BEFORE YOU OPERATE
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Bio-diesel fuels
General description of biodiesel
1. Biodiesel is a renewable, oxygenated fuel made
from agricultural and renewable resources
such as soybeans or rapeseeds. Biodiesel is a
fuel comprised of methyl or ethyl ester
oxygenates of long chain fatty acids derived
from the transesterification of vegetable oils,
animal fats, and cooking oils. It contains no
petroleum-based diesel fuel but can be
blended at any level with petroleum-based
diesel fuel. In case it is not blended with
petroleum-based diesel fuel such biodiesel is
referred to as “B100”, which means that it
consists of 100 % (pure) biodiesel. However,
most common biodiesel is blended with
conventional (petroleum-based) diesel fuel.
The percentage of the blend can be identified
by its name. For example, “B7” consists of 7 %
biodiesel and 93 % conventional diesel fuel.
The unprocessed vegetable oil is not
considered as diesel fuel.
2. Advantages of biodiesel:
• Biodiesel produces less visible smoke and a
lower amount of particulate matter.
• Biodiesel is biodegradable and nontoxic.
• Biodiesel is safer than conventional diesel fuel
because of its higher flash point.
Following the increased interest in the reduction
of emissions and the reduction of the use of
petroleum distillate based fuels; many
governments and regulating bodies encourage
the use of biodiesel.
3. Disadvantages of biodiesel:
Concentrations that are higher than 7 % of
biodiesel (higher than B7) can have an adverse
affect on the engine’s performance, its integrity
and/or durability. The risk of problems occurring
in the engine increases as the level of biodiesel
blend increases. The following negative affects
are exemplary and typical for the usage of high
concentrated biodiesel blends:
• Biodiesel can accelerate the oxidation of
Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Copper and Zinc.
• Biodiesel damages, and finally seeps through
certain seals, gaskets, hoses, glues and
plastics.
• Certain natural rubbers, nitride and butyl
rubbers will become harder and more brittle as
degradation proceeds when used with
biodiesel.
• The deteriorated biodiesel creates deposits in
the engines.
• Due to its natural characteristic, biodiesel will
decrease the engine output by approximately 2
percent (in case of B20) comparing to
conventional (petroleum-based) diesel fuel.
• The fuel consumption ratio will increase by
approximately 3 percent (in case of B20)
comparing to conventional diesel fuel.
Approved engines
Isuzu C series engine can be operated with
biodiesel with concentrations up to B20. In case of
using biodiesel fuel up to B7 concentrations, no
special preparations etc. have to be made and the
original operating conditions and service intervals
as stated in the operating manuals apply. In case of
running below indicated engines with biodiesel
concentrations from B8 to B20, the required
operating conditions (see below Conditions for the
operation with biodiesel (from B8 to B20) ) have
to be observed.
Other than the following listed engines cannot be
run with biodiesel:
• 3CE1, 3CH1 and 3CJ1 Tier 4
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