Cummins Application Engineering Bulletin: Biodiesel Fuel Usage Application Requirements

Purpose

The purpose of this AEB is to provide Application Requirements and Recommendations for the use of biodiesel fuel above B5 and up to B20 in the new installations of certain engine models prescribed by Cummins. This AEB lists certain applications that are not approved for use of biodiesel above B5. For B5 and below, no special treatment is required, provided that all biodiesel fuel blends are comprised of petrodiesel meeting ASTM D975 and B100 meeting either ASTM D6751 or EN14214.

Introduction

Cummins Service Bulletin 3379001 outlines a number of items related to the use of biodiesel fuel:

• Biodiesel terminology
• Warranty and the use of biodiesel fuel in Cummins Engines
• Requirements for using biodiesel fuel in Cummins Engines
• Acceptable biodiesel fuel standards and biodiesel fuel supplier requirements.

The requirements and recommendations given in this AEB are specific to the use of biodiesel. It is assumed that all other fuel system installation requirements are being met as well, as described in the following AEBs:

• AEB 24.10 – Fuel System – Industrial Application Installation Recommendations
• AEB 21.33 – Automotive and Bus Installation Requirements – Fuel Systems
• MAB 0.05.00-3/24/2004 – Engine Fuel System Installation – Marine
• AEB 70.28 – Generator-Drive HPI-TP & PT Fuel System Installation Requirements

Installation Requirements

For biodiesel blends above B5 and up to B20 the following requirements must be met:

• The engine model must be approved and listed in Cummins Service Bulletin 3379001, and the application must not be listed as disapproved in the market appendices of this AEB.
• All fuel wetted components must not contain the following materials; copper, brass, bronze, zinc, lead, tin, natural rubber, nitrile rubber compounds, polypropylene, and polyvinyl. Cummins is not in a position to evaluate the wide variety of non-metallic compounds with biodiesel. Contact your equipment vendor or OEM and ask if the equipment is compatible with biodiesel.
• Fuel tanks must be made from the following materials; aluminum, steel, fluorinated polyethylene, fluorinated polypropylene or Teflon.
• For adequate water separation, Cummins Filtration, StrataPoreTM synthetic fuel filter media should maintained as provided with the engine. If local conditions require additional water separation capacity, reference Table 1 for auxiliary filtration/water separation. Fuel flow rates can be found on the engine data sheet
• It is highly recommended that Water in Fuel sensors be installed on electronic engines.
• A fuel heater should be used in applications where ambient temperatures are below -5 deg C (23 Deg F) and no cold weather fuel additives are available or will be used.
• Use biodiesel fuel within 6 months of its manufacture.
• Biodiesel has poor oxidation stability, which can result in long term storage problems. The poor oxidation stability qualities can accelerate fuel oxidation in the fuel system, especially at increased ambient temperatures. This is especially true in engines with electronic fuel systems, because they operate at higher temperatures. Biodiesel fuel should be used within 6 months of its manufacture. For this reason, Cummins Inc. does not recommend using biodiesel for low use applications, such as standby power or seasonal applications. Consult your fuel supplier for oxidation stability additives.
• If biodiesel is used for seasonal applications, the engine should be purged before storage by running at least 1/2 a tank of pure diesel fuel through the system.
• Care must also be taken when storing biodiesel in bulk storage tanks. All storage and handling systems must be properly cleaned and maintained. Steps should also be taken to minimize moisture and microbial growth in storage tanks. Consult your fuel supplier for assistance in storing and handling biodiesel.
• Due to some of the properties of biodiesel fuel blends, such as cold weather operation, long term storage, material incompatibilities and other effects on engine operating characteristics it is highly recommended that specified market applications are avoided or extra care be exercised. These include low duty cycle, intermittent operation applications. This AEB provides appendices by market which lists applications to avoid and other recommendations by market.Appendix A: Industrial / Mining / AgricultureAppendix B: Power Generation

Table 1. Auxiliary/Supplemental Filtration and Water Separator Products

Fuel Filter and Water Separator Recommendations based on Maximum Fuel Flow Requirements of the Engine.
The recommended product is a filter head that can be equipped with filter options (micron rating) depending on application requirements. Micron rating requirements can be found in the fuel system related AEB’s listed in the Introduction section of this AEB. This is not a replacement for current filtration, rather a recommendation for auxiliary remote mounted filtration.

*Lb/Hr based on No. 2 Diesel fuel density of 850 g/liter [7.10 lb/U.S. gal] @ 25 Deg. C. [77 Deg F]

Appendix A: Industrial / Mining / Agriculture Recommendations

Due to some of the properties of biodiesel fuel blends, such as cold weather operation, long term storage, it is highly recommended that extra care be exercised in the following applications:

Appendix B: Power Generation Recommendations

Due to some of the properties of biodiesel fuel blends, such as cold weather operation, long term storage, it is highly recommended that extra care be exercised in the following applications:

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