Abstract
Keywords: biodiesel, engine, exhaust emission, RME, vehicle
There is a growing interest in the use of biofuels (biodiesel and gasoline-alcohol blends) in European Union countries according to Directive 2003/30/EC requirements and due to necessary reduction of CO2 anthropogenic emissions. European Commission has accepted the target of a 20% replacement of conventional fuels by alternative fuels (biofuels, CNG and hydrogen) in road transportation sector by 2020.
The paper evaluates the possibility of using the different biodiesel blends (mixture of diesel fuel and Fatty Acid Methyl Esters) in modern Euro 4/ Euro 5 direct-injection, common-rail, turbocharged, light-duty diesel engines. Influence of different quantity of RME in biodiesel blends (B5, B20, B30, B50) on the emission measurement of gaseous pollutants, such as: carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate matter (PM) for light-duty-vehicle (LDV) during NEDC cycle on the chassis dynamometer were analysed. All test results have been presented in comparison to standard diesel fuel.
The performed measurements and analysis show capability of modern light-duty European diesel engines for fuelling with low, medium and high percentage of RME in biodiesel fuel without bigger problems. Exhaust emissions are affected by the proportion of RME in biodiesel due to different chemical and physical properties of fuel blends.
The results obtained on the chassis dynamometer during NEDC cycle showed a significant reduction in total particulate mass: 5% for B5, 10% for B20 and B50 and 21% for B30. The CO emissions during NEDC cycle were decreased by 10% for B5, no changed for B20, increased by 6% for B30 and by 57% for B50. The HC emissions were decreased by 11% for B5, 8% for B20 and 3% for B30, but increased by 55% for B50. The NOx emissions were increased by 6-9% for all tested biodiesel blends.
The tests subject to analyses presented above have been performed in the Engine Research Department of the BOSMAL Automotive Research and Development Centre in Bielsko- Biala, Poland within the test program evaluating the biofuel influence on light-duty diesel engines for passenger cars and light-commercial vehicles.