A few months ago (May 2003), I started a thread about the legalities relating to the use of VO in a diesel engine in the U.S. This eventually led to the discovery, that the U.S. EPA wants certain emissions test results, to recognize VO as a legal motor fuel. Biodiesel went through this process in it's own right, but because of the chemical differences between biodiesel and VO, VO cannot be recognized on the basis of the biodiesel test results.
Ed Beggs, of Neoteric Biofuels, Inc., allowed me to forward a thesis he had written, "Renewable Oil Fuels and Diesel Engines as Components of Sustainable System Design", to the U.S. EPA. It was my hope that this thesis would provide the EPA with the data they were looking for. I suspected, however, that the thesis would not be enough. Even so, I gambled on the EPA responding with where the data was lacking, so I could begin to research how to complete the data set. Jim Caldwell, of the U.S. EPA, has responded back. It took him about 2 days to respond, so he at least had the time to read the thesis. As I had suspected, Jim informed me that the thesis did not contain the necessary information. But, he was able to point me to the U.S. EPA's "Diesel Retrofit Program". After skimming through the information on the Retrofit Program, I've found a section which offers alternative fuels as, for lack of a better way to say it, a 'retrofit' to reduce emissions. It also appears that a wealth of documentation, test plans, and other requirements are available. So, what does this mean in the end? My quest to get VO accepted by the U.S. EPA as a legal motor fuel might just have a chance. At least I have access to a method for submitting the right information the right way, to the EPA. I'll be reading over the information on this program over the next few days/weeks, as I have spare time. Hopefully, then, I can draw up some kind of feasable plan to get regulations pushed through the EPA. If anyone cares to help in some way (I'm certainly don't have the facilities or knowledge, yet, to complete what I'm attempting), I'd be glad to accept it. If not, expect to be hit with questions as I learn how to make this happen. -detrick -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: Use of vegetable oil in a diesel engine Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 08:35:39 -0400 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Detrick Merz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Detrick, Thank you for the interesting thesis. However, it does not address whether the technology, when applied to engines certified to U.S. emission standards, will allow those engines to still meet standards. I believe that the most appropriate approach for you to take is through the Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Program. Please see: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/retrofit/index.htm. Jim Caldwell (202) 564-9303 ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for Your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at Myinks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US & Canada. http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511 http://us.click.yahoo.com/l.m7sD/LIdGAA/qnsNAA/FGYolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://archive.nnytech.net/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
