Americas News
MARAD: Biofuel Blend Equivalent to ULSD for Engine Performance
An "at sea" test of a renewable biofuel has found no significant difference in engine performance compared with regular ultralow sulfur diesel (ULSD), according to the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), which conducted the test.
MARAD tested a 67/33 blend of ULSD and Amyris Renewable Diesel (ARD) fuel, which is derived from sugar, on the training ship State of Michigan and found that the blend reduced air emissions without hurting performance.
The tests also found no significant differences in fuel economy, according to the news site Environmental Leader.
The test was originally intended to look at a 50/50 blend of ULSD and the biodiesel, but an accidental spill resulted in the 67/33 split, and Amyris did not have enough additional biofuel on hand to rebalance the blend.
In another U.S. test, the SeaChange Group recently found that a blend of diesel and glycerol, a byproduct of the biodiesel industry, could reduce emissions significantly.
