An Engine to Reduce Nitrogen Oxide Emissions from Biodiesel

Biodiesel: one of the catch-phrases amongst scientists in recent times has its pros and cons…

While a blend of biodiesel and ordinary diesel can dramatically reduce the emission of particulate matter or soot it can also produce up to 40 percent more nitrogen oxides and fuel economy also goes down by about 20 percent!

The reason?

For the high nitrogen oxide emission is two-fold.

1. The high oxygen content in biodiesel.
2. A recent innovation called exhaust gas recirculation, which reroutes exhaust back into the engine cylinders to reduce emissions. However it has been found that with this system the emission of nitrogen oxides tends to increase.

So the objective of this research…

Is to find ways to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions and improve fuel consumption.

And how is this achieved?

Through an improved Cummins 6.7 liter, six-cylinder diesel engine usually found in Dodge Ram pickup trucks!

The achievements of the new engine control system?

1. Low particulate matter emissions with biodiesel compared to ordinary fuel
2. Improved fuel economy
3. Reduced nitrogen oxide emissions

However…

Fuel economy with biodiesel is still low compared to regular diesel fuel and the reason for this is the lower energy density of biodiesel.

The research team?

Comprises researchers at Purdue University’s Ray W. Herrick Laboratories and Cummins Inc.

via: Purdue University