Effects of B20 on Emissions and the Performance of a Diesel Particulate Filter in a Light-Duty Diesel Engine

Abstract

This paper compares 20% biodiesel (B20-choice white grease) fuel with baseline ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel on the emissions and performance of a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) and diesel particulate filter (DPF) coupled to a light duty four-cylinder 2.8-l common-rail DI diesel engine. The present paper focuses on the comparison of the fuel effects on loading and active regeneration of the DPF between B20 and ULSD. B20, in general, produces less soot and has lower regeneration temperature, compared with soot loaded with ULSD. NO2 concentrations before the DPF were found to be 6% higher with B20, indicating more availability of NO2 to oxidize the soot. Exhaust speciation of the NO2 availability indicates that the slight increase in NOx from B20 is not the dominant cause for the lower temperature regeneration and faster regeneration rate, but the reactivity of the soot that is in the DPF. Formaldehyde concentrations are found to be higher with B20 during regeneration, due to increased oxygen concentrations in the exhaust stream. Finally, the oil dilution effect due to post injection to actively regenerate the DPF is also investigated using a prototype oil sensor and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) instrumentation. Utilizing an active regeneration strategy accentuates the possibility of fuel oil dilution of the engine oil. The onboard viscosity oil sensor used was in good agreement with the viscosity bench test and FTIR analysis, and provided oil viscosity measurement over the course of the project. The operation with B20 shows significant fuel dilution and needs to be monitored to prevent engine deterioration.