Environmental Transformation and a Sustainable Future is Possible with Biodiesel

The impacts of climate change are increasingly evident in our daily lives each year. We regularly encounter information on drought predictions and reservoir water levels in the news. The primary factor contributing to these conditions is the emission of greenhouse gases.

These emissions result from the consumption of fossil fuels, leading to the release of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere. These gases contribute to the greenhouse effect, trapping solar heat and causing global warming and climate change.

BIODIESEL

In the pursuit of combating this issue, a significant goal is to reduce, if not entirely halt, the consumption of fossil fuels. Biofuels play a crucial role in achieving this objective by deriving them from various chemical reactions involving organic waste, known as biomass. Unlike fossil fuels, biofuels significantly reduce carbon-based greenhouse gas emissions.

The policy of reducing fossil fuel consumption is gaining popularity in the maritime industry just as in various sectors. To implement this, regulations are being issued, and Cat Marine engines are being developed to accommodate the use of biodiesel to meet customer demands. The table below provides a summary of the process, indicating that:

-Cat C9.3 – C18 – C32 – 3500 series products can use up to 20% biodiesel if equipped with an aftertreatment module; otherwise, they can use up to 100% biodiesel.
-C4.4E and C7.1 models can use up to 20% biodiesel.
-C4.4 mechanical, C2.2, and C1.5 models can use up to 7% biodiesel.

Source: CATERPILLAR – Capability Hub

B20 - refers to a blend of 20% biodiesel + 80% diesel.

B7 – refers to a blend of 7% biodiesel + 93% diesel.

HVO

Source: CATERPILLAR – Capability Hub

In addition to biodiesel, HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oils) fuel is being developed to mitigate the impact of fossil fuels. Similar to biodiesel, HVO is produced from biomass, but the chemical reaction used in its production differs. Cat Marine engines exhibit 100% compatibility with HVO fuel without requiring any additional modifications.

Source: https://www.cat.com/en_AU/by-industry/electric-power/electric-power-industries/renewable-liquid-fuels.html

There are advantages and disadvantages of biofuels.

Advantages:

✓ Significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions

✓ Produced from renewable sources with a low carbon footprint

✓ Utilization of biodiesel and HVO does not require a fuel system conversion in Cat Marine engines

✓ Storage conditions are similar to standard diesel requirements

Disadvantages:

✓ Lower specific energy, leading to potential power loss in engines

✓ Contains a certain amount of metal particles due to production methods

✓ High oxidation characteristics

✓ May not perform as effectively as diesel in cold weather

✓ Currently, biofuels face disadvantages in terms of price, availability, and technology compared to diesel

Despite their disadvantages, biofuels are predicted to become a strong, reliable, and sustainable energy source in the future, thanks to their rapid development and high potential.

Barış Göçen

Barış has been working for Borusan Cat for 9 years. He worked as a Marine Product Engineer and Marine Application Engineer. Now he is Marine Application Leader. He loves history, science, and computer games, especially strategy games. The biggest motivation for him is learning new things.