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Rethink Your Fuel
Renewable Liquid Fuels for Cat® Generators
What are Renewable Liquid Fuels?
Biodiesel and HVO are biofuels produced from renewable resources such as vegetable oils, including soybean oil, canola oil, and palm oil, as well as used cooking oils and animal fats. While the resources may vary globally, finished fuel specifications are independent of the feedstock.
What is the Difference Between Biodiesel and HVO Fuel?
HVO and biodiesel are the two main renewable liquid fuels readily available for end users, but they have several differences:
| Biodiesel (FAME) | Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) (Renewable Diesel) | |
| Source | Vegetable oils and fats | Vegetable oils and fats |
| Process | Transesterification | Hydrotreating |
| Chemistry |  |
 |
| Product | Oxygenated, ester | Non-oxygenated, paraffin |
| Replacement for diesel? | Yes, with some cautions | Yes |
| Specifications | ASTM D6751, EN 14214, Cat Spec | EN 15940 |
- Note that hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO)/renewable diesel (RD) is per diesel fuel specifications except for density. HVO has lower density than diesel fuels.
- Biodiesel and HVO are sourced from the same feedstocks but differ in the processing and in the final product chemistry.
- HVO can be used in both standby and prime applications, whereas biodiesel is better suited to prime applications.
- Both fuels can be used “neat” or blended with conventional diesel to various percentages. Refer to Cat® publications and/or your Cat dealer for acceptable blend levels.
What are the Benefits of HVO?
- Running generators on HVO provides similar performance to running on diesel including similar rated power output, transient response, start-up time, and NOx emissions.
- HVO fuel is a drop-in replacement for diesel.
- HVO has a long shelf life and can be stored in hot and cold conditions.
- Although HVO does not significantly reduce CO2 emissions at the tailpipe, switching to HVO will reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel.
- Lower visible smoke emissions when using biofuels.
- HVO is available now and is easy to switch to.
What are the Benefits of Biodiesel?
- Running generators on biodiesel provides similar performance to running on diesel.
- Lower visible smoke emissions when using biodiesel.
- Although biodiesel does not significantly reduce CO2 emissions at the tailpipe, switching to biodiesel will reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel.
- Biodiesel is widely available and is easy to switch to.
In the News
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Interested in finding out the difference of running on HVO instead of diesel fuel? Click on any of the white papers below.
Considerations for Use of Renewable Liquid Fuels
Application
Performance
Availability
Affordability
Maintenance
There is a difference in applicability of biodiesel and HVO for prime and standby power:
| Power | Biodiesel | HVO |
| Prime, Continuous | Blend levels per Caterpillar guidance | Any blend level with diesel |
| Standby | B5 Maximum blend level | Any blend level with diesel |
The differences in applicability of biodiesel and HVO in standby power applications are due to the nature of the fuels. Biodiesel can age with storage and degrade in quality as it ages. As such, it does not support use in standby power applications and, particularly emergency generator applications.
Specifications & Standards
Biodiesel is registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is legal for use at any blend level in both highway and nonroad diesel engines. In the U.S., the applicable blending specification for B100 is ASTM D6751. B20 blend specifications in the US are ASTM D7467.
European fuel standard EN 14214 ensures that biodiesel is suitable for even the most modern engines. EN 16709 describes B20 and B30 biodiesel blends.
HVO fuels must be per EU 15940 specification. HVO fuels also satisfy the diesel fuels specifications ASTM D975 and EN 590, except for density.
Only purchase biodiesel and HVO fuels from reputable dealers selling commercial grade biodiesel.
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