Exceptional Fuel Quality

Sirona Fuels has long exceeded ASTM specifications even as they have been recently strengthened. In October 2008, ASTM approved a review and certification of biodiesel products that included technical parameters for three biodiesel blends. Sirona Fuels biodiesel exceeds the pure biodiesel specifications and, when blended with compliant petroleum diesel, exceeds the new blend specifications:

  • ASTM D6751: B100 Biodiesel blend stock specification
  • ASTM D975: Specifications for fuel including up to 5% Biodiesel (B5)
  • ASTM D7467: Specification for blends of between 6 percent Biodiesel (B6) to 20 percent Biodiesel (B20) for on and off road diesel.

The ASTM specifications provide details on requirements for fuel characteristics as well as the relevant standard test methods to use for each. The new biodiesel standards apply to all finished biodiesel blends, regardless of the type of feedstock used to make the fuel.

Sirona Fuels produces "beyond ASTM" fuel -- biodiesel that significantly surpasses all ASTM specifications. Third party Certificates of Analysis that illustrate just how far Sirona exceeds purity requirements and other test measurements can be provided upon request for each batch of fuel produced.

In the same way that Sirona is changing the way biodiesel is produced in terms of feedstock sourcing and offtake contracts, the company is setting a new standard for providing a consistently and continuously available product. As a result, fleet managers and other end users and can confidently introduce biodiesel into their sources of fuel.

Sirona is in the process of obtaining BQ9000 certification, a unique combination of the ASTM standards and a quality systems program that includes storage, sampling, testing, blending, shipping, distribution, and fuel management practices. When it completes this process it will be only the second such certified facility in California.

Clean diesel technology is challenging even hybrid electric vehicles on mileage per gallon measurements with some models getting well over 50 miles per gallon. Over 15 new passenger diesel models will be offered by auto makers in the US in 2009 and there is an increasing acceptance of biodiesel blends by automobile manufacturers.

Biodiesel blends refer to a fuel that is composed of part pure biodiesel and part petroleum diesel. For example, B100 is pure biodiesel and B20 is a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% diesel fuel. All major automakers in America now accept the use of at least B5, and 50 percent already accept the use of B20 blends or higher in at least some of their equipment.  More are expected to do so now that the new ASTM specifications have been issued.