How Is Bioheat® Fuel Made?
Bioheat® fuel is a buzzword these days that has everybody talking. It is the most actionable solution to low-carbon heating for homes and businesses and is the only liquid heating fuel that can continue to lower its carbon content. It’s better for the environment, cleaner for the air you breathe, and safer for the future of your community. But how is it made? Read this blog post to learn exactly where Bioheat® fuel comes from and what makes it the best renewable energy option to heat your home or business.
What is Bioheat® fuel?
Bioheat® fuel is a blend of traditional, ultra-low sulfur heating fuel with renewable biodiesel.
Where does biodiesel come from?
Biodiesel is made across the United States using abundant low-carbon feedstocks, including soybean oil, inedible corn oil, and waste fats, oils, and greases. Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification where:
- Glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil.
- This process leaves behind two products—methyl esters and glycerin.
- The remaining glycerin is used in a variety of products, including soap.
- Then all that’s left is methyl esters, the chemical name for biodiesel!
How does biodiesel blend to make Bioheat® fuel?
Biodiesel is blended with ultra-low sulfur heating fuel to make Bioheat® fuel. There are a variety of Bioheat® fuel blends available right now, ranging from 5% biodiesel (B5 Bioheat® fuel) up to 20% biodiesel (B20 Bioheat® fuel). The industry has a plan in place to continue increasing the percentage of biodiesel in Bioheat® fuel until it reaches net-zero emissions by 2050.
Are there quality standards for Bioheat® fuel?
Yes, for a fuel to be called Bioheat® fuel, it can only be made with ASTM D6751 grade biodiesel. ASTM International is a group that sets technical standards for the global industry; D6751 is the specification for 100% biodiesel fuel (B100).
Bioheat® fuel has been thoroughly tested by the most prominent fuel research organizations in the world. Independent studies by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Southwest Research Institute, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and the US Department of Agriculture have shown that ASTM-grade biodiesel can blend seamlessly in traditional heating fuel with even greater benefits to performance, human health, energy security, and global climate change.