FPR BIODIESEL USERS GROUP

Membership Agreement

Today’s Date:

 

This form represents an agreement between the FPR Biodiesel Users Group and the fleet member (“you”).  Your email, phone, and address are for FPR Biodiesel Users Group only and will not be shared or released to anyone else.

 

Name:                                                                          Member #:                              

 

Mailing Address:                                                                                                          

 

Phone:                                                  Email:                                                              

 

Biodiesel Use: B20                   B100               Other (Specify):                      

 

Estimated Annual Use: B20                   B100                Other                          

 

Primary Fuel Supplier:                                                                                      

 

Vehicles, Vessels or Equipment using Biodiesel or Biodiesel Blends:

Make:                                      Model:                                     Year:                           

Make:                                      Model:                                     Year:                           

Make:                                      Model:                                     Year:                           

Make:                                      Model:                                     Year:                           

 (Continue on separate sheet if necessary)

                                                                                                                                               

You can also read this form on our website:

www.footprintrecycling.com

 

This agreement (and all terms mentioned herein) applies only to the above mentioned parties and supersedes any previous version.  It is the responsibility of the member to read all of the following information before purchasing biodiesel and biodiesel blend fuels.  Please contact us if you have any questions.

 

I. Member Owned Organization: The FPR Biodiesel Users Group is a member organization.  Each member has a share in the organization and is entitled to all the rights and benefits of membership including but not limited to: the right to purchase fuel that is renewable, the right to lower emissions, and the right to be informed on local biodiesel issues.  There is no cost of membership; however, donations defray mailings and operating cost.

 

II. Biodiesel: Quality of the fuel is very important to all of us.  Purchase only 100% Biodiesel manufactured to ASTM D-6751 standards.

 

III. Member Responsibility and Disclosure: It is the member’s responsibility to provide the fuel vendors with any requested information regarding the performance of biodiesel or any issues that the member observes while using the fuel.  This information is critical to allow the fuel vendor to complete the required quarterly reports to the CA Department of Measurement Standards.

 

IV. Precautions and Disclaimers: The following are facts concerning biodiesel and its usage.  You as a user must be aware of and responsible for the qualities of biodiesel fuel:

1. Engine Warrantee: The use of biodiesel and biodiesel blends has not been approved by all engine manufacturers.  Your use of the fuel may affect your warrantee, therefore you should check your owner’s manual or with your engine manufacturer before using biodiesel blends over B5 (5% biodiesel blended with 95% diesel).  Be aware of this issue and use the fuel according to your own judgment.

2. Developmental Fuels: Biodiesel (B100) and biodiesel blends over B5 that do not meet ASTM D-975 petroleum specifications are sold as developmental fuels in California.  As such, the fuel vendor and users must comply with the CA Business and Professions Code (Chapter 14, Section 13405) and the CA Department of Measurement Standards regulations.  For reference see www.cdfa.ca.gov/dms/pdfs/PetroleumRegs.pdf

3. Solvent Properties: Biodiesel, in addition to being a fuel, is an effective solvent and will act accordingly.  This means that:

                a. Biodiesel will dissolve existing solids—created through usage of petroleum diesel—in your vehicle’s fuel system.  These solids will clog your vehicle’s fuel filter.  When this happens depends upon many factors but can be recognized by the following symptoms: power loss, engine sputtering, difficulty starting, and poor fuel economy.  When you notice these symptoms, you will have to replace your vehicle’s fuel filter (possibly more than once depending upon the amount of petroleum solids in the fuel system).  FPR Biodiesel Users Group recommends keeping at least one spare fuel filter on hand at all times.  Clogging of fuel filters also occurs with old fuel storage containers that contained petroleum diesel.  When dealing with such large fuel tanks, fuel filters may have to be changed many times and cleaning of the tank before biodiesel usage may be a more suitable alternative. 

                b. Biodiesel will, over time, dissolve most types of paint.  For this reason, FPR Biodiesel Users Group recommends keeping a clean, soft, dry rag on hand when fueling to gently wipe off any spillage.  When the rag becomes soaked with biodiesel, put it in a dark, closed storage container to await proper disposal.  Do not leave fuel-soaked rags crumpled up in the sun.  Under such conditions, the rags are prone to spontaneous combustion due to oxidation and the heat generated during that process.

                c. Biodiesel will degrade rubber components in older vehicles’ fuel systems faster than petroleum diesel.  These components include some hoses, seals, and o-rings.  Most diesel vehicles made after 1993 use synthetic components, reducing this problem.  Please contact the manufacturer for answers on specific parts.  Should your rubber components need replacement, we recommend Viton substitutes.

                4. Cold Weather Properties: Depending on its feedstock, biodiesel can gel at temperatures as warm as 40-degrees Fahrenheit or higher without added anti-gel.  Footprint Recycling uses Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO) as its primary feedstock (vegetable oil-based biodiesel has a lower gel temperature than biodiesel made from animal fats or any combination of animal fats and vegetable oil), and Footprint Recycling climatizes its biodiesel to further reduce the gel temperature to meet most regional temperature fluctuations.  However, if you operate in cold weather, take precautions to prevent gelling which can include blending with petroleum or the use of cold weather treatments.  This is especially recommended for vehicles with electronically-controlled, highly-sensitive fuel injection systems such as those found in Volkswagen TDIs and Chevrolet / GMC Duramaxes. 

                5. Vehicle Emissions and Performance: Because every engine is different, Footprint Recycling makes no claims about the emissions or performance when burning biodiesel fuel.  Biodiesel will not have the same effects in every vehicle.  Because the BTU value of biodiesel is slightly less than that of petroleum diesel, a small loss of power and fuel economy is to be expected.  However, biodiesel has a higher Cetane number and higher lubricity than petroleum diesel (especially compared to CA’s Ultra-Low Sulfur diesel) mitigating the lower BTU content.

                6. Biodiesel Storage Etiquette: Biodiesel should not be stored more than six (6) months without topping off or cycling.  Biodiesel can oxidize when exposed to air and light for extended periods of time resulting in a “rancid” fuel that can have negative effects on your vehicle’s performance.  Biodiesel needs to be stored properly in a dark container away from air and water.  Use a filter with a water separator.  Like petroleum diesel, biodiesel can attract bugs and biological contamination.  The potential for contamination should be taken very seriously, and guarding against it is the member’s responsibility.  Large fuel containers must be vented properly.  Regarding rust and age issues of storage containers, see section IV.3(a) above.

7. Fuel Additives: Biodiesel, in this document, is defined as 100% biodiesel (B100), and biodiesel blends are identified by the blend concentration.  For example: B20 contains 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel.  If you would like to use an additive in your fuel, for whatever reason, we recommend you contact your fuel supplier so they can share with you the benefit of their experience.  If you plan on blending biodiesel with petroleum diesel, remember: the better quality the diesel, the better the blend.  Environmentally, if you must blend with petroleum diesel, use D-975 specification fuel and try to only use Low or Ultra-Low Sulfur diesel.