The following is an exerpt from Oregon's Measurement Standards Division's summary of current biodiesel standards. Concerns that you have about labeling and dispensing at any one facility should be directed to them. Some of the labeling and standards seem to leave, to my mind, much to be desired. Gerald is correct about Portland, and keep in mind that the mandate dictates that highway diesel in Oregon be at least 5% biodiesel; so any one pump could be more than 5%. The exception would be so-called "blending dispensers" where the fuel is blended at the point of sale - they cannot blend to more than 20%. It's a hassle to have to "shop" blends as well as prices now; you may not know when you drive in exactly what blend a station has until you get to the pump and scan for the little label. That needs to change.
-Joel
Further info. can also be found here: http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/MSD/renewable_fuel_standard.shtml
Biodiesel fuel specifications
Biodiesel (B100), biodiesel intended for blending (B99), biodiesel blends, and petroleum diesel must meet the following ASTM International specifications:
1. Petroleum diesel must meet the requirements of ASTM D 975, Standard Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils.
2. The biodiesel blend stock (B100 or B99) mus
a. Meet the requirements of ASTM D 6751, Standard Specification for Biodiesel Fuel (B100) Blend Stock for Distillate Fuels.
b. Have a Certificate of Analysis for each batch or production lot produced in or after importation into Oregon prior to blending, sale, or offer for sale. The Certificate of Analysis is required to document that, at a minimum, the biodiesel was tested and complied with all of the following specifications:
i. Flash point (ASTM D 93)
ii. Acid number (ASTM D 664)
iii. Cloud point (ASTM D 2500)
iv. Water and sediment (ASTM D 2709)
v. Visual appearance (ASTM D 4176)
vi. Free glycerin (ASTM D 6584)
vii. Total glycerin (ASTM D 6584)
viii. Oxidation stability (EN 14112 as per ASTM D 6751)
ix. Sulfur (ASTM D 5453 or ASTM D 7039).
c. Have a Certification of Feedstock origination describing the percent of the biodiesel’s feedstock grown or produced within the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana and that produced outside of the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana.
3. Biodiesel may be blended with diesel fuel whose sulfur, lubricity, or aromatic levels are outside specification ASTM D 975, Standard Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils, grades 1-D S15, 1-D S500, 2-D S15, or 2-D S5000, provided the finished product mixture meets pertinent national and local specifications and requirements for these properties.
Biodiesel fuel dispensers ("pumps")
The dispenser or “pump” used to deliver biodiesel and its blends is required to be
a legal-for-trade, National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) approved (verified with a Certificate of Conformance) dispenser designed for petroleum No. 2 diesel fuel,
correctly calibrated with the actual blend of biodiesel being dispensed, and
licensed through the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), Measurement Standards Division (MSD).
Unless clearly indicated otherwise on the NTEP CC, an NTEP approved diesel dispenser is only approved to a maximum 20% biodiesel blend (B20 Biodiesel Blend).
IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: “Blending” dispensers are dispensers that take two different grades of motor fuel and are capable of forming a third intermediate grade inside of the dispenser at the time of sale.
A blending dispenser used for the blending of biodiesel must be NTEP approved as a blending dispenser for that particular product, and the product’s blend percentage must not exceed that allowed by the NTEP CC. As with any commercial measuring device, check with the device manufacturer if you have any questions regarding the proper usage of the device.
Identification of biodiesel
Biodiesel and biodiesel blends must be identified by the capital letter “B” followed by the numerical value representing the volume percentage of biodiesel in the blend. For example, “B10”, “B20”, “B99”, “B100”.
Biodiesel fuel delivery documentation
An invoice, bill of lading, shipping paper, or other documentation, must accompany each delivery of fuel other than a sale by a retail or nonretail dealer (e.g. cardlock) to a consumer.
The delivery documentation is required to state the actual volume percent biodiesel in the fuel. For example, “B2 Biodiesel Blend”, “B5 Biodiesel Blend”, "B20 Biodiesel Blend”, etc., for the specific volume percent of biodiesel in that particular delivery of fuel.
For biodiesel blends up to and including 5 volume percent, the delivery documentation must state the amount of biodiesel in the blend to the nearest 1.0 volume percent.
For biodiesel blends greater than 5 volume percent up to and including 20 volume percent, the delivery documentation must state the amount of biodiesel in the blend to the nearest 2.0 volume percent.
Labeling of biodiesel dispensers
The required labeling of biodiesel dispensers depends upon the volume percent of biodiesel in the fuel. If labeling is required, it must be located on the upper half of the dispenser’s front panels in a position that is clear and conspicuous from the driver’s position and in type that is at least 1/2 inch in height and 1/16 inch in stroke (width of type). The requirements are as follows:
Biodiesel blends of 5% or less. No additional biodiesel labeling is required. However, if a dispenser is labeled with any reference to biodiesel and the fuel contains 5% or less biodiesel, then it must be labeled, “5% Or Less Biodiesel Blend”.
Biodiesel blends of more than 5% but not more than 20%. The dispensers must be labeled in one of three ways:
1. The capital letter “B” followed by the numerical value representing the volume percentage of biodiesel fuel and ending with the phrase, “Biodiesel Blend”. For example, “B10 Biodiesel Blend”, “B20 Biodisel Blend”, etc.; or
2. The phrase, “Biodiesel Blend Between 5% and 20%” or similar words; or
3. With the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approved label [Reference 16 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 306.12 and Appendix A]. The FTC label has a header statement in the top and a text statement in the lower portion. These labels are a specific size and have a blue (PMS 277 or equivalent) background. All type and borders are process black and all colors must be non-fade. These labels are somewhat similar in appearance to a typical octane sticker on a gasoline pump.
These labels are available in two versions.
1. One with the header that states the specific volume percent of biodiesel in the blend. For example, “B20 Biodiesel Blend”. With this label, the fuel must contain the actual amount of biodiesel stated.
2. The other with the header that states simply, “Biodiesel Blend”. With this label, the fuel may contain between 5% through 20% biodiesel in the blend.
The text statement in the lower portion of both versions is the same and reads as follows; “contains biomass-based diesel or biodiesel in quantities between 5 percent and 20 percent”.
Biodiesel blends more than 20%. The dispensers must be labeled with the volume percent of biodiesel in the blend. The label must display the capital letter “B” followed by the numerical value of representing the volume percent of biodiesel in the blend and ending with the phrase, “Biodiesel Blend” or “Biodiesel”, whichever is appropriate. For example, “B30 Biodiesel Blend”, “B60 Biodiesel Blend”, “B99.9 Biodiesel Blend”, “B100 Biodiesel”, etc.
