Emissions And Pollution – What’s The Difference?

When considering alternative diesel fuels, it is good to grasp in a simple way the difference between air pollution and carbon emissions from diesel fuel.

In most cases, the words are almost interchangeable but here we set this out in a simple way so that it can be understood better as it can be confusing.

Emissions generally refers to the carbon used in the journey of the diesel fuel before it goes into your fuel tank to be used – is it a fossil or non-fossil fuel?

It can also mean emitted gases like nitrous oxides and PM.

With a GTL (gas-to-liquid) synthetic diesel fuel, the alternative diesel fuel has all the clean burn and high purity consistency that marks synthetic diesel like HVO but, as GTL is made from fossil gas, it is a fossil fuel.

GTL is gaining popularity because it has all the clean engine burn and low air pollution characteristics of HVO but can come in at a cheaper price.

HVO renewable diesel is made entirely from ISCC wastes and residues meaning that it is a fossil-free diesel fuel that cuts net carbon emissions by as much as 90% on the whole journey of the fuel (circular economy).

Pollution refers more to the consequences of combustion in the engine and what comes out of the tailpipe into the atmosphere. The 2 main areas of concern here are:

Particulate Matter

As the term sounds this is particles in smoke and soot, with GTL or HVO fuel this pollution is reduced by 80% making both fantastic for use in city and built-up areas.

Nitrous Oxides

Because there is nitrogen in the atmosphere there will always be these to some extent (even with hydrogen fuelled engines). Using HVO has been proved to reduce NOx by around 25% or more.

Additionally in recent years EN590 mineral diesel must contain 7.25% FAME Biodiesel (hence B7) and this causes a lot of trouble with blocked diesel particulate filters. These very costly problems are avoided by using synthetic diesel due to its consistency and lack of oxygen that can attract water; you can store synthetic diesel for as long as 10 years.

Do synthetic diesels offer better fuel economy?

In our research they do for stop-start delivery around towns but not for long motorway journeys where fossil diesel seems to have the edge. This may be because it is denser; it is one of the odd things about HVO – that it is lighter than water.

If you would like to know more about how to reduce both carbon emissions and air pollution by simply changing your fuel why not get in touch? Send an email to: oil@lubiq.uk

HVO Heating Oil

Hydrotreated vegetable oil is a clean-burning biomass-derived fuel that cuts air pollution and varnish deposits on boiler burners when used in heating applications.

Using HVO heating oil allows you to cut net carbon emissions by up to 90% and particulate matter (PM) air pollution by 40% or more with virtually no changes to tanks, pipes, or boilers. It is generally thought that no more than £500 would cover alterations to existing boilers.

Cuts Air Pollution

The reduction in air pollution from using this heating oil containing almost no sulphur is because it is synthetic with high consistency that avoids many of the combustion shortcomings of fossil kerosene.

An exciting heating fuel product that is made in the UK, HVO is popular as a renewable diesel fuel in road vehicles and, along with our RenHeat fuel, holds great potential as a liquid heating fuel.

Easier To Access Than Ever

Made from waste oils, fish or wood wastes and tall pitch oils, HVO fuel has the advantage of being available in a widespread way via local fuel oil companies or from ourselves.

LubiQ supply HVO heating oil in small quantities as low as a 10-litre jerrycan as well as 20-litre, pallets, IBCs, and larger quantities of 500 to 38,000 litres.

You can purchase HVO on this link. Or please call us to discuss on 01324 309100.

Renewable Fuel Options

Our RenHeat industrial furnace fuel is also a fully renewable product (made from wastes and residues) and an ultra-clean burning fuel that is lower in cost than HVO. This is a good choice for domestic heat or factory boilers.

We can only deliver RenHeat in quantities of 500 – 1000 litres or more. A guide price for RenHeat bio heating oil would be around £1.60 + VAT per litre. The calorific value of this renewable fuel is as follows:

Specific Energy (Calorific Value), MJ/L of this HHO and IHO fuel:

Gross – 38.17
Net – 35.
Datasheet Download Link

Get in touch at oil@lubiq.uk to discuss your needs further and we will be glad to assist.

HVO Diesel Fuel For Van Fleets

HVO Diesel For Van Fleets

HVO, or Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, is a renewable diesel fuel made from vegetable oils or animal fats through a process called hydrotreatment. It is a sustainable alternative to traditional diesel fuel and has several benefits for use in vans and other diesel-powered vehicles.

Here are some key points to consider about HVO diesel for vans:

Renewable and Sustainable

HVO is derived from renewable sources such as used cooking oils and waste animal fats. This makes it a more environmentally friendly option compared to fossil fuels because it reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Engine Compatibility

HVO can be used in existing diesel engines without any modifications. Vans can run on HVO without the need for engine adjustments or changes to the fuel system.

Cleaner Combustion

HVO diesel has lower emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and sulphur compared to traditional diesel. This greatly improves air quality and is a meaningful cut in pollution.

Reduced Maintenance

HVO has excellent burning properties, which preserve injectors and diesel particulate filters for longer engine life and lower maintenance costs for van owners.

Energy Density

HVO has a similar energy density to conventional diesel, so it provides similar power and range for vans and other vehicles. It is at its best around town where the smoother driving can really be felt.

Cold Weather Performance

HVO has good cold weather performance and can flow at lower temperatures than other biofuels, making it suitable for use in cold climates and stable for storage.

Availability

This varies by location, and it may not be as readily available as traditional diesel in some areas. However, its availability is increasing as more companies use renewable diesel and we can provide compact diesel dispenser tanks or even mobile fuelling straight into your vehicles.

Price

The cost of HVO diesel is around 25% more than fossil diesel fuel

Environmental Regulations

Many countries and regions have implemented policies and regulations to encourage the use of renewable fuels like HVO fuel for cars to reduce carbon emissions from transportation.

HVO diesel is a promising option for reducing the environmental impact of vans and other diesel-powered vehicles while maintaining compatibility and performance. If you are considering using HVO in your van fleet please drop us an email to: oil@lubiq.uk

Can You Mix HVO And Diesel?

Yes, you can as HVO fuel is miscible with fossil diesel meaning you can mix this HVO in any proportion with normal diesel fuel for vehicles or plant. As a point of interest, hydrotreated vegetable oil is quite light and more like paraffin or kerosene with much less odour than DERV.

Easy And Practical To Use

The fact that you can mix HVO and diesel makes this synthetic diesel a very practical option as no changes are required to engines, pumps, or fuel tanks, just fill up and away you go. The easy manner of handling this fuel means storage tanks do not need flushing, and indeed, it is more sustainable because it allows diesel vehicles to be kept for longer.

Due to the relative rarity of forecourts that sell HVO at the pump it can be a worry if you have a diesel dispenser tank at your yard, fill up with HVO and then do a long journey; if you run low on fuel, how can you top up?

The solution for now – because you can mix fossil diesel and HVO – you should top up with normal DERV for the return journey, you can then put HVO in on top of what is left in your fuel tank.

XTL Nomenclature And EN 15940 Specification

The fuel flaps on many cars and vans show an XTL logo which means the vehicle is ready for HVO. This logo means gas-to-liquid and is the accepted European/UK logo for paraffinic synthetic diesel as HVO or GTL made to the BS EN 15940 specification.

At the few forecourts that currently supply HVO you will find the XTL logo used on the pumps.

Outstanding Eco Benefits

Renewable diesel allows any diesel vehicle to achieve more than an 80% cut in net greenhouse gas emissions and an 80% reduction in particulate matter emissions straight away (as tested by MTU). The SCR catalyst and DPF are hardly needed anymore. The sustainable credentials of HVO mean that existing diesel vehicles can become eco-friendly and the premature change to battery vehicles avoided as other options are reviewed.

Short distance and stop-start city driving is more pleasurable with HVO fuel offering a smoother power delivery in lower gears and pulling off from a halted position. There have been documented cases in London of heavy trucks gaining more miles-per-gallon using HVO for delivery runs

HVO Diesel

Also known as XTL, green, or renewable diesel, HVO diesel is a remarkable synthetic alternative diesel fuel for vehicles or boats and it is likely to emerge as a significant home heating oil fuel in the next few years. HVO can be mixed with normal diesel as it is entirely miscible with it.

What Is HVO Diesel?

This is a paraffinic fuel made from 100% waste materials like cooking oils or fats that undergo a process of hydro-cracking and refining to yield hydrotreated vegetable oil (the full name for HVO diesel).

As well as being green, due to the use of waste feedstocks, HVO burns exceptionally cleanly with much less smoke, soot, smell, or NOx emissions; the net green house gas emissions cut of a car, generator, or oil-fired home heating boiler using HVO can be as high as 90%.

Is HVO Diesel Easy To Get?

In short no, it is not particularly. Many bulk fuel suppliers do stock HVO diesel, and there are a a lot of truck fleets, construction site equipment, and farms using HVO, but it is rare at forecourts at the moment although UK Fuels truck stops are expanding the availability to around 50 sites.

That’s why we supply HVO in 10 and 20 litre jerrycans, IBC pallets or for bulk delivery.

PLEASE SEE OUR RANGE ON THIS LINK

At the moment HVO diesel is taxed just like fossil diesel for road vehicles (even though its not easy to get for your family car until now!). This may change if the UK government, which is stopping installation of kerosene fired boilers by 2025, comes up with a way for HVO home heating fuel to be exempt in some way.

Will My Car, Van Or Boat Run On HVO?

Yes this type of diesel fuel is a direct drop in alternative to DERV which can also be mixed with standard diesel you will likely get a couple more miles per gallon also!

Many OEMS and engine brands like DAF, Volvo Penta marine engines, and Audi have indicated there are no issues with using HVO diesel.

You are dramatically reducing emissions without any need to modify engines or fuel system; for oil fired home heating boilers it is slightly different, but estimates of needing to spend around £500 are not prohibitive.

What Is The HVO Price Vs Diesel ?

Looking for the all important HVO price vs diesel price? It is more expensive at the moment at around £1.70 to £3.00 + VAT per litre due to limited infrastructure and supply.

We expect that folks looking for an HVO fuel price comparison will soon be pleased to observe lower prices as this becomes a more popular fuel across rural homes, industry, delivery vans, and family cars.

There is now more capacity for the hydrotreating process being installed and upgraded in the USA, Holland, and Singapore with key companies like Neste, Eni and Phillips 66; the last is an oil major that are actually making HVO diesel on Humberside now.

Download an Eni HVO Diesel Data Sheet

Is HVO Diesel Different To FAME Biodiesel?

Yes, it is. FAME Biodiesel has been in production for some years and uses the same feedstocks as HVO but a less advanced and rigorous process; biodiesel tends to suffer from growing algae in longer term storage and poor performance in cold conditions.

HVO is what is termed a ‘second generation’ biofuel and is a 100% renewable diesel fuel; there are other exciting developments also in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) which was recently trialled in RAF jets!

Can I Store HVO Diesel For Long Periods?

Yes, it is a very consistent and stable fuel that can be stored for up to 10 years with only minimal need for fuel polishing. It also has outstanding cold weather performance being useable at minus 20 degrees Celsius; it is a popular fuel in Nordic countries, where a major producer of HVO is also based.

HVO Fuel

Where To Buy HVO Fuel

We were faced with the problem of where to buy HVO fuel and found that it is by no means easy to get hold of this renewable diesel to enjoy the benefits of lower air pollution and smoother power delivery.

This was the background to our company LubiQ Fuels coming up supplying HVO fuel in 10 and 25 litres jerry cans, fuel pallets of 205 litres (45 gallons) IBCs, and bulk drops of 500 litres or more.

Our growing family-run business now offers HVO fuel deliveries all over the UK – including same-day delivery – with over 85% made within 48 hours of order. Call us on 01324 309100 to place your order today.

Delivered To Your Door

At LubiQ Fuels we supply from a jerrycan of HVO diesel delivered to a laboratory, households, or building sites, to a full 38,000 litre tanker load of HVO or more.

BUY HVO FUEL ON THIS LINK

Our HVO fuel meets the EN15940 standard for paraffinic fuels as a direct alternative to mineral diesel and you can also mix it with standard diesel fuel. This synthetic fuel burns much cleaner with low soot and more than 20% less NOx emissions, you will also reduce AdBlue usage by approximately 20%.

Why not check out our diesel dispenser tanks if you need one for your yard?

If you are wondering where to buy HVO fuel, then please give us a try; it is so easy to use in any existing diesel engine boat or vehicle and yet you are doing your bit to reach net zero faster. You will immediately notice smoother driving due to the high purity and consistency of the diesel.

Check out this video to see how cleanly HVO burns:

How Can HVO Fuel Help Me?

In a word by burning cleaner and being made from waste products and thus being the circular economy in action. HVO diesel fuel is a great solution for plant hire, garden machinery, forklifts, 4×4’s, civil engineering, farmers, and the public searching for where to buy HVO fuel for cars, vans, ride-on mowers, or tractors.

The letters HVO stand for: ‘hydrotreated vegetable oil’ and this is a renewable paraffinic diesel and industrial heating fuel that is made from waste fats, used cooking and vegetable oils.

Sporting a high cetane number, low odour, and exceptional storage stability, this fuel is a very high quality, FAME free, and fossil free renewable diesel with smooth power delivery and less fuel filter blockages in plant, on-road vehicles, or generators.

You can mix HVO fuel with standard diesel in any proportion and as it is made from 100% waste feedstocks, there is a net 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, less nitrous oxides, low odour, and none of the storage issues of FAME biodiesel; in fact, you can safely store it for up to 10 years.

HVO stand for: ‘hydrotreated vegetable oil’ a paraffinic fossil-free renewable diesel that is made from waste fats, cooking oils, and wood wastes. It is the circular economy in action with real premium diesel benefits!

Alternative Diesel Fuel

A practical alternative diesel fuel with increasing availability, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is both technically and environmentally superior to fossil diesel although it costs more per litre. You can simply fill up a diesel vehicle with HVO or even mix it will normal diesel fuel.

CAT has interesting research and information on its use with their C175 engine on this link.

How Is It A Premium Product Then?

In a word because this is a synthetic diesel fuel. The molecule sizes and patterns in the fuel are consistent with high purity as opposed to the variations and higher sulphur found in natural crude oil feedstock.

The proof is in the pudding with MTU asserting following trials with this alternative diesel fuel that it burns so cleanly that it cuts diesel particulate matter by as much as 80% without loss of power.

Problems like the diesel bug, blocked fuel filters or DPF filters simply disappear when the alternative diesel fuel is used and HVO is kinder to the engine as well as greatly reducing air pollution.

What About Green House Gas Emissions Claims?

The claim that ‘net carbon emissions’ are cut by up to 90% is because hydrotreated vegetable oil is manufactured from waste oils, rendered fats, and residues.

It is a factual statement as this is the circular economy in action, but it should be understood that this claim does not refer to the tail pipe emissions.

Typical feedstocks used by refiners and blenders like Neste, Valero or Phillips 66 to make renewable diesel include used cooking oils, wood waste, and animal fats. The density and low odour of HVO is more like a kerosene or paraffin fuel but it can be mixed with standard diesel in any proportion.

Highly practical as an alternative for both end users and for refineries, HVO is being produced at petrochemical complexes in the UK using cracker towers that previously used crude oil!

Can You Feel The Difference When Driving?

Yes, you can feel smoother power delivery in a manual gear box car or van when pulling off from stationary.

As this alternative diesel fuel is lower density than DERV there is a slight reduction in miles-per-gallon performance on long haul trips but an improvement around town on stop-start delivery runs.

Download CAT Report On Renewable Diesel

Does HVO Cost More And Where Can I Buy It?

Yes, it does cost more than standard white diesel fuel. At present only a very few forecourts sell renewable diesel at the pump. We deliver to your door in jerrycans or arrange bulk supply or fuel tanks for your fleet.

What Are The Fuel Standards For Diesel Fuels?

For standard mineral diesel it is BS EN 590 which includes 7.25% FAME biodiesel in the UK, for paraffinic renewable diesel the standard is BS EN 15940; for comparison how they burn please see this video:

Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil

Hydrotreated vegetable oil or HVO is a fossil-free diesel fuel made by hydrogenation of used cooking oils, lipids, and fats into a synthetic fuel with properties like mineral diesel.

The expanding availability of HVO fuel in 2024 – it is a practical example of the circular economy in action – means it is good to look more into what hydrotreated vegetable oil is along with the oil majors that now produce it. These include Phillips 66, Valero, Eni, Chevron, Neste, Marathon Oil, and Total.

Also known as renewable diesel, hydrotreated vegetable oil is a synthetic alternative diesel fuel made from wastes and residues that are broken right down and then reacted with hydrogen to produce a chemically similar hydrocarbon to mineral diesel.

The molecule chain lengths in HVO are far more consistent than those in fossil diesel with high purity and a much cleaner burn with as much as 80% less particulates given off. This means a more reliable engine and fuel injection and means clogged fuel and DPF filters are unheard of.

A highly practical low emissions diesel fuel, HVO can be mixed with normal diesel in any proportion and used in almost any road vehicle, forklift, ride on mower, generator, boat, or plant. An immediate reduction in air pollution and green house gas emissions without any costly upgrades!

Owing to the absence of oxygen atoms, this fuel offers excellent stability in storge for long periods without growing the diesel bug. It also has a high cetane number and performs very well in winter conditions without clouding and with good flow characteristics.

As it is made from ISCC registered waste products it reduces net carbon emissions by as much as 90% and is a good example of the circular economy in action. There are at least 2 producers of hydrotreated vegetable oil in the UK (Phillips 66 and Port Fuels) as well as several others that import from major refiners like Neste OYJ or Valero, the latter supplies HVO branded as Diamond Green Diesel.

Millions of litres of renewable diesel are in stock in this country with several truck fleets like local authorities in their bin lorries use it all the time. What is not so easy is if you want some for your private car in small quantities, so we have sought to offer this in jerrycans or IBC’s and offer dispenser tanks varying from 210 to 38,000 litres.

As far as we are aware there are about 20 outlets offering this fuel at the pump in the UK at present, (with some truckstops you have to have a UK Fuels card) but given its performance and eco-friendly characteristics we expect this to increase. If you would like to discuss or have a Zoom meeting please call 01324 309100

We have included a useful video below from Chevron which gives some more explanation and context.

Diesel Fuel Tank Solution

Our great value fuel tank with 12 volt pump and 4 metre hose and automatic stop nozzle like a fuel station. Talk to us about this 205 litre (45 gallons) mobile dispenser tank with a 240 litre bunded tray. After a small diesel tank for sale? We have a great range of both mobile and static tanks.

Cost of the package: £1400.00 + VAT – either 12V or 18V cordless battery.

How To Reduce Carbon Emissions

A practical and easy method for how to reduce carbon emissions is to have a look at your fleet of cars, vans, trucks, or excavators and change to using HVO renewable diesel fuel.

Due to being made from ISCC certified wastes and residues which include things like used cooking oil, fish wastes, wood pulp tall oil, hydrotreated vegetable oil offers at least 80% less net carbon emissions when used in diesel engines.

Almost Climate Neutral Yet Zero Hassle

The remarkable fact is that this fossil-free synthetic renewable diesel, which is far superior to FAME biodiesel, is also very easy to use for the following reasons:

Any diesel engine can run on it with no modifications.
You can mix it in any proportion with fossil diesel fuel.

On vehicles from around 20 plate onwards you will likely see an XTL symbol inside the fuel cover flap, this means the manufacturer is declaring its suitability for synthetic diesel fuels.

When pondering how to reduce carbon emissions from your vehicles it is a challenge; is it sustainable, for example, to just trade in perfectly good diesel vans in the fashionable rush for EVs? Well fact is, no, not really!

Difficult Questions For Fleet Managers

Are battery electric vehicles really carbon emissions free when considering the power stations that must run to charge them? Will they leave drivers and even customers stranded or frustrated from lack of charger stations? What is the proven resale value of the EVs?

With renewable diesel you simply change the fuel and put the circular economy into action; an upto 90% cut in net carbon emissions is immediate and fuel quality is hugely superior.

We all know the importance of sustainability in business and HVO can be a huge help without any changes to vehicles or fuel tanks; but there is more to it than just this.

A High Purity Super Diesel

Because green diesel is a synthetic fuel that is man-made, it is designed from the ground up to cut the irregularities found in fossil diesel and has a much higher cetane number for better combustion.

HVO has almost zero sulphur content, very low odour, and ultra clean burn with an astonishing 80% less particulates (soot/smoke) and 20% less NOx going into the exhaust plume. Join firms like mtu who have approved their diesel engines for use with HVO.

As well as realising a cut in carbon emissions you also secure a big reduction in air pollution and smoother running for engines which avoids blocked DPF filters and fuel filters.

The latter difficulties are afflicting plant, vans, and private cars with ominous regularity but with a synthetic diesel all such frustrations just disappear!

Author: Ben Hardwick