How HVO fast-tracks you to more sustainability
That’s HVO
How much CO2 can you save?
Find out how many tons of CO2 you can avoid by filling your mtu engines with HVO.
What the others are doing with HVO:
Whether you're talking about an emergency generator set in a data center, or the engines powering dump trucks, trains, and ships – all of them can be operated almost climate-neutrally with HVO. Customers from all over the world are showing that this is both easy and safe.
“HVO is gentle on the engine”
Why HVO makes a difference
“HVO is our ‘first choice’ fuel for new installations”
HVO is good for mtu engines
“HVO fuel is entirely compatible with diesel engines because it is very similar in its chemical composition and is therefore a drop-in replacement for the fossil fuel.” That's not just a claim from fuel manufacturers' websites. It's the conclusion drawn by Rolls-Royce engineers who scrutinize mtu engines after they have run for many thousands of hours on HVO.
Thanks to HVO: decarbonization with existing equipment
With HVO, companies can support their decarbonization goals without having to invest in new equipment. But is it really that simple? Mats Hultman, Head of OEM Partnerships at fuel manufacturer Neste, and Michael Stipa, Vice President Strategy, Business and Product Development Stationary Generation at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, explain.
Why HVO is better than FAME
Although both FAME and HVO can be made from biomass organic matter and are therefore renewable and intended to replace fossil fuels, they exhibit clear differences:
- Chemically speaking, biodiesel is a Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) obtained through the transesterification of vegetable oil using methanol. The properties and quality of FAME biodiesel strongly depend on the raw materials used. HVO on the other hand is obtained in a hydro-treating process without the use of oxygen. The result is consistent quality, irrespective of raw materials.
- In its chemical composition, HVO is similar to fossil diesel fuel. That makes it suitable for direct use in all diesel engines, either in pure form or mixed with fossil diesel fuel. Biodiesel on the other hand is different in composition and if it is to be used in a diesel engine without making modifications, it can only be mixed with the fossil diesel fuel.
- Compared to FAME, HVO can be stored over longer periods without any risk of its properties changing. Since it does not absorb water, the quality of HVO is not compromised in any way as long as it is correctly handled and stored.
- Unlike biodiesel, the properties of HVO likewise remain unaffected by extremely low temperatures.
- Diesel engines running on HVO generate considerably lower nitrogen oxide emissions than with FAME.
- Unlike FAME, when HVO is used, the lubricating oil does not need to be regularly checked and adjusted in addition to existing maintenance.
Which mtu engines can be operated with HVO?
FAQ – The most important questions and answers
HVO = Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil follows the EN15940 / ASTM D975 fuel standard and is classified as paraffinic fuel.
Paraffinic fuel is a hydrocarbon fuel similar to diesel fuel. Paraffinic diesel fuel has a high cetane number, no sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen nor aromatics. It can be produced with various processes e.g. from hydrogenated vegetable oils (HVO) from different biogenic sources, such as mainly wastes and residues and various vegetable oils.
The European norm EN15940 is a technical regulation. This regulation describes the quality requirements and test procedures methods for paraffinic fuels. Currently the norm considers CtL (Coal-to-Liquid), GtL (Gas-to-Liquid), BtL (Biomass-to-Liquid), HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) and PtL (Powert-to-Liquid), all fuels are chemical and physical similar. The decisive difference is the production process and the used feedstock. CtL and GtL are normally derived from fossil feedstock with low CO2 reduction potential, BtL, HVO and PtL are derived from sustainable feedstock.
To guarantee an ensured availability of our assets Rolls-Royce Power System limited the EN15940 specification regarding Cetan-number (CN) and Lubricity HFRR at 60°C (µm). Interested parties and customers please note Rolls-Royce Power Systems’ respective Fluids & Lubricants Specifications.
What are the differences between HVO and fossil Diesel? Unlike fossil diesel, HVO consists only of saturated linear and branched hydrocarbon chains. HVO is free of aromatics and sulfur. This different chemical composition compared with fossil diesel is the reason for its low density and high ignition capability.
Yes, HVO can be blended in any ratio with fossil diesel or used pure (HVO 100). . The variable blending option with fossil diesel fuel eases the integration.