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Technical guideFree to read2021

Renewable and Alternative Fuels For Use in Diesel Engines

Caterpillar · Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar LEXE20433-01 (2021) is a short guidance note on using paraffinic renewable fuels (HVO/renewable diesel, GTL, BTL) as drop-in replacements for diesel in Cat engines. It sets these apart from FAME biodiesel.

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Overview

The note lists the fuel specifications Caterpillar accepts: EN 15940 (preferred), ASTM D975, EN 590 (except density) or the Cat Diesel Fuel Specification (except density). The fuels may be used at 100% (HVO100, RD100, GTL100) or in any blend with diesel and/or biodiesel.

Practical impacts are grouped under power, aftertreatment, filters and oil, elastomers, storage, warranty and emissions certification. Because of low density, up to a 5% power reduction may be seen at 100%. The fuels are compatible with DPF, DOC and SCR aftertreatment and with Tier 4/Stage V engines, with no engine conversion needed.

They can be stored in the same tanks as diesel with similar ageing life, and warranty and EPA certification are unaffected when the specifications are met. The one caution concerns old engines: some elastomers in engines built before the early 1990s may not be compatible.

Key points

  1. Accepted specs: EN 15940 (preferred), ASTM D975, EN 590 or Cat specification (density excepted).
  2. Usable at 100% or in any blend with diesel and/or biodiesel.
  3. Up to 5% power reduction may occur at 100% because of low density.
  4. Compatible with DPF, DOC, SCR and Tier 4/Stage V engines; no conversion needed.
  5. Stored in diesel tanks with similar ageing; warranty and EPA certification unaffected if specs are met.
  6. Some elastomers in engines built before the early 1990s may be incompatible.

Using it in design

  • Give the fuel module a fuel-type choice: diesel (EN 590/ASTM D975), HVO (EN 15940) or blend.
  • With HVO selected, apply up to a 5% conservative kW derate unless manufacturer data says otherwise.
  • Leave tank sizing logic unchanged except for a density and energy-content adjustment in runtime calculation.
  • Flag legacy pre-1990s engines for elastomer review.

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Who should read it

Designers and facility operators considering HVO or other paraffinic fuels for standby generators.

Related standards

  • EN 15940
  • EN 590
  • ASTM D975

Publication details

Authors
Caterpillar Inc.
Publisher
Caterpillar
Year
2021
Document number
LEXE20433-01
Document language
English
Source type
Manufacturer
Access
Free to read
Licence
Copyright retained; citation only — the publisher’s terms apply to the original document

Citation

Caterpillar Inc. (2021). Renewable and Alternative Fuels For Use in Diesel Engines. Caterpillar. LEXE20433-01. https://www.finning.com/content/dam/finning/en_gb/Documents/Industries/ElectricPower/cat-white-papers-march-2024/Renewable%20and%20Alternative%20Fuels%20For%20Use%20in%20Diesel%20Engines%20(LEXE20433-01).pdf

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