November 6, 2008 

Midwest Laboratories has posted the new Biodiesel specifications as outlined in the new ASTM Methods for (B100) Biodiesel and (B6 to B20)  Biodiesel Blends.  This document should help producers understand the limits when sending samples for testing.  Questions contact Brent @ bkp1@midwestlabs.com   

  

October 24, 2008 

  

New ASTM D 6751 Regulations - Cold Soak Filtration has been added to this package.  Cold Soak Filtration is a process of freezing the sample and then pouring it through a filter. Midwest Laboratories offers this testing package. Questions, contact Brent @ bkp1@midwestlabs.com

  

  

August 18, 2008 

  

With the price of feedstocks going down, several plants are going back to full-production and are continuing to test their product to insure a quality product. 

 

June 27, 2008 

  

Ask Ben  - http://www.biodiesel.org/askben/   This is a great site for all types of biodiesel questions. The following question was submitted. 

  

ASTM D 6751 Question and response 

  

Thank you for submitting a question to Ask Ben

Your Question:

Where can I get a copy of the new ASTM Blending Methods that were recently passed. Also, in one of the press releases I read, it said there are changes to ASTM D 6751. What changes were made to this regulation?

Bens Answer:

Once the standards have been published they will be available on the NBB web site. The major change to ASTM D 6751 for B-100 is the addition of a Cold Soak Filtration Test. D-396 Heating Oil Spec and D-975 Diesel fuel Spec have both been modified to include up to B-5 for heating oil and B-6 to B-20 for transportation fuel.

Thank you for using Ask Ben; your source for biodiesel answers.

***Important: Please do not reply to this email. This mailbox is not set up to receive email.***

Thanks and keep in touch,
Ben
Biodiesel Education Network
National Biodiesel Board

For More information on biodiesel, visit the National Biodiesel Boar d's website at http://www.biodiesel.org  

  

June 23, 2008 

  

ASTM Letter 

June 20, 2008 

  

Big Win for Biodiesel: ASTM Approves New Biodiesel Blend Specifications 

   

Vancouver, British Columbia - The biodiesel industry is celebrating today following last night's final vote by the ASTM International D02 Main Committee to approve a trio of long awaited

ASTM specifications for biodiesel blends. After more than five years of extensive

research and subsequent balloting by the ASTM fuel experts in the blended fuel balloting

process, ASTM has finally voted to approve three key sets of biodiesel specifications that should

significantly bolster automaker support and consumer demand for biodiesel:

• Changes to the existing B100 biodiesel blend stock specification (ASTM D6751)

• Finished specifications to include up to 5% biodiesel (B5) in the conventional petrodiesel

specification (ASTM D975)

• A new specification for blends of between 6 percent biodiesel (B6) to 20 percent biodiesel

(B20) for on and off road diesel.

 

For more information, see the complete article at the National Biodiesel Board Site.  .

  

June 18, 2008 

  

New ASTM Standards for Biodiesel Blends  - Coming Thursday, June 19, 2008 

 

Look for new methods being announced on Thursday from the ASTM Board regarding Biodiesel Blends. The information will be posted on this site as soon as it is available.  Check out this article outlining this weeks events.   

  

  

February 22, 2008 

  

Article on Feedstocks 

  

Soybean Crushers Face Biofuel Dilemna  

  

The following article highlights the fact that high soy prices are making producers think twice about feedstocks. Some companies are switching over to canola as a feedstock. Algae was also mentioned as an alternative feedstock at the National Biodiesel Conference.

 

http://www.kansas.com/508/story/318956.html   

  

February 5, 2008 

  

Press Release from National Biodiesel Board 

  

Study Shows Biodiesel Industry Steps Up to Fuel Quality Challenge
BQ-9000 quality assurance program shines

ORLANDO, Fla.- The aggressive fuel quality outreach program put into place by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has demonstrated positive results. A new study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) shows the biodiesel industry has achieved a high degree of success in meeting national fuel quality standards.  

  

Complete Story  

  

http://nbb.grassroots.com/08Releases/NRELstudy/  

  

  

  

January 28, 2008 

  

Annual Biodiesel Conference and Expo 2008 

  

Check out the sessions being offered 

  

http://biodieselconference.org/2008/pdfs/full_brochure.pdf  

  

This years show features a number of outstanding presentations and press releases from different companies.  

  

Check out Midwest Laboratories Booth  

  

  

January 1, 2008 

  

This site will be updated with news related to ASTM 6751 and  laboratory testing news related to this Test Method. Please feel free to send in questions regarding ASTM 6751. Over the next few months, this site will be update with more information concerning ASTM 6751.  

  

December 31, 2007 

  

Biodiesel and Glycerin Testing Link posted on the National Biodiesel Board website.  

  

November 7, 2007 

  

The following article highlights the need for cold testing and the various test methods available.  

  

The Effect of Minor Components on Cloud Point and Filterability 

by Lisa Pfalzgraf, Inmok Lee, James Foster and George Poppe 

  

http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/article-print.jsp?article_id=1916  

  

October 23, 2007 

  

Please read the following memo from the National Biodiesel Board. ASTM D 6751-07b is now in effect.  

  

To:     NBB members, Staff, Key Contractors

From:   Steve Howell, NBB Technical Director

RE:     ASTM D 6751-07b Now In Effect, Available from ASTM

  

Date:   October 15, 2007

  

This is to inform NBB members, staff, and key contractors that ASTM D 6751-07b is now in effect and is available to the public at the ASTM web site, www.astm.org.

 

There are no substantive changes to the properties of biodiesel for this new version of the blending stock standard for biodiesel.

  

ASTM D 6751-07b modified the B100 blend stock standard D 6751-07a by making the following changes:

  

1. The scope was modified in order to reduce misinterpretation that this clause can be used to modify the test methods or values of the specification and to provide clear guidance that the specification applies at the time and place of delivery unless the buyer and seller mutually agree to apply the specification at a different place or time in the distribution chain.

  

2.It is now permitted to utilize the alternative method ASTM D 6890—commonly called the Ignition Quality Tester or IQT—for qualifying B100 for Cetane Number.  The Cetane Number (engine test), D 613, is the referee method and shall be used in cases of dispute between the D 6890 and D 613 values.

  

3. It is now permitted to utilize the alternative method ASTM D 7039—commonly called the Xinde sulfur method—for qualifying B100 for sulfur level.  The sulfur method D 5453 is the referee method and shall be used in cases of dispute between the D 7039 and D 5453 values.

  

We have had questions about whether there is any grace period for meeting the updated specs.  Here is what we know:

  

• ASTM does not get involved with how people use or enforce their specifications.  It is up to contracts between the buyer and seller--or state or federal regulations—to determine if there is some sort of grace period. 
• Each state has different regulations which govern fuel specs in their state which are implemented by the state Weights and Measures group.  NBB is sponsoring a program to outline the current regulatory framework of each state for adoption and enforcement of D 6751.  See the members-only section of the NBB web site for the latest info.  At the present time, some states have not adopted D 6751 as their legal biodiesel spec.  Some states automatically adopt the 'latest version of ASTM specs' while some have to actually vote the new spec in or approve its use in some way.
• We have not received any specific guidance from USDA, IRS, or EPA on how they treat updates to ASTM standards and when they consider them in place for their enforcement purposes.  We will continue to pursue more formal guidance. 
• Your contracts with your customers will probably be the guiding factor on whether you have to use ASTM D 6751-07b immediately. 
• Realistically, with Sarbanes-Oxley rules making company executives personally liable for the illegal acts of their companies, most of your petroleum customers buying biodiesel will want it to meet D 6751-07b.

  

  

ASTM D 6751-07A  sets the standard for testing B100 Biodiesel.  This specification has been updated with the latest version implemented in March 2007.  Some of the major tests recently added in this version is the Oxidation Stability (EN 14112), Calcium & Magnesium, combined (EN14538)  and Sodium/Potassium, combined (EN14112). For all specifications, see the specification page found on the National Biodiesel Board Website.    

  

http://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/BDSpec.PDF