Project Summary
Diesel Emissions
Evaluation Program
DEEP
DEEP
Page 1 of 2
Detailed results of
DEEP projects are
available at
www.deep.org
Evaluation of Biodiesel Fuel and a Diesel
Oxidation Catalyst in an Underground
Metal Mine
About the Study
The DEEP biodiesel study was undertaken at
Inco’s Creighton Mine in Sudbury, Ontario in
October of 1997. The goals of the study were:
! to measure changes in exhaust emissions,
especially diesel particulate matter (DPM),
and
! to estimate costs of operating a test vehicle
fueled with blended biodiesel.
The study was conducted by the University of
Minnesota, Inco, CANMET, Michigan
Technological University, ORTECH, and the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health. The Manufacturers of Emission
Controls Association, Deutz Engine Company,
Ontario Soybean Growers’ Marketing Board,
Saskatchewan Canola Development
Commission, and the South Dakota Soybean
Promotion Committee also contributed to the
study.
Background: Biodiesel and Emissions
Biodiesel is usually produced by reacting
soybean or canola oil derivatives with
methanol. The properties of biodiesel and its
blends with petrodiesel are currently covered
by a provisional ASTM standard PS121-99.
The general impact of biodiesel and its blends
on fuel properties and emissions, relative to
petrodiesel, can be summarized as follows:
Biodiesel Properties
! No sulfur content
! No aromatic content (and no PAHs)
! About 11% oxygen content (petrodiesel
contains no oxygen)
! Higher cetane value
! Lower heating value
! Better lubricity
! Higher viscosity
! Higher freezing temperature
! Higher flashpoint
! No toxicity or low toxicity
Biodiesel Emissions
! Total particulate matter (TPM) #
inconclusive
! Organic particulates (SOF) # increase
! Sulfate particulates # decrease
! Carbon particulates # decrease
! Visible smoke # decreases
! Nitrogen oxides # increase
! Hydrocarbons # decrease
! Carbon monoxide # decreases
! PAHs # decrease
Biodiesel