Effects of low concentration biodiesel blend application on modern passenger cars. Part 1: feedstock impact on regulated pollutants, fuel consumption and particle emissions

Environ Pollut. 2010 May;158(5):1451-60. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2009.12.033. Epub 2010 Jan 18.

Abstract

Five biodiesels from different feedstocks (rapeseed, soy, sunflower, palm, and used fried oils) blended with diesel at 10% vol. ratio (B10), were tested on a Euro 3 common-rail passenger car. Limited effects (-2% to +4%) were observed on CO(2) emissions. CO and HC emissions increased between 10% and 25% on average, except at high speed - high power where emissions were too low to draw conclusions. NOx emissions increased by up to 20% for two out of the five blends, decreased by up to 15% for two other blends, and remained unchanged for one blend. Particulate matter (PM) was reduced for all blends by up to 25% and the reductions were positively correlated with the extent of biodiesel saturation. PM reductions are associated with consistent reductions in non-volatile particle number. A variable behaviour in particle number is observed when volatile particles are also accounted.

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants / analysis*
  • Automobiles*
  • Biofuels / analysis*
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Environmental Pollution / prevention & control
  • Particulate Matter / analysis*

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Biofuels
  • Particulate Matter