WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. -- New quality specifications for biodiesel blends have been published by ASTM International -- one of the largest standards development organizations in the world.

Biodiesel producers, petroleum companies, engine companies, vehicle manufacturers, pipeline operators, fleets and consumers will benefit from the new biodiesel blend specifications, says the firm, using them for fuel preparation, quality checking, engine design, and bid and purchasing contracts.

The new biodiesel blend specifications include:

-- ASTM D975-08a, Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils: Used for on- and off-road diesel applications; revised to include requirements for up to 5 percent biodiesel.

-- ASTM D7467-08, Specification for Diesel Fuel Oil, Biodiesel Blend (B6 to 20): A completely new specification that covers finished fuel blends of between 6 (B6) and 20 (B20) percent biodiesel for on- and off-road diesel engine use.

The biodiesel industry has lacked consensus on blend standards

ASTM International also approved some updates to the existing ASTM standard for biodiesel, ASTM D6751, which is designed to control pure biodiesel (B100) product quality prior to blending with conventional diesel fuel.

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

"The new ASTM standards for biodiesel blends are the result of years of negotiation between the various parties at ASTM and years of research on how the properties of biodiesel blends affect engine performance," explained Bob McCormick, principal engineer on Fuels Performance at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

This research was jointly supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Biodiesel Board under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement.

The official publication of the new biodiesel blend specifications is welcome news to engine manufacturers, who have been requesting a finished blend specification for B20 biodiesel blends for several years.