B20 performance equals ULSD

July 15, 2009

A study from Purdue University showed there is almost no statistical performance difference in semitrailer trucks using B20 and No. 2 ultra-low sulfur diesel. The study compared two 10-vehicle truck fleets with the same engines, similar miles at the start and driven nearly the same number of miles over the year. The study followed each fleet's idle time percentage, average speed, engine load percentage and engine speed. At the end of the study, each fleet of 10 trucks had driven more than 1.5 million miles. Differences in performance based on fuel economy, fuel test results, engine oil analysis, and service and maintenance costs were considered minute. The only statistically significant difference was that B20 slightly lowered oil viscosity between maintenance intervals, although within tolerances. B20 cost about 13 cents more per gallon during the study. "This shows there is no observable difference in performance of engines using biodiesel versus the more common commercial fuel," said John Lumkes, assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering, who lead the study.

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