HVO is short for hydrogenated or hydro-treated vegetable oil. It is a new synthetic diesel used by several businesses in numerous industries due to its abundance of advantages.
Additionally, compared to ordinary mineral diesel, it is friendlier to engines and the environment. HVO is becoming a more popular alternative to traditional fuels worldwide.
It is important to note that HVO is not the same as biodiesel, which is made in a different process and has a different chemical composition.
HVO is frequently referred to as HEFA, Hydro-processed Esters and Fatty Acids, or renewable diesel.
HVO can be utilised as a drop-in fuel to replace traditional fossil fuel diesel for vehicles without requiring any engine modifications because of its characteristics similar to diesel and its similar storage stability.
The fact that HVO fuel is environmentally friendly is one of the main reasons that many major fuel companies, like Beesley Fuels, make sure to offer it to their customers.
Compared to conventional fossil diesel, the fuel’s lifecycle can assist users in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%.
The carbon life cycle is balanced when the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during combustion equals the amount previously absorbed by the renewable source material.
The use of HVO fuel improves air quality in major cities and minimises local heavy-duty traffic-related pollution.
It may be mixed or blended with other existing fuels, and the gasoline supplies the car with extra power, ensuring clean and efficient combustion and high performance.
Here are some facts you need to know about HVO Fuel:
How is HVO fuel produced?
HVO fuel can be made from discarded cooking and frying oils, various vegetable oils, and animal fats from meat and fish companies.
HVO fuel can be manufactured by hydro-treating materials that are entirely renewable. As a result, these crops minimise the amount of “new” carbon emitted into the atmosphere while preventing environmental harm.
The production involves a two-step process known as hydro-treatment and isomerisation. Hydro-treatment involves saturating feedstock with hydrogen at temperatures of over 300 degrees Celsius.
Isomerisation occurs when the feedstock is cracked to remove any impurities from the fuel. As a result, the fuel is constant, of excellent quality, and free of impurities or esters, preventing performance issues during use and storage.
HVO is produced uniquely, making it resistant to diesel bug attacks and allowing it to be left in place for long periods.
Uses of HVO fuel
HVO has a lot of diverse uses, and it is appropriate for a variety of sectors. It is currently marketed as a diesel substitute and works with most machinery.
Due to its long shelf life, HVO is an excellent fuel for backup diesel generators. As a kerosene replacement, HVO is also appropriate.
The fuel is being tested in the UK to offer heating and cooking in domestic and non-domestic locations even though it is not yet commercially available.
The distinction between HVO and FAME
Some people mistake HVO for biodiesel or FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester). Their key variations can be found in their chemistries, cold weather, and storage capabilities.
Because biodiesel and fossil diesel have different chemical make-ups, they cannot be used interchangeably.
On the other hand, HVO diesel has a chemical structure like fossil fuels. Due to their chemical similarity, renewable diesel and fossil diesel can be combined in any ratio and used in all diesel engines.
HVO gasoline has a higher cetane number than FAME. A cetane number indicates the ignition quality. Additionally, it indicates how effectively an engine starts in cold climates and helps to promote cleaner, more effective combustion.
The engine starts more smoothly the higher the cetane number. While biodiesel has a cetane rating of 50-60, most renewable diesel has a cetane rating exceeding 70.
Storage specifications for HVO
There are no HVO biodiesel-specific rules in the UK. HVO adheres to the same rules as conventional oils even though it is safer than mineral diesel or kerosene as a non-toxic and biodegradable fuel.
In agreement with the oil storage standards in the UK, it is required for anyone storing fuel in a container with a volume of more than 200 litres.
According to oil storage laws, tanks larger than a specified capacity must include a secondary containment system that can hold at least 110 per cent of the primary tank’s contents.
This measure will stop oil from harming the environment and waterways by catching any spills from the main tank.
How widely used is HVO in the UK?
The EN 15940 standard has made using renewable fuel in large percentages easier in the UK.
A new generation of cleaner transport fuel for road vehicles is governed by the British Standard (BS) EN 15940, a specification for paraffinic diesel fuel.
Wrapping Up
As the world continues to find renewable solutions for many climate change proponents, including excessive fossil fuel consumption, HVO fuel is an alternative to regular diesel worth considering.
