The ASTM Biodiesel Task Force will be working on a B100 standard for home heating oil in the next semester, according to Steve Howell, chairman of the ASTM Biodiesel Task Force, who reported on the group’s activities during the ASTM Subcommittee D02.E (Diesel Fuel) Meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., U.S.A. on 22 June 2015.

ASTM International recently released an update to ASTM D396 Standard Specification for Fuel Oils, which included the B6-B20 biodiesel blends for home heating oil.

The task force will also undertake to modify ASTM D7371, Standard Test Method for Determination of Biodiesel (Fatty Acid Methyl Esters) Content in Diesel Fuel Oil Using Mid Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR-PLS Method), as this test method cannot differentiate between biodiesel and raw vegetable oil in diesel fuel, he said.

Howell discussed several large projects being undertaken by the biodiesel community, including a study on high-pressure common rail fuel system and biodiesel stability.  The research project will look at several biodiesel blends. Another big project is a study on B20’s effect on diesel exhaust aftertreatment systems.

In the marine fuel spec area, he said that the first round of balloting to revise ISO 8217 has been completed. The revision will allow up to 7% biodiesel in middle distillate marine fuels. The target date to complete this revision is end of 2016.