From NORA
Results Found Fully Renewable Blends Performed Well with Few System Changes within the 121 Liquid Fuel Heating Appliances Studied.
PLAINVIEW, N.Y. - The National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) announced results of an 18-month field study showing that blends made entirely from renewable diesel and biodiesel performed reliably in 121 existing residential and light commercial oil-fired heating appliances in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, with few or no system modifications.
Approximately 275,000 gallons were delivered during the project. Most sites used RD80/B20, a blend of 80% renewable diesel and 20% biodiesel. Approximately 16% used 50% renewable diesel with 50% biodiesel (RD50/B50). Storage tanks were not replaced, emptied or cleaned, and burners were not replaced or retuned before conversion.
"This study moves the renewable fuels discussion from the laboratory to actual homes and businesses," said Michael Devine, president of NORA. "The results show that fully renewable liquid fuel blends can provide reliable heat through existing equipment and delivery infrastructure.”
Industry Collaboration
Clean Fuels Alliance America participated in the study, and Chevron supplied the fuels. R.W. Beckett Corp. and Carlin Combustion Technology Inc. provided technical guidance. Participating service companies included Cubby Oil & Energy, D.E. Duffey and Sons, Moyer & Son Inc., Noonan Energy Corp., Oehlert Bros. Inc., Rhoads Energy, Shipley Energy, and Wilson Oil & Propane.
The report, Field Study: Conversion of Oil-Fired Heating Systems to 100% Renewable Fuel, was written by Dr. Thomas A. Butcher, NORA Technical Director, and NORA Project Managers Neehad Islam and Ryan Kerr.
NORA conducted the research as part of its congressionally authorized research, development, and demonstration activities.
Among the Principal Findings:
Combustion performance remained steady after the conversion to 100% renewable fuels.
An analysis of detailed service records from 89 sites found no meaningful increase in fuel-related maintenance. Four older burner controls were upgraded to better respond to the lower luminosity of the cleaner renewable fuel flames.
Routine annual service maintained consistent operation, with no meaningful difference between RD50/B50 and RD80/B20.
"The study included legacy tanks, many types of heating appliances and systems converted without prescribed cleaning or burner upgrades," said Dr. Thomas A. Butcher, NORA technical director and lead author. "Under those conditions, the renewable fuel blends performed well, with no meaningful increase in fuel-related maintenance."
The report can be downloaded at NORAweb.org/100-Renewable-Fuel
