Diesel Particulate Filter-Related Fuel Efficiency Improvements Using Biodiesel Blends in Conjunction With Advanced Aftertreatment Sensing and Controls

It is well known that biodiesel may reduce engine-out particulate matter (PM) emissions and result in PM which has more favorable oxidation characteristics relative to PM derived solely from petroleum diesel. This study investigated the use of neat biodiesel, as well as blends, with a light-duty diesel engine equipped with a catalyzed diesel particulate filter (DPF) and radio frequency particulate filter sensor. The results show a reduction in engine-out PM emissions with increasing biodiesel blend levels and a corresponding increase in the duration between DPF regenerations. In situ measurements of the PM oxidation rates on the DPF using the radio frequency sensor further indicated more rapid oxidation of the biodiesel-derived PM with lower light-off temperatures relative to the petroleum-derived PM. The conclusions indicate considerable potential to extend DPF regeneration intervals and decrease regeneration duration when biodiesel blends are used in conjunction with advanced DPF sensing and control systems, thereby reducing the DPF-related fuel consumption.