Impact of Biodiesel Fuels on Air Quality Task 2 Report: The Impact of Biodiesel Fuels on Ozone Concentrations
4/1/2003
This report evaluates the ozone air quality impacts from the use of biodiesel fuel in the South Coast (Los Angeles) Air Basin (SoCAB), lower Lake Michigan, Northeast Corridor, and other cities in the Eastern United States. The largest impacts on ambient ozone concentrations due to the use of biodiesel are expected to be due to changes in NOx emissions from diesel vehicles. Studies, such as the Ozone Transport Assessment Group (OTAG), have concluded that regional NOx controls are one of the most effective control strategies for reducing regional ozone concentrations. In the eastern U.S. However, in some cases, NOx controls result in increased ozone levels, particularly in the urban cores of large cities. The assessment of ozone impacts due to biodiesel fuel use must therefore include the effects of the fuel on regional ozone and ozone transport as well as the effects within urban areas. The ozone air quality modeling conducted as part of this study therefore takes into account both urban-scale and regional-scale ozone formation through the use of high-resolution urban-scale modeling domains of the cities under study as well as coarser-scale regional-scale modeling.
Authors: Morris, R.; Mansell, G.; Jia, Y.; Wilson, G.
Impact of Biodiesel Fuels on Air Quality Task 4 Report: Impacts of Biodiesel Fuel Use on PM
4/1/2003
Biodiesel fuels have been investigated for a number of reasons, such as an extender for petroleum-based fuels derived from a domestic renewable energy source. But lately the primary interest is the potential for a more environmentally benign fuel. The potential for exhaust emission reductions and reductions in emissions toxicity have the most interest. Several studies have shown that large reductions in hydrocarbon, particulate, and carbon monoxide emissions are expected from its use either as a neat fuel or as a blend with petroleum-derived fuels.
There are several areas in the United States that are currently in non-attainment for particulate matter of 10 pm or less (PM10). In addition, there is a new fine particulate matter (PM2.5) which may result in new areas being in non-attainment for PM. Biodiesel fuel use is estimated to reduce several precursors to PM (e.g., PM, SO2, and VOC) and increase others (NOx). Thus, the net affect of biodiesel fuel use on ambient PM levels is unclear based on analyzing changes in emissions alone, so it is assessed using air quality modeling.
Authors: Morris, R.E.; Jia, Y.
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report - March 3, 2003
3/3/2003
This is the ninth issue of the Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report, a quarterly newsletter keeping you up to date on the price of alternative fuels in the U.S. and their relation to gasoline and diesel prices. This issue discusses prices that were gathered from Clean Cities coordinators and stakeholders during the weeks of February 3, February 10, and February 17 2003, with comparisons to the prices in the previous Price Report, which were collected in October, 2002.
Authors: Lott, M.
MTA New York City Transit
3/1/2003
The Role of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity (AVTA) is to bridge the gap between R&D of advanced vehicle technologies and commercial availability. This fact sheet examines testing activity for New York City Transit's fleet of diesel electric hybrid buses.
Innovative Methods for Corn Stover Collecting, Handling, Storing and Transporting
3/1/2003
Corn stover, the material remaining on the surface after the grain is collected, is the largest underutilized crop in the U.S. Currently, stover is field dried and baled, limiting transportation to a 50-mile radius. For corn stover feedstock to become a reality for large biorefineries, innovations are needed between the field and delivery to the the processor in three areas: collection, storage, and transportation.
Authors: Atchison, J.E.; Hettenhaus, J.R.
NOx Solutions for Biodiesel -- Final Report -- #6 in a series of 6
2/28/2003
This study has examined a number of approaches for Nox reduction from biodiesel. Blending FT diesel at very high percentages can produce a NOx neutral fuel. Lowering the base fuel aromatic content from 31.9% to 7.5% (nominally 10% aromatic fuel) was very successful at lowering NOx.
Authors: McCormick, R.L.; J.R. Alvarez, M.S. Graboski
The Effect of Biodiesel Composition on Engine Emissions from a DDC Series 60 Diesel Engine
2/28/2003
Certificaation fuel runs exhibited a mean NOx emission level of 4.59 g/bhp-h (+/-.053) with no significant drift over the four month test program. PM emissions averaged 0.261 g/bhp-h (+/-0.019). A small downward drift in PM emissions was evident (11% over the course of the project). Thus, no correction for drift was applied to the NOx emissions data but a small correction wass applied to PM.
Authors: Graboski, M.S.; R.L. McCormick, T.L. Alleman
Bioassay Analyses of Particulate Matter From a Diesel Bus Engine Using Various Biodiesel Feedstock Fuels
2/28/2003
Diesel exhaust is a complex mixture of compounds present in both the particle and vapor phases and includes specific classes of compounds such as the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, many of which are genotoxic. Many technologies have been employed to reduce diesel particulate emissions, including engine modification, emission control devices, and the use of alternative fuels such as biodiesel.
Authors: Kado, N.Y.; P.A. Kuzmicky
Fuel Cell Report to Congress: February 2003
2/1/2003
This report is one of two that Congress has asked the Department of Energy to prepare, describing the status of fuel cells. This report covers the potential benefits, the barriers to commercialization and the recommended program adjustments to fuel cell use in transportation, portable power, stationary, and distributed power generation applications.
A Bioethanol Process Development Unit: Initial Operating Experiences and Results with a Corn Fiber Feedstock
1/1/2003
Interest in bioethanol production from lignocellulosic feedstocks for use as an alternative fuel is increasing, but near-term commercialization will require a low cost feedstock. One such feedstock, corn fiber, was tested in the US DOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) bioethanol pilot plant for the purpose of testing integrated equipment operating and generating performance data. During initial runs in 1995, the plant was operated for two runs lasting 10 and 15 days each and utilized unit operations for feedstock handling, pretreatment by dilute sulfuric-acid hydrolysis, yeast inoculum production, and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation using a commercially available cellulase enzyme. Although significant operational problems were encountered, as would be expected with the startup of any new plant, operating experience was gained and preliminary data were generated on corn fiber pretreatment and subsequent fermentation of the pretreated material. Bacterial contamination was a significant problem during these fermentations.
Authors: Schell, D.J.; C.J. Riley, N. Dowe, J. Farmer, K.N. Ibsen, M.F. Ruth, S.T. Toon (NREL) R.E. Lumpkin (SWAN)
Fuel Cell Vehicles: Race to a New Automotive Future
1/1/2003
This assessment discusses the status of global efforts to address the technical and economic barriers including cost and infrastructure to the widespread adoption of fuel cell vehicles and thereby usher in a new transportation future. While the successful resolution of remaining technical and economic barriers to fuel cell vehicles is not a foregone conclusion, success is closer than ever before.
Notes: Copies of this document can be downloaded from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Technology Administration Web site at: http://www.ta.doc.gov/reports/TechPolicy/CD117a-030129.pdf.