TY - JOUR
T1 - Improving air quality by using biodiesel in generators
AU - Zarling, Darrick D.
AU - Bickel, Kenneth L.
AU - Waytulonis, Robert W.
AU - Sweeney, Joseph R.
PY - 2004
Y1 - 2004
N2 - A biodiesel / petroleum fuel blend and practical low-cost methods of emission control were sought to obtain reductions in emissions from diesel generators. Little direct testing of biodiesel in diesel-powered electric generators has been done. Laboratory and field evaluations were conducted to determine the influence of using biodiesel on diesel exhaust emissions. B20 (20% biodiesel / 80% petroleum diesel) was chosen because of previously successful studies with this blend level, and there is evidence that the NOx emissions increase that result from using B20 can be controlled using existing technology. B85 was selected because it is a "high blend," which promised to give a large decrease in PM at the expense of a larger increase in NOx than B20, but still within the range of control with existing technology. Charge-air cooling and a fuel additive were tested as NOx controls. For PM, CO, and HC reduction, a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) was evaluated. The laboratory tests were conducted on a Cummins ISM heavy-duty engine. Field tests were conducted on a Caterpillar model 3406 B, turbocharged and aftercooled engine. A B20 fuel blend with additional charge air-cooling was evaluated at the field demonstration site. A supplemental cooling circuit was designed and installed to enable a 40°C reduction in the temperature of the intake air charge to the engine. A comparison of NOx, CO, and Total Particulate Matter emissions for D2 at 90°C charge air temperature and B20 at 50°C charge air temperature is a realistic scenario. Average NO x emissions are reduced 15-18 percent, CO is reduced 35-37 percent, and TPM was reduced significantly. The successful field tests demonstrated that a renewable fuel, such as B20, can be effectively used in gensets to achieve significant reductions in NOx and PM when compared to emissions from petroleum D2 fuel that is normally used, with appropriate engine modifications.
AB - A biodiesel / petroleum fuel blend and practical low-cost methods of emission control were sought to obtain reductions in emissions from diesel generators. Little direct testing of biodiesel in diesel-powered electric generators has been done. Laboratory and field evaluations were conducted to determine the influence of using biodiesel on diesel exhaust emissions. B20 (20% biodiesel / 80% petroleum diesel) was chosen because of previously successful studies with this blend level, and there is evidence that the NOx emissions increase that result from using B20 can be controlled using existing technology. B85 was selected because it is a "high blend," which promised to give a large decrease in PM at the expense of a larger increase in NOx than B20, but still within the range of control with existing technology. Charge-air cooling and a fuel additive were tested as NOx controls. For PM, CO, and HC reduction, a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) was evaluated. The laboratory tests were conducted on a Cummins ISM heavy-duty engine. Field tests were conducted on a Caterpillar model 3406 B, turbocharged and aftercooled engine. A B20 fuel blend with additional charge air-cooling was evaluated at the field demonstration site. A supplemental cooling circuit was designed and installed to enable a 40°C reduction in the temperature of the intake air charge to the engine. A comparison of NOx, CO, and Total Particulate Matter emissions for D2 at 90°C charge air temperature and B20 at 50°C charge air temperature is a realistic scenario. Average NO x emissions are reduced 15-18 percent, CO is reduced 35-37 percent, and TPM was reduced significantly. The successful field tests demonstrated that a renewable fuel, such as B20, can be effectively used in gensets to achieve significant reductions in NOx and PM when compared to emissions from petroleum D2 fuel that is normally used, with appropriate engine modifications.
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U2 - 10.4271/2004-01-3032
DO - 10.4271/2004-01-3032
M3 - Conference article
AN - SCOPUS:85072417215
SN - 0148-7191
JO - SAE Technical Papers
JF - SAE Technical Papers
T2 - Powertrain and Fluid Systems Conference and Exhibition
Y2 - 25 October 2004 through 28 October 2004
ER -