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CARB Comprehensive B5/B10 Biodiesel Blends Heavy-Duty Engine Dynamometer Testing, June 2014
The goal of this study was to conduct a more comprehensive study of the emissions impacts of lower level B5 and B10 blends in CARB diesel fuel. For this study, B5 and B10 biodiesel blends with both an animal-based and a soy-based biodiesel feedstock were tested. These fuels were tested in a 2006 Cummins ISM engine and a 1991 Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC) Series 60 Engine over the standard Federal Test Procedure (FTP), the Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS), and the Supplemental Emissions Test (SET).
The present study expands upon the earlier CARB/UCR/UCD studies to provide more comprehensive information on the emissions impacts of lower level B5 and B10 blends in CARB diesel fuel. The results of this study will be used in conjunction with results from other associated or related studies to evaluate the emissions impacts of biodiesel use in CARB diesel fuel. For this study B5 and B10 blends were evaluated over a test sequence that is similar to that used for the emissions equivalent diesel certification procedure. Biodiesel blends included B5 and B10 blends with both an animal-based and a soy-based biodiesel feedstock. Testing was conducted in CE-CERT’s heavy-duty engine dynamometer laboratory with a 2006 Cummins ISM engine and a 1991 Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC) Series 60 Engine. The test sequence included the standard Federal Test Procedure (FTP), the Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS), and the Supplemental Emissions Test (SET).
CARB B20 Biodiesel Preliminary and Certification Testing, July 2013
The goal of this study is to evaluate different B20 additive blends as potential emissions equivalent biodiesel fuel formulations for California. For this work, preliminary tests were performed on soy-based B20 blends with 5 different additive combinations. A full emissions equivalent certification test was then performed on one of the B20-soy additive. The results showed that although some additives provided reductions in NOx emissions with B20 blends, none of the additives tested provided sufficient benefits in NOx emissions to provide the level of NOx mitigation required to pass a full emissions equivalent certification test procedure at a B20 level.
The present study expands upon the earlier CARB/UCR/UCD study to examine the viability of certifying B20-biodiesel blends with additives under CARB’s procedures for emissions equivalent diesel fuel formulations. The emissions equivalent diesel certification procedure is robust in that it requires at least twenty replicate tests on the reference and candidate fuels, depending on the test sequence selected, providing the ability to differentiate small differences in emissions. For this study, preliminary tests were performed on soy-based B20 blends with 5 different additive combinations. A full certification test was then performed on one of the B20- soy additive combinations to evaluate the viability of this strategy for implementation into the California fuel marketplace. This report provides a summary of both the preliminary and certification testing results.
CARB B5 Biodiesel Preliminary and Certification Testing, April 2013
The goal of this study is to evaluate different B5 blends as potential emissions equivalent biodiesel fuel formulations for California. For this work, a full emissions equivalent diesel fuel certification test was conducted on two low level biodiesel blends using CARB protocols. The two B5 blends included blends of one animal-based and one waste vegetable oil-based biodiesel with a CARB reference fuel. The certification test was successful for the animal-based B5 blend, with NOx showing a 0.5% reduction relative to the CARB reference fuel, but was unsuccessful for the WVO-based B5 blend, which showed an increase of 1.0% in NOx emissions. Preliminary testing done on a soy-based B5 blend also indicated that it likely would not pass the CARB certification test due to a NOx increase. The results of this study provide the initial framework for the development of certified emissions equivalent biodiesel formulations that could be implemented into the California diesel fuel market.
The present study expands upon the earlier CARB/UCR/UCD study to examine the viability of certifying B5-biodiesel blends under CARB’s procedures for emissions equivalent diesel fuel formulations. The emissions equivalent diesel certification procedure is robust in that it requires at least twenty replicate tests on the reference and candidate fuels, providing the ability to differentiate small differences in emissions. For this study, preliminary tests were performed on B5 blends made from three different feedstocks, soy-based, waste vegetable oil-based (WVO), and animal-based. Full certification tests were then performed on two of these fuels, the B5- animal and B5-WVO. This report provides a summary of both the preliminary and certification testing results.
CARB Assessment of the Emissions from the Use of Biodiesel as a Motor Vehicle Fuel in California “Biodiesel Characterization and NOx Mitigation Study”, October 2011
- Final Biodiesel Characterization and NOx Mitigation Study (Updated, corrected John Deere Animal biodiesel data, 7-25-14)
In order to better characterize the emissions impacts of renewable fuels under a variety of conditions, CARB has conducted a comprehensive study of biodiesel and other alternative diesel fuels with CARB diesel. This program was coordinated by CARB in conjunction with researchers from the University of California Riverside (UCR), the University of California Davis (UCD), and others including Arizona State University (ASU). The goal of this study was to understand and, to the extent possible, mitigate any impact that biodiesel has on NOx emissions from diesel engines. The study also looked at the impact of biodiesel on toxic emissions. This study provides an important assessment of the potential impact of renewable fuel use in California and a basis for the development of NOx mitigation strategies for meeting CARB xxv regulations. This study also makes an important contribution to the scientific knowledge of the impacts of biodiesel with “clean” or CARB-like diesel in heavy-duty engines.
Biodiesel Fleet Durability Study, July 2010
This biodiesel fleet durability study was performed in the following major areas: (1) A thorough literature review of potential durability issues associated with biodiesel use. The literature review also included cold weather issues, fuel stability, storage and handling, and engine manufacturer’s warranty. (2) A literature review of biodiesel fleet use experiences. (3) A comprehensive biodiesel fleet user experience survey. The survey focused on the biodiesel fleet repair and maintenance records. Other biodiesel use experiences, such as year round operability, storage and handling, fuel feedstocks, blend level, fuel price, fleet engine performance and fuel economy etc., were also included in the survey. A total of 40 agencies responded to the survey, including national park sites, airports, county and municipal fleets, school districts, private companies, state Department of Transportation agencies, various city transit agencies, as well as a few other users of biodiesel, such as the US Postal Service.
For the CE-CERT Engine Testing Portion for the CARB Assessment of the Emissions from the Use of Biodiesel as a Motor Vehicle Fuel in California “Biodiesel Characterization and NOx Mitigation Study” Testing on 2006 Cummins ISM, August 2009
In order to better characterize the emissions impacts of renewable fuels under a variety of conditions, CARB is conducting a comprehensive study of biodiesel and other alternative diesel fuels. The goal of this study is to understand and, to the extent possible, mitigate any impact that biodiesel has on NOx emissions from diesel engines. The full test matrix of the program includes testing on 2 heavy-duty engines, 4 heavy-duty vehicles, and 2 off-road engines. This memorandum summarizes the results from the first test engine, a 2006 Cummins ISM, under this comprehensive program.