Government targets to tackle climate change have renewed pressure on businesses to examine their carbon footprint. The UK government’s Net Zero Strategy has set a series of proposals and policies that aim to decarbonise the UK economy. One area of focus is the use of renewable fuels.
With that in mind, there’s no better time for British businesses to consider alternatives to traditional fossil diesel. One biofuel up for consideration is HVO fuel, which is made from 100% renewable sources and is being touted as a viable and effective substitute for diesel. But just what is HVO fuel and will it be effective in your business?
What is HVO Fuel?
Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil AKA HVO fuel is a 2nd generation biofuel that’s made from vegetable oils or animal fats using hydrotreating processes, usually hydrocracking or hydrogenation. The former technique uses hydrogen, rather than methanol, to break down large molecules into smaller ones to remove contaminants, whereas the latter method adds hydrogen to molecules. The result is one of the cleanest fuels around.
HVO fuel is an improvement on 1st generation biofuels, such as Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) biodiesel. While these biofuels are made from the same basic raw materials (vegetable oil or animal fat), methanol is used to manufacture FAME biodiesel rather than hydrogen. The result is that HVO fuel has a chemical composition that’s very similar to fossil diesel and is much easier to store and handle than FAME biodiesel.
In fact, HVO biodiesel complies with EN 15940 standards and the Fuel Quality Directive 2009/30/EC Annex II, which means it’s been approved for use in diesel engines.
How To Store HVO Fuel
If you’re already using fossil diesel, then you very likely already have the infrastructure in place to store or transport HVO fuel.
HVO fuels aren’t too fussy when it comes to the conditions they’re stored under, unlike FAME biodiesel. One of the drawbacks of FAME biodiesel is that it can wax up if it’s stored in cold conditions, which leads to line blockages. It’s also susceptible to oxidation and water absorption, which can lead to problems. For these reasons, storage of FAME diesel can be complex and often you can only safely store FAME diesel between 6-12 months.
By contrast, HVO fuels are not affected by temperature changes and can be stored for significantly longer than FAME diesel, provided you’re diligent about tank maintenance.
HVO Storage Options
So what are your options when it comes to storing HVO fuels? Will you need to rush out and buy a whole new set of equipment if you decide to make the switch to this environmentally friendly fuel?
The great news is that you’ll be able to use your existing storage tanks to securely and responsibly store your HVO fuel! This means that a simple bunded oil tank, made from plastic or steel, is all you need to store HVO fuel. Of course, there are a lot of different types of bunded oil tanks, so you’ll need to ensure you buy one that fits your business needs. Some bunded oil tanks come with electric dispensers and some are built to fire-resistant specifications.
As HVO fuel is compatible with regular diesel, you can simply top-up your storage tank with HVO fuel as you make the switch over. However, as a best practice, and to ensure you maximise the benefits of switching to a sustainable fuel source, it’s always best to drain and clean your tank before you add in your HVO fuel.
Advantages of HVO Fuel
HVO fuels are made from 100% renewable waste materials, typically vegetable oils like rapeseed or sunflower, as well as animal fats. This makes it a very sustainable type of fuel and it should come as no surprise that HVO fuels have been shown to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 90% as well as leading to a significant reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx), particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions.
In comparison to 1st generation biofuels, such as FAME biodiesel, HVO fuels are more stable and consequently, easier to handle and store. They’re cold weatherproof and remain viscous at temperatures as low as -32ºC, which allows plenty of wriggle room even in the coldest of UK winters. At the other end of the temperature scale, HVO fuels have a flashpoint of 61ºC so they’re also very safe in warmer conditions.
HVO fuels are biodegradable and non-toxic, so in the event of an accidental spillage, they’ll cause much less damage to local ecosystems than fossil diesel.
From a practical standpoint, HVO fuels are fully compatible with the existing fuel storage and transportation infrastructure in the UK. That means making the switch is cost-effective and low-effort – both important decision-making factors for British businesses.
Make the Switch
In the quest to reduce our carbon footprint, it can often be confusing to wade through the plethora of information available to us. We all want to do our bit to benefit the environment but sometimes aren’t sure how best to make an impact. Switching to HVO fuels is an easy way of increasing our use of sustainable, renewable fuels without the need for heavy investment into replacing existing equipment.
