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Conclusion
Properly designed and operated commercial condensing B100-fired boilers offer the opportunity to use renewable-energy sources instead of traditional fossil fuels, such as natural gas and heating oil. Alternate liquid fuels, including biodiesel, can enable building owners to achieve sustainable energy performance with low emissions, making an entire system more energy and environmentally friendly. With these systems, proper fuel handling and storage practices must be followed carefully, but these issues are well within the capability of most building-management operators. Finally, the transition to renewable energy can help create new manufacturing jobs.

Thomas A. Butcher, PhD, is a researcher and head of the energy-resources division at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), where he has worked for 30 years. He received a bachelor's degree in marine engineering at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, a master's degree at Stevens Institute, and a doctorate at SUNY Stony Brook. A researcher at BNL, Chris Brown is a graduate of Clarkson University. The director of engineering for the new-product-development group of The Fulton Cos., James Pettiford has 15 years of experience in the design and development of advanced commercial and industrial boilers. He is a chartered engineer with the Energy Institute in the United Kingdom and holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Surrey and a master's degree from the University of the West of England, Bristol. The commercial heating product manager for The Fulton Cos., Erin Sperry is responsible for modular hydronic heating products and has experience in applications engineering for the design and installation of commercial heating systems. She has a degree in mechanical engineering and management from Clarkson University.

Did you find this article useful? Send comments and suggestions to Associate Editor Megan White at megan.white@penton.com.

Biodiesel Basics

Biodiesel is a clean-burning fuel derived from renewable resources. It is made through a chemical process called transesterification, during which glycerin is separated from animal fat or vegetable oil (Figure 2).

Biodiesel can be used to replace or supplement petroleum-based heating oil and diesel fuel. It can be blended with petroleum fuels and stored without significant changes to traditional industry practices, except for the maintenance of certain minimum tank temperatures. In the United States, biodiesel typically is produced in accordance with the requirements of ASTM D6751, Standard Specification for Biodiesel Fuel Blend Stock (B100) for Middle Distillate Fuels.