By Jenni Gritti Probst | Posted October 24, 2024

In today's world, there is an increasing emphasis to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, renewable fuels have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuels. These lower-carbon intensity fuels*, derived from renewable resources such as harvested (agricultural) crops, used cooking oil, animal fat, biomass, and algae, offer a lower-carbon footprint when considering their life cycle, making them a preferred option for consumers. Among the array of renewable fuels, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) stands out as a high-quality alternative for diesel engines.

What is HVO?

Also called renewable diesel, HVO is produced through hydrotreating. This intricate process involves the removal of impurities and the saturation of unsaturated hydrocarbons, resulting in a fuel with properties akin to petroleum-based diesel. Derived from fats and oils, HVO is a renewable alternative to conventional diesel.

HVO shares similarities in its chemistry and performance specifications with other renewable fuels, such as Biomass-to-Liquid (BTL) and Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) fuels. These fuels, including HVO, are typically paraffinic hydrocarbons, enabling them to be used as drop-in replacements for diesel fuel. This characteristic makes them highly versatile and compatible with existing diesel engines and infrastructure.
 

What are the benefits of HVO?

The adoption of lower-carbon intensity fuels like HVO offers several advantages. Firstly, HVO, derived from renewable sources, contributes to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, HVO can be formulated to deliver exceptional performance even in low-temperature conditions, ensuring reliable operation across diverse environments.

Is HVO compatible with my Perkins engine?

To ensure the compatibility and performance of HVO in diesel engines, adherence to relevant specifications is crucial. Perkins recommends that renewable and lower-carbon intensity fuels meet standards such as EN15940, ASTM D975, or EN 590 when using HVO with our engines. These specifications define quality requirements and ensure that fuels like HVO meet the necessary performance criteria for use in diesel engines. Please consult your operations and maintenance manual for more information about HVO compatibility. 
 

Considerations when using HVO

Although HVO offers numerous benefits, its adoption may come with certain considerations. Due to its lower density, HVO may result in a slight reduction in engine power output, particularly at full load, along with a minor increase in fuel consumption. However, it is compatible with advanced aftertreatment technologies such as diesel particulate filters (DPF), diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC), and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, ensuring compliance with stringent emission standards. As for maintenance and storage, HVO can be stored in the same tanks used for diesel fuel and has a similar aging life. It is compatible with engine oils and elastomeric materials used in modern engines, although compatibility with older engine components may vary.

To discover how Perkins engines are evolving to meet the needs of the future, please contact your local distributor or visit www.perkins.com/advancedpower to learn more.

* Greenhouse gas emissions at the tailpipe are essentially the same as with traditional fuels.