Use of Biodiesel in a Transit Fleet (2007)

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52 SYNTHESIS QUESTIONNAIRE Use of Biodiesel in a Transit Bus Fleet Transit System Characteristics: 1. How many diesel buses are currently operating in your fleet? For those who reported biodiesel use: 7,353 (combined) 2. How many (approx.) miles do they travel annually? For those who reported biodiesel use: 217,857,955 (combined) 3. Are you currently operating any of your diesel buses with biodiesel? Yes: 18 No: 25 If “No” please answer questions 4–7. If “Yes” please answer questions 8–29. Agencies Without Biodiesel Experience: 4. Do you have near-term plans to use biodiesel? Yes: 6 No: 19 If No, what reason(s) would you give for not using biodiesel? (Check all that apply.) 6 There is no compelling reason to do so at this time 8 We are not sure of the benefits or disadvantages associated with it 5 Biodiesel is not available locally in our area 12 We are pursuing other emission-reduction strategies (e.g., hybrids, alt fuels, etc.) Explain: – Hybrids (6) – Electric shuttles, ethanol, CNG, LPG, hydrogen (4) – Diesel engines not allowed (2) 13 Other reason(s) for not using biodiesel (list/describe) – Diverse fleet – Unsure of benefits, effects on engines (2) – Possible increase in NOx emissions (2) – Cost – Cold weather concerns (2) – Fuel consistency (3) – Had used biodiesel but switched back due to problems, costs, and unknowns (2) If Yes, when do you plan to use biodiesel? – Shortly, within the year (5) – When available Why are you making the move to biodiesel? – Environmental benefits/reduced emissions and health risks (2) – Renewable energy and reduced dependency on foreign oil (4) – Better than CNG – Comply with local mandate – Greater fuel lubricity 5. What do you see as the primary benefits to using biodiesel in buses? – Environmental benefits/reduced emissions and health risks (10) – Renewable and reduced dependency on foreign oil (5) APPENDIX C Summary of all Survey Responses

53 – Greater fuel lubricity (2) – Enhanced cetane – Improved public relations – Reduced fuel taxes – May support local farm interests 6. What do you see as the primary disadvantages to using biodiesel in buses? – Increased NOx emissions (4) – Plugged fuel filter concerns (2) – Engine manufacturer concerns/limited warranty (4) – Fuel quality/blending/cold weather issues (4) – Higher costs/reduced fuel economy (6) – Material incompatibility (2) – Algae growth (2) – Unavailability – Long-term maintenance of fuel storage tanks 7. What areas of biodiesel use would you like the Synthesis Report to address? – Emissions/environment (4) – Cold weather problems/technical issues (3) – Use with ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) (3) – Fuel quality/specifications (2) – Warranty (2) – Additives (2) – Blending/dispensing (2) – Cost (2) – Availability Agencies with Biodiesel Experience: 8. What percentage of biodiesel is blended with your diesel? – B20 or greater: 8 – Under B20: 10 9. Is your agency required to use biodiesel? Yes ___4____ No ___14___ If Yes, which requirement applies to your agency? – State requirement (4) 10. Did you use a procurement specification to purchase biodiesel for the bus fleet? Yes ___12____ No ___6____ If Yes, what specific areas does your biodiesel fuel specification address (i.e., fuel blending techniques, meeting ASTM requirements, cetane, additives, etc.)? – ASTM (5) – ASTM plus quality controls/BQ-9000 (5) – Engine provided fuel specification – Cold flow/energy content If Yes, would you be willing to share your biodiesel specification? Yes _12___ No ___0___ 11. What is the current per-gallon agency cost for: $2.06 average for biodiesel/diesel blend per gallon $1.98 average for ultra-low sulfur diesel per gallon 12. Does your agency receive any tax breaks or other incentives for using biodiesel? Yes ___8____ No ___10___

If Yes, explain: – Blenders tax credit (4) – Tax-exempt status (2) – Grant – Biodiesel priced lower than diesel 13. Other than using a biodiesel specification, please describe any procurement procedures or requirements that your agency has in place that would assist others with their purchase of biodiesel. – Establish a good relationship with supplier; know raw product – Require tanker truck compartments sealed after filled at terminal – Require proof of insurance – Provide delivery time frame – Require biocide and “Tank Dri” to prevent algae growth – Require discount from biodiesel rack average price for contract life – Require delivery temperature and time, and process for blending on site – Random monitoring of fuel quality once per month; retain samples 14. Did you begin your use of biodiesel as a test on a limited number of buses? Yes ___7____ No ___11____ If Yes, how many buses were involved in the initial test? Biodiesel Test Current Biodiesel Fleet Total Diesel Fleet 3 14 14 6 830 830 10 130 426 10 234 234 75 825 825 230 639 1,273 232 398 398 15. How many buses currently operate on biodiesel? __5,959_ (combined) 16. Have you had any problems or issues associated with the delivery of biodiesel? Yes ___8____ No ___10____ If Yes, explain: – Supplier lacks product at times to meet delivery needs – Received some loads high in glycerine and/or moisture content; change fuel filters on daily service lane – Inconsistent blending at times – B100 used to blend did not meet cold weather specification – Cold weather issues/filter plugging (4) What have you done to improve the delivery of biodiesel as a result of those issues? – Require supplier to retain fuel sample of each delivery for 7 months – Changed to new supplier who tests biodiesel more frequently – Require supplier to have improved cold weather additives – Supplier to mix inside or discontinue “splash blending” when below 20°F – Require supplier to provide improved (in-pipe) blending – Use two dispensing filters; small 30 micron filter to protect metering device and very large 10 micron external filter 17. How is biodiesel stored and dispensed at your agency? 14 (78%) Biodiesel has replaced our entire diesel supply in bulk storage 5 (28%) We use separate biodiesel storage tanks and dispensers 2 (11%) We use “wet hose” dispensing where a tanker truck fills buses individually 1 Other. Explain: We use tank blending method; diesel is dropped first, followed by biodiesel owing to specific gravity. Rotate tanks to allow blending time. Tanks temperature averages 46°F degrees or warmer year around. 18. Have you had any problems (e.g., gelling) associated with the storage of biodiesel? 54

55 Response from agencies using under B20: Yes ___3___ No ___7____ If Yes, explain: – Gelling in cold weather – Algae growth (2) What have you done to improve the storage of biodiesel as a result of those issues? – Reduced percentage in winter – Killed algae, changed vendors, required more frequent testing; treat each load with biocide and “Tank Dri,” require supplier to cover all tank clean-up cost associated with bad fuel. Agency pays for annual tank cleaning cost (approximately $5,000/2,000 gal. tanks.) Response from agencies using B20 or greater: Yes ___3____ No ___5____ If Yes, explain: – Received some loads high in glycerine and/or water content is high – Filter freeze-ups – Large gelling problem when temps got down to 15°F. Ultra low sulfur diesel is the problem. Did not have problem with biodiesel and pre-ULSD What have you done to improve the storage of biodiesel as a result of those issues? – Require supplier to retain fuel sample of each delivery for 7 months – Dilute biodiesel with No. 2 diesel for the remainder of winter = B5 19. Describe any biodiesel handling procedures or requirements that differ from traditional diesel handling. – None (6) – Use placard: “Low Sulfur Diesel with 2% Bio Diesel Content” – Additional testing/monitoring only during our test of B20 fuel – Request blending at rack, not on the truck or in tank – Require tank to be above 40°F when biodiesel is dropped in the tank – Product is manually recorded as opposed to electronic metering 20. Describe any other infrastructure procedures or requirements that differ from traditional diesel facilities. – None (8) – Require supplier to keep biodiesel heated to 50°F for best blending – Biodiesel is currently stored in a separate 500 gal. tank and dispensed only to the four buses being tested; limited use avoids Board approval – Installed hydrosorb filters on fuel islands to extract moisture, which must be changed often, sometimes daily – Same as diesel: inside fueling, garages heated to 55°F –60°F during winter; filter fuel at fill hose with filter that has a water block media 21. Has your agency experienced any vehicle related problems with biodiesel? Response from agencies using under B20: Yes ___5____ No ___5____ If Yes, indicate which problems apply and the corrective action taken: __4___ Clogged fuel filters Corrective action: – Changed fuel suppliers; added second filter on one group of buses – Change filters more often – Reevaluated fuel treatment and mixing procedures; increased fuel testing for bacteria; reduced fuel filter replacement interval; install pre-filters before transfer pump – Minor clogging on about 20% of fleet ___0__ Seal deterioration Corrective action: __3___ Reduced fuel economy

Corrective action: – None (3) __1___ Others: – Increased failures of certain engines Corrective action: Check vehicle tank for algae when excessive filter plugging occurs Response from agencies using B20 or greater: Yes ___6____ No ___2____ If Yes, indicate which problems apply and the corrective action taken: __5___ Clogged fuel filters Corrective action: – Monitor filter sight glass at fuel island daily, change filter when needed – Found dirt in in-ground tanks; did a thorough cleaning and corrected the issue – Change filters more frequently __0___ Seal deterioration Corrective action: __3___ Reduced fuel economy Corrective action: – (comment) After using almost a million gallons of biodiesel over the past ten months the average mpg has only increased by 0.5% compared to ULSD __0___ Others: 22. Does the percentage of biodiesel (e.g., B10, B20, etc.) used at your agency conform to engine manufacturer’s recommendations? Agencies using under B20: Yes ___7___ No ___3____ Have you verified warranty coverage with the engine manufacturer? Yes ___8___ No ___2____ Agencies using B20 or greater: Yes ___3___ No ___4____ Unknown __1___ Have you verified warranty coverage with the engine manufacturer? Yes ___7___ No ___1____ 23. Do you have any experiences to share concerning the lubricity of biodiesel? Yes ___5____ No ___11____ If Yes, explain: – Beneficial to certain engines; failures of the pump have ceased – Provides lubricity lost with ULSD (4) 24. Do you have any experiences to share concerning the use of biodiesel with the new ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD)? Yes ___7___ No ___11___ If Yes, explain: – No problems encountered, a non-issue (5) – Supplier has not been able to reduce the gel point to pre-ULSD levels – Biodiesel (B2) is adequately replacing the lubricity lost with ULSD 56

57 25. Have preventive maintenance inspection (PMI) procedures changed as a result of biodiesel use in your bus fleet? Yes ___4____ No ___13___ If Yes, what specific areas of your PMI have changed? – Changed fuel filters much more frequently; now it is not a problem – Reduced fuel filter replacement interval – Added secondary fuel filter 26. Do you have any experiences or testing results concerning exhaust emissions and the use of biodiesel? Yes ___5___ No ___13___ If Yes, explain: – University of West Virginia testing done in 1995 – Emission test with B10 performed by University of Houston resulted in an average of 2.5% increase in fuel use, a 2% increase in NOx, and an 11% decrease in PM emissions – Samples taken to measure particulate matter; comparisons made; results are mixed; more studies needed; information is inconclusive – Supplier conducts emissions testing per our agreement 27. Does your agency develop marketing material that promotes the use of biodiesel to the public? Yes ___9____ No ___9____ If Yes, would you be willing to share press releases and other such materials? Yes ___9____ No ___0____ 28. What areas of biodiesel use would you like the Synthesis Report to address? – Fuel quality – Adverse effects including storage, blending, cold weather use (7) – Warranty issues when using biodiesel blends of higher than B5 (2) – Emissions (2) 29. Please add anything else you feel would benefit your peers in using biodiesel. – Only use BQ-9000 certified suppliers. – Great PR—replaces petroleum, public thinks it is great on emissions. – B20 a non-issue in our hybrid bus fleet. – Preparation and maintenance of fuel storage/handling/pumping equipment becomes more critical with use of biodiesel. – Cold weather areas need to be very careful about the quality of the B100 and also have reliable suppliers. – Expect to change all your fuel filters in the first month. – Use a petrodiesel blendstock you have confidence in. – Even with relatively low concentration of biodiesel, we need to clean each storage tank and treat each tank at least yearly with a fungicide. – Biodiesel is a very temperamental fuel that does not have the quality controls (QC) in place to make it reliable (contrary to what the Bio industry says); unless issues are addressed biodiesel will not become a viable alternative. – Bus manufacturers or transit agencies will most likely need to make some minor design changes (i.e., heated pre-filters in the fuel system) to accommodate higher biodiesel blends in cold weather applications. – Areas with high humidity should look at things that could be done to to reduce the potential for algae growth in underground and vehicle tanks. – ULSD has many problems including gelling, lubricity, and emission issues, which can be offset with a very high- quality BQ-9000 biodiesel. – You will need to evaluate your infrastructure, and develop a cost and operational plan to incorporate biodiesel in your fuel management plan to achieve economic, environmental, and mechanical benefits. This can be accomplished within a short time frame and will help to reduce our dependency on foreign oil now and in the future. – Difficult to understand why engine manufacturers do not understand biodiesel and have very limited experience with the fuel. I think this needs to be addressed as we move to 2010 emissions standards. – Although the engine manufacturer does not warranty engines over B5, we are keeping them informed of our B20 test. – Have a procurement option with supplier should there be an interruption in the supply chain or a problem is discovered with the biodiesel. – Biodiesel has usually been readily available here, but we could not get it this winter. – We strongly feel that a sole supplier of biodiesel is needed to guarantee quality and protect the agency’s investments. – We have had absolutely no problems with biodiesel. This spring we will be switching to a 15% blend, then anticipating no problems, we will be switching to 20% mid-summer. We will continue raising our blends by 5% until we feel we have reached the equilibrium considering cost of fuel, cost of maintenance, bio related problems, etc.

– We may be running biodiesel/diesel comparison for approximately 8 weeks. – We ran 1970s era buses with mechanical engine controls, 1980s buses with mechanical engine controls, and 1990s engines with electronic controls all last year with B5 and had absolutely no problems at all. Please Return the Completed Survey Questionnaire by January 26, 2007 to: John Schiavone 32 State Street Guilford, CT 06437 Telephone: 203-453-2728 Fax: 203-453-2728 E-mail address: JohnJSchiavone@cs.com We encourage you to return your completed survey to John Schiavone via e-mail at JohnJSchiavone@cs.com. If you have any questions on the survey or the project, please do not hesitate to call John at 203-453-2728. Thank you very much for your participation in this important project. 58