Measurement and Standards Requirements for Hydrogen and Biodiesel Used as a Transportation Fuel

This project was funded by a contract of the California Energy Commission with the California Department of Food and Agriculture/Division of Measurement Standards as part of its Clean Transportation Program. This program aims to develop and deploy alternative and renewable fuels and advanced transportation technologies in California to promote the state's climate change and clean air goals and reduce petroleum dependence. This report has three chapters, which address Hydrogen Fuel Quality, Development of Measurement Standards for Gaseous Hydrogen Fuel Sold at retail in California, and the Physical and Chemical Analysis of Biodiesel.

One of the goals of this program is to promote a substantial increase in the number of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in California. Major automobile manufacturers are introducing hydrogen-powered FCEVs. An expansion of the hydrogen refueling infrastructure will be needed to service these cars. New codes and regulations, and approved hydrogen dispensers, are required for the retail sale of hydrogen in California.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture oversees the sale of transportation fuels in California. California Business and Professions Code Division 5, Chapter 14, Sections 13446 and 13450 require the Department to establish and enforce quality specifications for hydrogen fuel and biodiesel, respectively. The sale of hydrogen fuel in California will also require the California Department of Food and to develop specifications and tolerances for commercial hydrogen fuel dispensers. Reference metrology standards are needed for field testing and type evaluation of these dispensers, as required by state law.

A second goal of the program is to increase the use of biodiesel in California to improve air quality and reduce dependence on petroleum products. Existing standards and specifications support the sale of biodiesel in blends up to 20 percent, as well as 100 percent biodiesel. This project was designed to produce data to support new specifications and test methods for quality to cover the range between 20 and 100 percent.

The CEC provided funding for the development of standards and specifications for hydrogen dispensers, hydrogen fuel, and biodiesel. The results described in this report will be shared with consensus standards development organizations and other stakeholders.