed for death of 54 tonnes of fish ... Thousands of gallons of Ethanol spilled in Boone County USA ... March 15th 2010 - 8,000 gallon Ethanol spill contained ʻusing a long pipe with fiber netʼ ...
ARTICLE FROM 2006 BY PROFESSOR SIR PETER CRANE DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS KEW ON THE DANGERS OF MANUFACTURING BIOFUELS CLICK HERE
FURTHER ESSENTIAL READING A framework for evaluating the environmental impact of biofuel use http://www.eea.europa.eu/about-us/tenders/EEAEAS03004/annex_A.pdf
ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY DIRECTIVE 2004/35/EC : The Directive establishes a strong framework for environmental liability based on the "polluter pays" principle, with a view to preventing and remedying damage to animals, plants, natural habitats and water resources, and damage affecting the land. Where the polluter is at fault or negligent powers exist to ensure that the costs as well as any fines are allocated, in extreme cases prison sentences can be enforced. Download full Directive www.europa.eu
The Full DEFRA Guidance on the New Environmental Civil Sanctions : The EA intends to start to use these new powers on 4th January 2011. “http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/policy/enforcement/pdf/defra-wagguidance.pdf”
PPG7 : Refuelling Facilities : Advice on how to protect the environment through the safe delivery, storage and dispensing of fuels. h t t p : / / p u b l i c a t i o n s . e n v i r o n m e n t - a g e n c y. g o v. u k / e p a g e s / eapublications.storefront
PPG18 Managing Fire Water and Major Spillages These guidance notes have been drawn up to assist in the identification of the equipment and techniques available to prevent and mitigate damage to the water environment caused by fires and major spillages. Download full Guidance at “http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/pdf/PMHO600BBUD-e-e.pdf”
PPG21 : Pollution - Incident Response : Good practice guidance to produce incident response plans for dealing with
accidents, spillages and fires, to help protect the environment. h t t p : / / p u b l i c a t i o n s . e n v i r o n m e n t - a g e n c y. g o v. u k / e p a g e s / eapublications.storefront
PPG22 : Incident Response – Dealing with Spills : Advice on how to deal with spillages to avoid pollution. h t t p : / / p u b l i c a t i o n s . e n v i r o n m e n t - a g e n c y. g o v. u k / e p a g e s / eapublications.storefront
PPG26 : Safe Storage Drums and Intermediate Bulk Containers : The regulations apply to: tanks (can be permanent or temporary); drums greater than 200 litres capacity; intermediate bulk containers (IBCs); mobile bowsers. All above PPGs are available for download at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/pollution/39083.aspx
PPG28 Controlled Burn This guidance will help you decide when and how to use a controlled burn as part of a fire fighting strategy to prevent or reduce damage to the environment. You should consider this guidance on a site by site basis when developing an incident response plan for your site. Download full Guidance at “http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/pdf/PMHO1005BJIT-e-e.pdf”
Fire Service Manual This Fire and Rescue Manual is the first manual within the Fire Service Operations series dedicated to the protection of the environment. This publication provides information and guidance designed to support firefighters, Fire Brigade Service managers, and trainers in their work at operational incidents, training events, and during day-to-day activities. Download full manual here “http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/fire/environmentprotectvol2”
IS YOUR SITE RIGHT? Use this Environment Agency 10-point checklist to help you make sure
Storing and handling oils, chemicals and other risky materials 1. Are storage containers fit for purpose, regularly inspected and maintained? 2. Are storage areas and containers sited away from watercourses, drains and unsurfaced areas? 3. Do storage containers have secondary containment, such as a bund, to contain any leaks or spills? 4. Do you have procedures and training for safe delivery and handling of materials? Waste management 5. Is your storage and handling of waste safe and does it comply with the law? 6. Do you know where your waste goes? Are you sure it’s disposed of correctly? 7. Are you reducing and recycling your waste? Do it and save money. Site Drainage 8. Do you have an up to date drainage plan of your site? 9. Is your site drained correctly? • only clean water, such as roof drainage, to surface water drains. • all contaminated water, such as sewage and trade effluent, to foul drain. Dealing with pollution emergencies 10. Do you have a plan, equipment and training to deal with pollution emergencies?
If you answered ‘no’ to any question, or are unsure, use the Environment Agency’s “Pollution Prevention Pays – getting your site right” guidance available from their website or call us for advice 0800 731 9313
If you have any questions about how to make your business safer for your staff and the environment please call 0800 731 9313 “www.environmental-innovations.biz” WARNING: Produced by Environmental Innovations Copyright 2010, Information contained in this Green paper is given in good faith and may represent the views and opinions of others, where information is sourced from third parties, copyright remains vested with those parties, reference are given to sources wherever possible from which readers are invited to seek confirmation of material facts, where we have expressed an opinion this should be treated as such rather than hard facts, therefore Environmental Innovations Limited or its staff can accept no responsibility for any losses consequential or otherwise for any errors, omissions, opinions stated or any other material contained within this document or from any of the embedded linked documents within.