Effects of Biodiesel Fuelling on Diesel Particulate Matter

• Main Author: Ketterer, Justin
• Other Authors: Wallace, James S.
• Language: en_ca
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: Biodiesel; Biofuels; Particulate Matter; Diesel; Diesel Particulate Filter; Microstructure; Regeneration; 0548
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1807/25725

Diesel particulate matter (PM) produced from Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), Soy-derived B20 and Animal fat-derived B20 was collected at two engine operating conditions. Gravimetric analysis showed the PM emissions to depend on both fuel and engine operating condition. B20 fuels exhibited higher PM emissions at low load conditions, but lower PM emissions under high load conditions. The differences between the operating conditions were less significant for B20 fuels than for ULSD. Elemental Carbon analysis revealed the B20 PM to contain greater proportions of organic carbon, which may improve diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration. Finally, TEM images showed considerable differences between ULSD and B20 soot at low engine loads. The B20 soot displayed a more disordered arrangement of graphene layers. At higher loads, the differences are subtle, but the B20 PM still displayed a more amorphous structure. There was little difference between the Soy and Animal fat-derived B20 soot.