Bust the Myth
Myth 1
Pump Seizures & Filter Concerns: Biodiesel will cause filters in oil burner systems to “freeze” up or “seize.”
Facts:
“Biodiesel [100% biodiesel, or B100] is a good solvent. It may loosen or dissolve varnish and sediments in fuel tanks and fueling systems left by conventional diesel over time. If a system contains sediments, the tanks and fuel system should be cleaned before B100 [biodiesel] is handled or used. A good indication that [a] B100 is cleaning the tank is an initial increase in filter plugging. Over time, filter change intervals should return to normal. This should not be an issue for B20 [a 20% blend of biodiesel in heating oil] or lower blends.”
Source: https://biodiesel.org/docs/using-hotline/nrel-handling-and-use.pdf
Myth 2
Biodiesel is incompatible with rubber seals and pumps utilized in oil burner systems, thereby causing this equipment to fail.
Facts:
“B100 [100% biodiesel] is not compatible with some hoses and gaskets. B100 [100% biodiesel] may soften and degrade certain types of rubber compounds used for hoses and gaskets (buna-N, nitrile, natural rubber) and may cause them to leak and degrade to the point where they crumble and become useless. There have not been significant material compatibility issues with B20 [20% biodiesel blended with heating oil] unless the B20 has been oxidized.”
Source: https://biodiesel.org/docs/using-hotline/nrel-handling-and-use.pdf
Myth 3
Biodiesel will cause heating oil tanks to corrode.
Facts:
“There have been reports of accelerated corrosion in ultra low sulfur diesel tanks across the country. The definitive cause of the microbial contamination is not yet known; however, the EPA and industry are [investigating] the cause and are working towards a solution. Following best practices on maintaining tanks, cleaning them, and removing water bottoms reduce the risk of corrosion.”
Source: https://biodiesel.org/docs/using-hotline/nrel-handling-and-use.pdf
Myth 4
Biodiesel is negatively affected by yellow metals, such as copper, that are present in many oil burner systems.
Facts:
“Copper strip corrosion. [The copper strip corrosion] test is used to indicate potential difficulties with copper and bronze fuel system components. The requirements for B100 [100% biodiesel] and conventional diesel are identical, and biodiesel meeting other D6751 specifications always passes this test.”
Source: https://biodiesel.org/docs/using-hotline/nrel-handling-and-use.pdf