Formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and regulated emissions from biodiesel and n-butanol blends containing water

Abstract

To increase the use of biofuels in diesel engines and reduce harmful emissions emitted from diesel fuel, biodiesel and higher alcohols are fuel sources at the forefront of research. The aim of this study is to understand the effect of water-containing n-butanol-biodiesel blends on regulated emissions, emphasizing nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are harmful for the environment and engine durability. 10% n-butanol (B90Bu10) and 10% n-butanol-1% water (B89Bu10W1) were blended with 89% waste-oil biodiesel and tested in a diesel engine at four engine loads at a constant engine speed. PAH samples were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results showed B100, B90Bu10 and B89Bu10W1 blends increased break specific fuel consumption (BSFC), exhaust gas temperatures (EGT), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions. However, NO_x emissions significantly decreased using butanol and butanol-water blends. Compared to diesel, biodiesel and blended fuels significantly reduced total PAHs and PAH toxicity up to 75.0%. However, B89Bu10W1 increased total PAH and PAH toxicity by 35.7%. Overall, the biodiesel-butanol blend, which emits less carcinogenic pollutants and low-cyclic PAHs than water-containing fuel, was found to reduce the risk of wetstacking in diesel engines operating under low loads.

Keywords: Diesel engine; Higher alcohol; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Renewable fuel; Toxicity.