Winter Limitations of Biodiesel made from Used Oil or Animal Fat Print

Every vegetable oil and animal fat can be used for the transesterfication to get biodiesel. The limitation in the use of biodiesel is the CFPP value (Cold Filter Plug Point). The standard biodiesel is tested with EN 14214. The test procedure for the CFPP value describe the EN 116.

The CFPP value from the EN 14214 is given in Germany with the following values:
15.04. to 30.09. CFPP 0 °C
01.10. to 15.11. CFPP - 10 °C
16.11. to 28.02. CFPP - 20 °C
01.03. to 14.04. CFPP - 10 °C

In countries with colder climate as in Germany this values and the duration can be changed slightly. In tropical climate we reach never temperatures below + 15 °C.

The characteristic of the different oils gives us following CFPP values:

rapeseed oil biodiesel -13 °C
sunflower oil biodiesel - 5 °C
used cooking oil biodiesel - 5 to 5 °C
palm oil biodiesel 15 °C
chicken fat biodiesel - 6 °C
pig fat biodiesel 8 °C

The CFPP value is not important with a mixture fossile diesel with biodiesel in the rate of B5 or B10. With 10% biodiesel and 90 % fossile diesel we get no filter problems. Many trucks are running over winter time with used cooking oil biodiesel. They make a mixture with adding 50 % fossile diesel. With addives the CFPP value can lowered. This additives are mostly used with rapeseed oil biodiesel to reach -20 °C. All other oils can not be used for low temperatures down to – 20 °C.

Mostly all used cooking oil biodiesel comes from a collection of different oils. This mixture can reach easy the CFPP value of -10 °C, if the rapeseed oil dominate.

Biodiesel made of pure pig fat will reach 8 °C and can be used in winter time in tracks with a tank heating system. The best use of biodiesel made from palm oil or animal fat in winter time is use for the house heating. If the biodiesel is stored inside the building, then the temperature is always higher the 10 °C and have no affect of the blocking any filter.