Oct 29, 2008

[i][url=http://www.astm.org/COMMIT/COMMITTEE/D02.htm]ASTM Committee D02 [/url]Publishes New and Revised Biodiesel Specifications [/i] High costs at the pump, renewable energy and alternate sources continue to headline today’s news and a group of newly published ASTM International specifications sets the standard for one of these fuels: biodiesel, a fuel used in freight trucks, buses, boats ships and more. Because of these factors, and because of increasing production in Peru, biodiesel has become an important topic for discussion between ASTM International staff and members and the Peruvian petroleum industry. [b]ASTM Standards for Biofuels Discussed at Conference[/b] On Aug. 12, seventy members of Peru’s petroleum industry, including key players on the Peruvian Technical Committee on Biofuel Standards, attended ASTM International—Present and Future Use of Biofuels for Use in Engines in Lima, Peru at the offices of PetroPeru, a major petroleum company in the region. Represented stakeholders included the Ministry of Energy and Mines, biodiesel processors, fuel commercialization and retail, regulators, laboratories and universities. James Olshefsky, director of external relations, ASTM International, made a presentation to the group to inform them about ASTM and its standards related to ethanol and biodiesel and other related programs. Peru has referenced several ASTM standards on petroleum in their national standard on biodiesel. As a result of Olshefsky’s visit, more than 30 technical experts from Peru have joined ASTM International Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants. A new Peruvian regulation will require a 2% blend in all diesel by the beginning of 2009. Peru also recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States to cooperate bilaterally on renewable and clean energy matters (see [url=http://www.portofentry.com/site/root/resources/industry_news/6839.html]www.portofentry.com/site/root/resources/industry_news/6839.html)[/url]. [b]Videoconference Used to Clarify Technical Issues[/b] As a follow-up to the Aug. 12 event, representatives from the Peruvian petroleum industry took part in a videoconference on Sept. 23 with ASTM staff and an expert from [url=http://www.astm.org/COMMIT/COMMITTEE/D02.htm]Committee D02[/url]. Paul Wells, an engineer from the fuel products section of ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Co., answered technical questions related to ASTM biodiesel specifications and test methods. The major portion of the videoconference agenda was a discussion of 12 technical questions that were submitted in advance of the meeting. Afterward, Ricardo A. Diaz, technical coordinator, Peru Biofuels Committee, expressed his appreciation for the discussion and was optimistic about future cooperation between ASTM International and standards committees in Peru. [b]New And Revised ASTM Biodiesel Standards[/b] Four standards now available from ASTM International provide quality assurance for biodiesel. The new and revised ASTM biodiesel standards include the following: [url=http://www.astm.org/Standards/D975.htm]ASTM D975-08a[/url], Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils—used for on and off road diesel applications, was revised to include an allowance for up to 5 percent biodiesel; [url=http://www.astm.org/Standards/D396.htm]ASTM D396-08b[/url], Specification for Fuel Oils—used for home heating and boiler applications, was revised to include an allowance for up to 5 percent biodiesel; [url=http://www.astm.org/Standards/D6751.htm]ASTM D6751-08[/url], Specification for Biodiesel Fuel Blend Stock (B100) for Middle Distillate Fuels—used to control pure biodiesel (B100) quality prior to blending with conventional diesel type fuels, was revised to include a requirement that controls minor compounds using a new cold soak filterability test; and [url=http://www.astm.org/Standards/D7467.htm]ASTM D7467-08[/url], Specification for Diesel Fuel Oil, Biodiesel Blend (B6 to 20)—a completely new specification that covers finished fuel blends of between 6 (B6) and 20 (B20) percent biodiesel for on- and off-road diesel engine use. [b]Biodiesel Web Portal and Contact Information[/b] A biodiesel web portal, www.astmbiodieselfuel.com, links the ASTM biodiesel specifications, numerous referenced ASTM documents, key government regulations and other related information through the portal. Users can compare revisions to any document included in the portal, make notes and annotations in the standards and other documents, and share thoughts and comments with others. The resource is available through a paid subscription. For more information about the biodiesel standards, the biodiesel Web portal and [url=http://www.astm.org/COMMIT/COMMITTEE/D02.htm]Committee D02[/url], contact ASTM staff manager David Bradley (phone: 610-832-9681; [url=mailto:dbradley@astm.org]dbradley@astm.org[/url]). ASTM International standards can be purchased from ASTM Customer Service (phone: 610-832-9585; [url=https://www.astm.org/contact]https://www.astm.org/contact[/url]), or at [url=http://www.astm.org]www.astm.org[/url]. Release 8079/Oct2008