The objective of this demonstration programme was to gather reliable technical and economic information to enable the development of a European biodiesel industry. The activities included technical validation in pre industrial units of new processes in transesterification and experiments on different monitored fleets. The activities were linked to the concepts of generating added value on a national basis, as well as reducing energy dependency. In the case of biodiesel, these are not simple objectives due to the high cost of production and use of fossil fuel in farming and processing of rapeseed. Hence, analysis extended to the wider economic impacts, as well as considerations of the net energy balance.

This project shall demonstrate the technical and economical feasibility of producing diesel fuel from indigenous oil crops (Biodiesel) and its introduction into the energy market. The environmental effects of the entire production chain will be studied in detail. A European strategy for implementing this technology at large scale will be designed. The project is oriented according to six main axes:

a) Standardization: A set of physico-chemical standard parameters will be worked out mutually as the technical basis for a European standard proposal on:

- Rapeseed oil methylester (RME)
- RME blended at different ratios with fossil diesel fuel
- Natural rapeseed oil, as final quality for specially adopted engines.

b) Byproducts: Demo issues for glycerine in animal feed and synthetic chemistry.

c) Engine test: will be run with pure RME and different blends of RME and diesel fuel on test bench, dynamometer chassis and in large field test, covering modern engine types as well as special constructions and all major fields of application (transport in general, public and private).

d) European Strategy: Defining the systematic approach for large-scale production of biodiesel, including necessary political and industrial action:

- At CAP level as far as setaside land for energy is concerned/new market for agriculture.
- Decision on taxes, duties and incentives (C02, Sulphur, etc.) implementation of the agricultural and industrial production capacities.

e) Environment: Protecting the environment (against pollutants, exhaust gas, greenhouse effect) is of key importance in the development of the biofuel system. Therefore studies will be carried out to assess and minimize the impact on the environment caused by agricultural production, industrial processing and the use of such products.

f) Pre-industrial demonstration: elaboration of pre-industrial transesterification units in various environments and according to different processes. The comparison of final results will allow to define the optimal processes to be used for large-scale implementation.
The impact of the production and use of rapeseed oil and other esters was assessed through the whole lifecycle of agricultural production and industrial processing, including impact of utilisation, handling and storage, as well as in terms of emissions (CO2, SO2, smoke intensity, etc).

The key question related to the feasibility of putting biodiesel production units into operation. This question was approached on the basis of results of micro economic studies at specified sites, a selection and comparison of various technologies, preparation of invitations to tender for pre industrial units and definition of support programmes, as well as a macro economic study of the biofuel industry drafting different possible scenarios in which different scales of infrastructure were applied. In general, the main deciding factors were political.
The final reports from several Demonstration projects were presented to National Representatives and others at a symposium held in Paris in March 1996. Reports included that from the European Economic Interest Group (EEIG), known as EUROBIODIESEL, which, when set up, brought together French, German and Italian partners, who were joined in April 1992 by an Irish partner. It was clear that technical problems had been overcome; the main barriers to rapid expansion were economic or customer acceptance; and limits to production areas linked to agreements on animal feed. Where market conditions were favourable, expansion in production was occurring, with the fuel being used in its own right as a diesel substitute, as a blend with diesel or in heating boilers.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

The additional benefits which could be recognised included: reduced dependency on other (imported) protein rich feeds; continued agricultural production on set-aside land; positive impact on the environment (fossil carbon dioxide abatement); and some evidence for decreased pollution in terms of emission quality from engines running on biodiesel.

ACTIONS

In more detail, the actions undertaken covered specifications for vegetable oil based biofuels in terms of both pure rape oil for adapted engines, as well as for pure esters, on the basis of action already implemented and being financed by Germany. In addition, specifications were drawn up for mixtures of gas oil and methyl esters. Compatibility studies for different materials with esters, as well as toxicity and biodegradability studies, were also completed.

BY-PRODUCTS

Product price remains a key issue, which, apart from agricultural subsidies and/or tax concessions, is dependent on the marketing and handling of by-products. Studies relating to this crucial area included valorisation of glycerin in animal feeds (dealt with in France) and studies of new industrial applications for glycerin depending on its purity.

ENGINE TESTS

Engine tests were carried out, both on optimised motors and in the form of long term tests on different types of standard vehicles, including low temperature tests (to 20 degrees C), tests on target captive fleets (public transport, maritime and river transport), emission tests with catalytic converters and investigation of public acceptance.