Delaware Sales & Service

Biodiesel Fuels with Suntec A/B Pumps

March 11, 2008

Introduction:  Biodiesel fuels are becoming more popular as alternative fuels and as a means to improve the environment.  Based on in-house tests and field tests, compatibility of Suntec products with various biodiesel fuel blends is given below.
 
Suntec Endorsements:  Endorsements of Suntec products for use with biodiesel fuels are only for fuels blended with biodiesels meeting ASTM D6751 and petroleum fuels meeting ASTM D396!  Additionally, such endorsements are only in regards to compatibility of seal materials, wear of mechanical components, etc.  Suntec can only speak to the capability of Suntec products, and offers no opinion regarding the combustion characteristics of B5, B20, etc. in oil burners or appliances manufactured by others.  Suntec’s endorsement of B5 and B20 biofuel use with Suntec products is specific to the integrity, performance and life expectancy of the Suntec product alone, and shall not be construed as a blanket authorization to use biofuel in any other heating equipment.

Warranty:
Suntec can not warranty a product against issues such as tightening of mechanical components due to ‘varnishing” of the fuel.
NOTE:  Some have reported that a one-pipe hook-up, or a two-pipe hook-up in conjunction with a de-aeration device, may reduce “varnishing”.  Frequent equipment starts, including during non-heating periods, may also benefit.

Low Temperature Limitations:  For information on low temperature limitations and tips on improving performance at low temperatures, please see the document “Use of Suntec Fuel Units at Low Temperatures” on the website “suntecpumps.com”.

“B5” Biodiesel Fuels, 5% ASTM D6751 biodiesel and 95% ASTM D396 fuel oil blends, are the current focus of biodiesel marketing efforts in the fuel oil heating industry.  Based on tests with these fuels, Suntec endorsed on May 16, 2006 all model A/B units already in the field for use with B5 biodiesel fuels.  Similarly, on May 15, 2007, all other Suntec products were endorsed for B5 biodiesel fuels.

“B20” Biodiesel Fuels are endorsed for use with Suntec model A/B fuel units, as well as model “C” and model “R” shutoff valves, having date codes of January 1, 2007 or later.  These units have been upgraded with appropriate components compatible with B20.  Although some report successful use of B20 fuels with model A/B pumps date coded prior to January 1, 2007, laboratory tests indicate such installations may unknowingly have minor shaft seal leaks.  Such leaks, of course, do not meet rigid Suntec specifications.  Suntec plans to upgrade PRV oil safety valves for B20 fuels in the future, but there are no immediate plans to similarly upgrade model J fuel units.