Renewable Fuels

Caterpillar Power Plants

Building innovative power solutions

Our FOCUS
is our CUSTOMERS

As we explore the merits of renewable fuels,

our commitment is to find sustainable solutions.
We are continually developing our products and
services to offer you the best possible value and
function for your power plant.

OUR PLANTS OFFER OUTSTANDING FUEL FLEXIBILITY

TRADITIONAL
FOSSIL FUELS

RENEWABLE

(e.g. raw/straight vegetable oil

and 100% biodiesel)

NATURAL GAS

DUAL-FUEL CAPABILITIES

Caterpillar is a leading supplier

of medium speed reciprocating
engine power plants for both
interconnected (parallel to grid)
and captive power (island mode)
applications. We offer both
simple cycle and combined cycle
operation and our plants can be
configured to provide combined
heat and power (CHP). Plant
output capacities range from 2
to over 200 MWe, and we have
a full range of power generation
equipment and complete
engineering, procurement, and
construction (EPC) capabilities.

opportunities in the renewable

energy market. We have
developed several alternative
fuel solutions in response to
the increased demand for
incorporating biofuels in power
generation.

Recent strides in Caterpillar

biofuel engine technology
and the emergence of new
standards have created expanded

Renewable diesel can be made

from such diverse materials such
as vegetable oil, waste cooking
oil, animal fat, and fish oil, as
well as from cellulosic feedstock
consisting of agriculture and
forest biomass.
Caterpillar will help you evaluate
various fuel properties and quality
while we work together to design
a total solution for your business.

Understanding RENEWABLE Fuel Types

BIODIESEL
Biodiesel is produced from raw feedstock by a chemical
conversion known as transesterification reaction. This
process requires several steps to remove any traces of
water and the use of methanol to separate the glycerin
from the fat, leaving behind two byproducts: methyl
esters (well know as Biodiesel) and glycerin (a valuable
component for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic
industries).1
For renewable diesel to be called biodiesel, it must meet
very strict quality specifications. In 2003, the U.S. Congress
proposed that, for tax purposes: The term biodiesel
means the monoalkyl esters of long chain fatty acids
derived from plant or animal matter which meet (A) the
registration requirements for fuels and fuel additives
established by the Environmental Protection Agency under
section 211 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7545), and (B)
the requirements of the American Society of Testing and
Materials D6751. (ASTM D 6571). 2
Two specifications currently exist to determine purity levels
as part of the requirement by engine manufacturers and
petroleum suppliers: ASTM (D6751) for U.S. base market
and CEN (pr EN14214) for European Market. Biodiesel is
designated by the alphanumeric term B100. If the biodiesel
is used as blend or additive, it is designated BXX,
where XX represents the volume percentage of biodiesel
fuel blended with petroleum-based diesel.

Renewable Diesel Types and Feedstocks5

WASTE VEGETABLE OIL (WVO) AND

STRAIGHT VEGETABLE OIL (SVO)
Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO) and Straight Vegetable Oil
(SVO) can be used directly in a diesel reciprocating engine
if they are properly evaluated and tested.

HDRD
HDRD, or Hydrogenation-derived renewable diesel,
is produced by hydrotreating animal fat or vegetable
feedstock. HDRD is also known as green diesel or
second-generation biodiesel.3

FISCHER-TROPSCH BTL
A process called Fischer-Tropsch BTL, or Bio-to-Liquid
Technology, produces another renewable diesel.4 The main
objective is to convert the carbon monoxide and hydrogen,
called synthesis gas or syngas, into liquid hydrocarbon
fuels. Fuels obtained from this process are also called
Synthetic Fuels.

http://www.biodiesel.org/what-is-biodiesel/biodiesel-basics

Energy Policy Act of 2003, Conference Version, Section 1314

http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/emerging_green.html

http://www.biofuelstp.eu/btl.html

http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/alternative-fuels/programs/nrddi/11986

Renewable Fuels and Engine Performance

Fuel source diversity and possible
variations of blending must be
considered when evaluating potential
engine performance:
ENGINE POWER AND TORQUE

FUEL CONSUMPTION

When operating with renewable fuel, a

reduction of power and torque of 3 to 7%
can occur when compared to petroleum
diesel. The main reason for loss power is
attributed to the following fuel properties:

Engines operating on renewable fuels have shown an increase in fuel consumption, mainly due
to their lower heating value. More fuel needs to be injected to compensate for the loss of heating
value. Another factor to be considered is the high viscosity of straight or raw oil and its effect
in the fuel spray atomization. Different blends and feedstock with different heating values, or
different production processes and qualities, also have an impact on engine fuel economy.

Cetane Number is related to the

volatility of the fuel and the capacity
of self ignite. Fuels with higher ratings
are more volatile and present better
quality ignition, which directly affect the
combustion process. If the fuel ignites
too late the fuel/air combustion will be
incomplete.

For fuels that meet ASTM or CEN standards, in principle, the increase in fuel consumption is
proportional to the loss of heating value, compared to Diesel 2.

Heating Value is the energy content

of the fuel, or can be interpreted as
the quantity of heat produced by its
combustion. Fuel with high calorific
values will usually produce more power
per pound of fuel than fuels with lower
values.

PM (Particulate Material) is solid or liquid particles found in the air after a combustion process.
The lack of heavy petroleum residues in renewable fuels can contribute to PM reduction
ranging from 10 to 48%.

Viscosity is the ability of the fuel to

resist flow when subject to pressure, in
other words, the thickness of the fuel.
Viscosity directly affects the atomization
of the fuel injected into the combustion
chamber. High viscosity fuels, such as
oil derived from animal fat, will produce
large fuel droplets when sprayed
through an injector nozzle, leading to
incomplete combustion.6

EMISSIONS
One of the most important qualities of renewable diesel is the reduction in emissions of the air
toxins, SOx, PM, COx, and NOx.
SOx (Sulfur Oxide) Biodiesel, SVO and WVO are essentially free of sulfur; as a result, no
presence of SOx will be found after combustion.

COx (Carbon Monoxide) Biodiesel contains up to 10% oxygen. The presence of oxygen will
promote a more complete combustion, leading to the formation of carbon dioxide rather than
COx. For blended fuels (BXX), the levels of carbon monoxide reduction range from 22% to 48%.7
NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) emissions increase or decrease depending on the engine type, ignition
timing, and fuel used. With biodiesel, an increase in NOx is the result of increased oxidation
of atmospheric nitrogen at elevated combustion temperature as the result of the 10% oxygen
present in the fuel.8

Fuel Properties6
Fuel Weight
lbs/gal

Heat of Combustion
BTU/gal

Cetane
Number

No. 2 Diesel

7.05

140,000

48

100% Biodiesel (B100)

7.3

130,000

55

5.7

B20 Mix (20/80)

7.1

138,000

50

3.3

SVO

7.5

130,000

35-45

40-50

Paper AE-1240 Biodiesel Fuel, Vern Hofman, Extension Agricultural Engineer,

North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58105
6

http://www.cytoculture.com/Biodiesel%20Handbook.htm#Nitrogen Oxides

Viscosity
cSt

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

Effect of biodiesel on engine performances and emissions
Jinlin Xuea, Tony E. Grift, Alan C. Hansena
Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Illinois
at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
College of Engineering, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210031, China

Renewable Fuels and Cat Engines

RENEWABLE

You want both optimized fuel consumption and emission standards

compliance. Cat engines are designed to operate on a variety of fuels,
including HFO, MDO, diesel, crude oil, natural gas, LPG, and renewable
fuels. Our world-leading engine program has a range of 2 MW to
14.4 MWe per unit and extensive experience with medium-speed
(500 to 1000 rpm) engines so you get the engine that suits your project.
Research and development has led to the key to reducing NOx
emissions: increase compression ratio using a long stroke cylinder,
reduce rotational speed, and provide a high-energy injection system
with precise synchronization of fuel injection and inlet
timing in a spacious combustion chamber.

In 2000, Caterpillar Motoren developed a

Engine rotation at medium speeds helps

new low emission engine (CM) to reduce

prevent premature wearing of parts and

soot and NOx for the marine market. This

components, leading to high reliability,

design is quite applicable to renewable

long life, and long overhaul intervals.

fuel operation, with low NOx emissions,

With better efficiency than regular high-

excellent load pick up, and invisible soot

speed engines, these engines also have

at all loads.

reduced fuel consumption.

Modular design, integrating various

functions in to one component, has
resulted in the highly reliable CM
medium speed engines.

Caterpillar Power Plants

Caterpillar has global experience in building and

operating oil- and gas-fueled power plants in
demanding conditions, applications, and environments.

OUR GENERATOR SETS ARE DELIVERED COMPLETE WITH STANDARDIZED AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT. Connection points
for fuel, lubricating oil, and cooling water systems are conveniently located at the free end of the engine. Preassembled
and tested at the factory, the auxiliary units are combined modules, designed to ensure safe operation, easy maintenance,
and excellent access for servicing.
Our modular design is simple and reliable, so you get:
Reduced installation and commissioning time
Improved project risk mitigation and management capability
Fewer errors and delays with improved shipping and logistics
Fewer interface problems
Effective, responsive global support and service

Professional
Solutions, Products,
and Services
Cat medium-speed engines are ideally suited
for operation in our environmentally focused
power plants, which can reliably operate on
renewable fuels. This helps lower emissions,
reduce greenhouse gases, maximize fuel
diversity, and support your attainment of local
and national renewable energy targets.
Partnering with you, we can develop a
complete power plant solution to meet your
high availability expectations.

POWER PLANT SOLUTIONS

consultation, capabilities, experience

SERVICES
hire Caterpillar to run your power plant or help you do it

Peaking/Intermediate Baseload: Single or multi-engine

plants can be strategically located to feed into the
distribution system (i.e. grid support). Scaleable, modular
design allows for efficient future plant expansion.

Operation and Maintenance Agreement (O&M): We handle all aspects of

operation, maintenance, and administration, working with you to establish
and meet specific goals for performance and return on investment.

Wind Load-following: Use of renewable fuels provides a

complement to the benefits of installed wind capacity with
extremely flexible dispatch control and fast load response.
Industrial CHP: Total plant efficiencies can exceed 90%.
Easily integrated into existing infrastructure, Caterpillar is
a popular choice among mining, textile, cement, and many
other industrial segments.
Combined Cycle: Traditional heat recovery steam
generator (HRSG) and steam turbines or organic Rankine
cycle (ORG) can be used to improve plant efficiency.

Maintenance and Repair Agreement (MRA): Our technicians perform all

maintenance and regular analysis of critical engine fluids. You also receive
technical support and staff training, plus all replacement parts.
Maintenance Service Agreement (MSA): We provide technical support, staff
training, and assistance with maintenance and troubleshooting, in addition to
the parts required for regular maintenance.
Technical Service Agreement (TSA): An experienced engineer will train your
staff to improve maintenance techniques and troubleshoot plant equipment.
Field Services: With nearly 200,000 people and 1,500 facilities worldwide
serving in excess of 200 countries, youre never far from the Caterpillar
support you need.

Caterpillar supports sustainable change on every continent.

Caterpillar Electric Power Division is a global company, operating in more than 15 time zones in 64 locations, communicating in 47 languages.

CAT, CATERPILLAR, their respective logos, Caterpillar Yellow

and the Power Edge trade dress, as well as corporate and
product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and
may not be used without permission.

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2013 Caterpillar
All rights reserved.