Technical Performance of HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) in Diesel Engines

The objective of this paper is to compile the findings of more than 40 scientific publications and provide information on the technical performance of HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) in diesel engines. Fuel properties, emission performance and engine behavior of HVO is evaluated in comparison to fossil diesel. Based on the studies and large field trials it can be concluded that HVO can be used as a drop-in-fuel and that it has properties beneficial for the engine and the environment. HVO has high cetane number, low density, good lubricity when treated with lubricity additives, bulk modulus comparable to fossil diesel, material compatibility similar to fossil diesel and good cold properties regardless of the feedstock. HVO is capable of reducing regulated and unregulated emissions as well as greenhouse gasses. HVO has beneficial effects to aftertreatment systems. Oil dilution with HVO is not a concern and HVO does not cause incompatibility with lubrication oil. Large field trials have shown that the fuel consumption with HVO is nearly proportional to the volumetric heating value, but in some cases the engine efficiency is slightly improved.