Anyone using Propel HPR fuel in their Diesel?

https://propelfuels.com/our_fuels?active=diesel

Thanks for the great feedback guys. My 6.6 LML Duramax runs great and I'm very happy with the performance and the effectiveness of the LML emissions systems. I just thought that if I could eliminate the use of a petroleum product...I'd have the perfect set up. However, I'm a little leery about it and don't want to risk any chance of damage to my motor down the road.
For now, I think I'll just watch and see.

The stuff is actually a rebranded Neste product.

https://www.neste.com/sites/default/files/attachments/neste_renewable_diesel_handbook.pdf

From time to time I will run it, out of convenience for the most part (local and cheap) and have no issues. Couldn't tell if the truck ran any different but I think it might smoke a bit less. One thing to keep in mind is the stuff is dry and needs additives to bring up the lubrication...similar issue we have with ULSD. Also, I recall reading somewhere that the energy density is about 90% of petroleum based and will result in slightly less mileage.

Below is an e-mail that is floating around the forums with a response from Bosch from a fueling system perspective. Basically they have no internal testing and based on other information sources, they have little concern using it in a blend. They do appear to have concerns (seems to be primarily due to lack of data) regarding it's usage @ 100%.


"Dear xxxx,



I have spoken with our fuels experts here in the US and the Bosch position is as follows:



· The ‘Diesel HPR’ is a brand name Propel Fuels Inc. has coined for the NESTE Oil Hydroprocessed seed oil (mainly palm oil) product they call NExBTL. https://www.neste.com/na/en



· This is nearly a 100% paraffinic hydrocarbon material. it has some nice qualities (high Cetane Number, good stability characteristics, virtually no aromatics, et al) but also some significant deviations (lower density, potential cold flow waxing characteristics, et al) relative to conventional Diesel fuel which Bosch products are released for.



· The statement that the fuel meets the ASTM D975 petroleum diesel specification is not completely accurate. They meet most of the specification, but not all of the specification.



· When blended with conventional Diesel we see little concern (even perhaps at blends up to 30 or 50%) because paraffinic hydrocarbons are naturally part of refined petroleum Diesel fuel.



· Bosch does however have some concerns regarding lubricity and its responsiveness to common lubricity improver additives. Refer to notes in the NESTE website regarding lubricity.



Bottom-line: Paraffinic hydroprocessed seed oils (like ‘HPR’) hold promise as supplement to the Diesel pool as blends. Bosch does have concerns for use as a neat fuel (100% blend) and without sufficient validation testing, Bosch cannot guarantee there will not be any performance or reliability issues with our fuel injection systems.


Best Regards,

Ilidio Serra



Robert Bosch LLC
Manager, Technical Service Support (AA/SNA9.2)
2800 S. 25th Avenue - Broadview, IL 60155 USA
Bosch worldwide"
"

Sam Spade wrote:

darsben1 wrote:

SO it is made from recycled fats and oils but is not biodiesel.
This does not pass my sniff test

What, it still smells like french fries ????

Sorry, I agree.

Look for some independent tests before jumping in.

Wild marketing claims are always suspect.

Smells like BS.
But what really gets me is I read the company site further and get this blurb

Renewable

While Diesel HPR does not contain biodiesel, it is made from similar renewable biomass sources including recycled fats and oils. Refined from renewable biomass through advanced hydrotreating technology, Diesel HPR meets the toughest specifications required by automotive and engine manufacturers, enabling the fuel to be used by any diesel vehicle.

SO it is made from biomass including recycled fats and oils but is not biodiesel?

darsben1 wrote:

SO it is made from recycled fats and oils but is not biodiesel.
This does not pass my sniff test

What, it still smells like french fries ????

Sorry, I agree.

Look for some independent tests before jumping in.

Wild marketing claims are always suspect.

Federal government definition of biodiesel

Biodiesel
Biodiesel is diesel fuel made from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant greases. It's safe, biodegradable, and produces less air pollutants than petroleum-based diesel.
Biodiesel can be used in its pure form (B100) or blended with petroleum diesel. Common blends include B2 (2% biodiesel), B5, and B20.
Most automakers approve blends up to B5. Some approve blends up to B20. Check with your owner’s manual or automaker to determine the right blend for your vehicle. Using the wrong blend could damage your engine and/or void the manufacturer's warranty.


http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/biodiesel.shtml

HPR WEBSITE STATES;

Diesel HPR is a premium fuel engineered to maximize clean diesel engine performance. Diesel HPR meets the ASTM D975 diesel specification (ULSD) for use in all diesel engines. Refined from recycled fats & oils, Diesel HPR outperforms both petroleum diesel and biodiesel in performance, emissions and value. Diesel HPR does not contain biodiesel.

SO it is made from recycled fats and oils but is not biodiesel.
This does not pass my sniff test

Interesting, the fuel is said to meet all ASTM standard for diesel fuel. It also says it isn't biodiesel, but it's made from recycled cooking oil. So it actually is a type of biodiesel, just not the traditional type. Wonder how much it costs?

The injectors, fuel pumps, etc. on a diesel are way too expensive to be playing with snake oil!