The Great Lakes Zephyr - Wind Energy & Hydrogen Journal

Biodiesel industry leaders heralded the results of a study that shows a reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from biodiesel is attainable. Biodiesel has long been shown to reduce all regulated emissions, with exception of NOx emissions, which are a contributing factor in the localized formation of smog and ozone. When blended with B20 (20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent diesel), a new additive designed by Clean Diesel Technologies (CDT) showed emissions reductions five percent NOx compared to normal on-highway diesel fuel.

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) conducted the additive testing on a 1991 certified Cummins 8.3 liter medium-duty engine typical of school buses and delivery fleets. The formulation is a blend of No. 1 diesel and 20 percent biodiesel, along with CDT’s patented Platinum Plus® fuel-borne catalyst. Biodiesel is an oxygenated fuel derived from renewable biological sources, such as soybeans. The No. 1 diesel is commercial pipeline-grade kerosene widely used by municipalities.

“This additive/fuel combination has been tested by a highly respected laboratory, and the results are very encouraging,” said Steve Howell, Technical Director of the National Biodiesel Board. “In most biodiesel testing done so far, NOx is the only emission that biodiesel doesn’t reduce. This is a positive development for the industry as we search for ways to reduce NOx emissions in addition to the many other benefits of biodiesel.”

The study also showed a reduction of 23 percent particulates. “This blend actually beat a commercial ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel (ULSD) in reducing particulate matter (PM), NOx and carbon monoxide, and was close to the performance of ULSD in reducing hydrocarbon emissions,” said James Valentine, President and COO of CDT.