Effects of hydrotreated vegetable oil on emissions of aerosols and gases from light-duty and medium-duty older technology engines

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the potential of hydrotreated vegetable oil renewable diesel (HVORD) as a control strategy to reduce exposure of workers to diesel aerosols and gases. The effects of HVORD on criteria aerosol and gaseous emissions were compared with those of ultralow sulfur diesel (ULSD). The results of comprehensive testing at four steady-state conditions and one transient cycle were used to characterize the aerosol and gaseous emissions from two older technology engines: (1) a naturally aspirated mechanically controlled and (2) a turbocharged electronically controlled engine. Both engines were equipped with diesel oxidation catalytic converters (DOCs). For all test conditions, both engines emitted measurably lower total mass concentrations of diesel aerosols, total carbon, and elemental carbon when HVORD was used in place of ULSD. For all test conditions, the reductions in total mass concentrations were more substantial for the naturally aspirated than for the turbocharged engine. In the case of the naturally aspirated engine, HVORD also favorably affected total surface area of aerosols deposited in the alveolar region of human lungs (TSAADAR) and the total number concentrations of aerosols. In the case of the turbocharged electronically controlled engine, for some of the test conditions HVORD adversely affected the TSAADAR and total number concentrations of aerosols. In the majority of the test cases involving the naturally aspirated mechanically controlled engine, HVORD favorably affected carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX), and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations, but adversely affected NO2 and total hydrocarbon concentrations, while the effects of the fuels on carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations were masked by the effects of DOC. In the case of the turbocharged electronically controlled engine, the CO2, CO, NOX, NO, and total hydrocarbon concentrations were generally lower when HVORD was used in place of ULSD. The effects of the fuels on NO2 concentrations were masked by the more prominent effects of DOC.

Exhaust Emissions and Physicochemical Properties of Hydrotreated Used Cooking Oils in Blends with Diesel Fuel

“…e engine was running smoothly at a steady speed of 1500 RPM, without obvious alteration in noise radiation during operation with ULSD and HUCO blends. is was expected as no malfunctions have been reported so far in the literature even with engines running neat paraffinic fuels [20,33,[38][39][40][41][42] is is naturally attributed to HUCO's higher heating value (Table 1), as also shown in previous studies on similar paraffinic fuels from hydroprocessing [7,30,32,33,39].…”

Hydroxyl radical formation and soluble trace metal content in particulate matter from renewable diesel and ultra low sulfur diesel in at-sea operations of a research vessel

“…To reduce carbon emissions and their effects on global warming and ocean acidification, conversion of marine vessels to fuels derived from renewable (plant-based) sources could be a reasonable alternative to fossil fuelbased diesels, such as ultra-low sulfur diesel or ULSD. Hydrotreating of vegetable oil has been shown to produce a renewable biodiesel (hydrogenation-derived renewable diesel or HDRD; also referred to as hydrogenated vegetable oil or HVO) that is more compatible with many existing diesel engines than other untreated biofuels (Aatola et al 2008;Heikkil€ a et al 2012;Westphal et al 2013;Kim et al 2014;Prokopowicz et al 2015;Bugarski et al 2016). However, there is little information on whether using HDRD instead of ULSD in marine vessels would improve or exacerbate health effects in and near port areas.…”

Lower NOx but higher particle and black carbon emissions from renewable diesel compared to ultra low sulfur diesel in at-sea operations of a research vessel

“…HDRD is produced from vegetable oil and waste fats by a hydro-treating process similar to that used in oil and gas processing. Limited information is available on the influence of HDRD on diesel engine emissions (Aatola et al 2008;Heikkila et al 2012;Westphal et al 2013;Kim et al 2014;Prokopwicz et al 2015;Bugraski et al 2016), with no specific studies on marine applications of diesel engines. HDRD showed improved engine performance and reduction in NO x emissions compared to biodiesels from transesterification (Aatola et al 2008;Westphal et al 2013;Kim et al 2014).…”