Is the Coast Guard's future green?

In an effort by the Coast Guard to address the problem of unabated fossil fuel consumption and harmful emissions, a team of Coast Guard cadets are working on the second phase of a project studying the feasibility of Coast Guard vessels operating on biodiesel fuel.

A 41-foot utility boat, nicknamed "soy boat," has been outfitted with twin engines fed by separate fuel tanks that cadets will use to run a side-by-side comparison of biodiesel to regular diesel. One of the engines will run on a B20 blend of biodiesel fuel--consisting of 20 percent soy oil to 80 percent traditional diesel. Researchers have found that soy-based oil, a renewable resource, generally behaves better in cold weather when compared to most other forms of biodiesel fuels and is therefore the preferred choice of a non-petroleum-based product for all-weather use.

For five mechanical engineering majors--First Class Cadets Rebecca Lenberg, Richard Szoka, Ryan Hawn, Michael Adams, and Steven Van Derlaske--being selected to pursue this senior capstone project is a chance to be part of cutting-edge, emerging technologies.

"This is probably the first full-scale study of biodiesel in a marine environment," said Dr. John Bausch, a mechanical engineering professor and principal advisor for the cadets' biodiesel project.

Down in a lab at MacAllister Hall, home of the Academy's Engineering department, are eight marked glass jars. Cadet Szoka says each jar will contain a biodiesel sample that will be observed.

The cadets' project is a collaboration between the Coast Guard Office of Naval engineering environmental division, Coast Guard Academy mechanical engineering section and the Coast Guard Academy waterfront division, who are all actively participating in evaluating biodiesel as a viable fuel source for the Coast Guard.

"We're looking forward to working with cadets in this cutting--edge project," said BM2 Michael McLeod. "We've got the oldest 41-foot boat in the fleet and it's pretty exciting to use this as the prototype."

Last year, during the first phase of the project, cadets at the Academy began the process to determine if biodiesel could be an alternative fuel source by using an old generator from a decommissioned 82-foot patrol boat. They ran load and performance tests on the fuel and brought the Coast Guard up to speed on various aspects of the fuel.

This year, cadets are moving into the second of three phases of the biodiesel project.

An important aspect of phase two is the experimental test plan that will include autonomous monitoring of such things as fuel pressure, fuel filter differential, horsepower, and engine rpms. To collect this information, a data system and sensors will be installed on board the soy boat.

The third and final phase will include a limited and controlled use of biodiesel by select Coast Guard working units.

The Coast Guard bagen exploring the viability of biodiesel as an alternative fuel source in 2000. An indepth "paper study" conducted by the Coast Guard Engineering Logistics Center was presented by environmental engineer Hari Bindal. The paper confirmed that, with further research and testing, biodiesel might be a suitable alternative fuel for the Coast Guard fleet.

Cadets became involved soon after that study. Cadet Michael Adams immediately was attracted to the project for a variety of reasons.

"Other [senior capstone] projects were not quite as concrete, and the ball was already rolling here," Adams said. "Funds were set aside, there was interest from the chain of command, and we had a test platform."

"Now that the project's underway, I've learned more about the real need for alternative fuel sources," said Adams. "It would be awesome to help lead the Coast Guard through uncharted waters, and perhaps even be the first of our government's agencies to make a real step at 'turning green'."

Biodiesel is the trade name for any common diesel fuel that has been blended with a catalyzed vegetable or animal oil. While it may sound tempting to jump on the "green" bandwagon, the Coast Guard still needs to comply with federal standards, said Lt.j.g. Andy Goshen, environmental division task leader at the Coast Guard office of Naval engineering. Specifically, the service is interested in vegetable-based feedstocks that conform to American Society of Testing specifications.

The Coast Guard is currently focusing on the standard bio variety known as B20, a 20 percent blend.

"The fuel [blend] significantly reduces the amount of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon and sulfur emissions that enter the atmosphere," said Lt. Cmdr. Eric Ford, another mechanical engineer instructor here who has a keen interest in the project. "In addition, it has a higher amount of lubricity compared to petroleum diesel, so the time between engine overhauls should decrease."

Biodiesel's an attractive "green" solution because it's clean burning and requires no engine modifications, said Cadet Szoka.

But even though biodiesel shows promise, it must still pass all tests the cadets can throw at it.

"From a technical aspect, there are possible show stoppers that are specifically being monitored during the cadet's project," said Lt. j.g. Goshorn. "There's concern that biodiesel may not perform during the extreme cold conditions of the winter, that the marine environment may negatively impact the fuel's stability, or that the fuel may interact in a negative manner with the utility boat's gasket material."

However, a cold snap in New England posed the perfect opportunity for cadets to address the issue of biodiesel's effectiveness in cold weather. "This is the first of two sets of data we'll be gathering for this experiment," said Dr. John Bausch. "The cadets only started the second week of January, and we're continuing until the same time next year."

Consequently, the low-tech glass jar samples serve to verify two key issues, according to Dr. Bausch. While it's out in the cold, it will indicate any reaction in cold weather, and secondly, it will demonstrate whether the organic and synthetic combination might separate.

"If this project is successful the Coast Guard will have an immediately available alternative fuel source," said Lt. j.g. Goshorn. "While it would still require a significant amount of petroleum-based diesel, it takes a step in the right direction to reduce petroleum consumption."

All the cadets hope their project will make an impact on the maritime industry and in their personal lives. "It's an intermediate step in that direction," said Cadet Lenberg. She believes the project will develop standards to make biodiesel more commonplace in the industry. She asserted, "There's already strong climate of using biodiesel in the Midwest."

Currently, biodiesel can cost anywhere from 5 cents to 15 cents more than traditional diesel; however, that gap is shrinking every day. And its lubrication properties may help reduce the cost of maintenance, which can offset its higher price. Infrastructure such as pump stations and fuel companies that carry biodiesel continue to grow as well. Currently, biodiesel retailers are commonly found in heavy agriculture areas (like the Midwest where vegetable-based feedstocks are plentiful), but this trend to is starting to change.

For Cadet Szoka, it's exciting to be a part of a project that is historical and career-changing. "Some day the Coast Guard may be using these alternative fuels, and we'll all be able to say we were a part of getting it all started," he said.

For more information about biodiesel fuel, see this link: http://www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodiesel/retailfuelingsites/default.shtm

Story and photos by PA1 Sarah Foster-Snell, U.S. Coast Guard Academy

COPYRIGHT 2005 U.S. Coast Guard
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