BIODIESEL & HVO – Renewable Liquid Fuels for Cat® Generators

What is the Difference Between Biodiesel and HVO Fuel?

HVO and biodiesel are the two main renewable liquid fuels readily available for end users, but they have several differences:

	BIODIESEL (FAME)	Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO)
Source	Vegetable oils and fats	Vegetable oils and fats
Process	Transesterification	Hydrotreating
Chemistry
Product	Oxygenated, ester	Non-oxygenated, paraffin
Replacement for diesel?	Yes, with some cautions	Yes
Specifications	ASTM D6751, EN 14214, Cat Spec	EN 15940

Note that hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO)/renewable diesel (RD) is per diesel fuel specifications except for density. HVO has lower density than diesel fuels.
Biodiesel and HVO are sourced from the same feedstocks but differ in the processing and in the final product chemistry.
HVO can be used in both standby and prime applications, whereas biodiesel is better suited to prime applications.
Both fuels can be used “neat” or blended with conventional diesel to various percentages. Refer to Cat^® publications and/or your Cat dealer for acceptable blend levels.

What are the Benefits of HVO

Running generators on HVO provides similar performance to running on diesel including similar rated power output, transient response, start-up time, and NOx emissions.
HVO fuel is a drop-in replacement for diesel.
HVO has a long shelf life and can be stored in hot and cold conditions.
Although HVO does not significantly reduce CO₂ emissions at the tailpipe, switching to HVO will reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel.
Lower visible smoke emissions when using biofuels.
HVO is available now and is easy to switch to.

What are the Benefits of Biodiesel?

Running generators on biodiesel provides similar performance to running on diesel.
Lower visible smoke emissions when using biodiesel.
Although biodiesel does not significantly reduce CO₂ emissions at the tailpipe, switching to biodiesel will reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel.
Biodiesel is widely available and is easy to switch to.

Cat diesel generators can run on biofuels and have accommodated the use of biodiesel and HVO for over a decade. These fuels are available now, and Phu Thai Cat can provide guidance and recommendations for switching to renewable liquid fuels.

BIODIESEL & HVO – Renewable Liquid Fuels for Cat® Generators

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BIODIESEL & HVO – Renewable Liquid Fuels for Cat® Generators

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BIODIESEL & HVO – Renewable Liquid Fuels for Cat^® Generators

BIODIESEL & HVO – Renewable Liquid Fuels for Cat^® Generators