At Oilfast, we always strive to give our customers as much information as possible to make the best decisions. The more you know, the easier the decision is.
If you require fuel, you may be considering using HVO fuel. As an increasingly popular fuel choice, especially in Europe and the UK, we have decided to explain hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and find out more about the product.
What is HVO fuel?
Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil or HVO is a biofuel made from waste, such as animal fat or processed vegetable oils. They use a specialist method of hydrotreatment to turn it into a biofuel. Due to how it’s made, HVO is classed as renewable diesel and renowned for having a longer shelf life than other biodiesels.
How is HVO manufactured?
HVO uses a specialist hydro-processing treatment to process the fatty acids, such as cooking, animal fat or vegetable oils, and some algae or jatropha.
The acids then go through hydrotreatment. At this stage, hydrogen is introduced to the process to make paraffin and cycloalkanes out of the unsaturated compounds. These less reactive and more stable compounds then undergo hydrocracking or isomerisation, which heightens the quality of the fuels.
What’s the difference between HVO fuel & other diesel fuels?
HVO is different to other diesel fuels. Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil is an eco-friendly alternative to other traditional types of diesel. HVO fuels have been reported to reduce carbon monoxide and dioxide straight from the initial usage.
Some experts have highlighted that the HVO process gives it an advantage over other biofuels, as it is not subject to the 7% blend rule when blended for diesel which more conventional biofuels are subject to. Thanks to its hydro-processing treatment, it’s also potentially more stable than unmodified oil.
Benfits of using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil?
As with most things in life, there are positives and negatives to using this new diesel alternative.
- Up to 90% reduction in net CO2 emissions: an immediate reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions
- Renewable, sustainable and 100% biodegradable: made from certified waste, our HVO is ISCC & RFAS approved, ensuring both sustainability and product integrity
- Reduces notifiable particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in exhaust systems with no after-treatment (abatement): improved air quality
- Drop-in replacement for regular diesel & gas oil: meets EN15940 standard for paraffinic fuels, ASTM D975 and the Fuel Quality Directive 2009/30/EC Annex II. A wide range of OEM approvals means it can often be used without needing engine and machinery modification
- Excellent cold-weather performance: higher cetane number (up to 90) and low cloud point provides better starting performance, clean combustion and less chance of waxing in extreme temperatures
- High flashpoint: improved safety, storage and handling compared to regular diesel
- Reduced need for regular testing: impurities are removed during the production process, eliminating the key factors for fuel degradation and increasing shelf life to around 10 years
- Low upfront cost to switch: most cost-effective solution compared to EV/hydrogen as no infrastructure changes needed
Overall, HVO offers a high performance, eco-friendly alternative to fuelling your business.
Contact Oilfast on 03302 320 104 for all your fuelling needs.