Course: BFM 202 Biodiesel Production

Lecture

New Technologies
Credits
BFM 202 Biodiesel Production Unit 2 Lecture has been adapted from "ENGY 131 Unit 2 Commentary: The Diesel Engine" by Southeastern Illinois College.

ENGY 131 Biodiesel Production course content by Southeastern Illinois College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Except where indicated otherwise.

New Technologies

Engine manufacturers and fuel producers are making technological
advances in order to comply with mandates for lower emissions and
improved fuel economy for diesel engines. Little is known about biodiesel
use in advanced technology engines, but there is no indication that
biodiesel will not be fully compatible with these advances.

Click on each title below to read more:
Cam-actuated Unit Injection

Injection units with pressures up to 2000 bar. This high velocity injection pressure lowers the amount of particulates and soot is almost completely oxidized while injection timing is set to reduce NOx.

Rail Injection Systems

Light and medium duty engines exhibit multiple combustion events in a single engine cycle in the form of pilot-injections and pre-injections. The main injection reduces ignition delay, premixed combustion, and NOx production. Following the main injection, small injections reduce vibration and engine noise while oxidizing soot particles. A post-injection raises exhaust hydrocarbon levels necessary for the after-treatment equipment effectiveness. These advances were made possible with the use of sophisticated electronic and computerized controls.

Catalyzed Diesel Particulate Filters

Catalyzed diesel particulate filters, or traps, force the exhaust to pass through a porous ceramic material that captures the exhaust particles. The surface of the ceramic is coated with a catalyst that oxidizes the particles.

NOx Traps and Absorbers

NOx traps and absorbers catalytically convert the NOx to stable compounds and are periodically removed during regeneration cycles. The catalysts used in both the particulate traps and the NOx absorbers are very sensitive to fuel sulfur.

Turbochargers

To improve an engine's air supply, variable geometry turbochargers extend the engine operating range and lowers particulate emissions. Air-to-air after coolers are also used to lower intake air temperatures to reduce both NOx and particulate emissions.

Diesel Fuel Monitors

In addition to analytical methods used in monitoring fuel quality,
on-vehicle analysis of diesel and biodiesel blends are used to adjust
engine operation parameters.
Adjustments may be made to the fuel injection timing which results in
improved performance and emissions. When refueling with different blend
levels or alternating with petroleum-based DF, a sensor is used to
detect the level of alcohol (usually methanol or ethanol). Other sensors
were developed that were originally designed for testing the humidity or
salinity of soil.
The University of Illinois is developing an electrochemical sensor
located in the fuel line before the fuel injectors to detect fuel
contaminants in both biodiesel and diesel fuels. Although original equipment
manufacturers (OEM) warranties are valid on blends up to B20,
this is an additional method to monitor fuel quality. EPA regulations on
emissions levels caused engine designers to optimize combustion in order
to control exhaust. These sensors can be set to warn the operator if
contaminants such as sulfur should get too high.