Regulated Emissions from Biodiesel Tested in Heavy-Duty Engines Meeting 2004 Emission Standards

Biodiesel produced from soybean oil, canola oil, yellow grease, and beef tallow was tested in two heavy-duty engines. The biodiesels were tested neat and as 20% by volume blends with a 15 ppm sulfur petroleum-derived diesel fuel. The test engines were the following: 2002 Cummins ISB and 2003 DDC Series 60. Both engines met the 2004 U.S. emission standard of 2.5 g/bhp-h NO{sub x}+HC (3.35 g/kW-h) and utilized exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). All emission tests employed the heavy-duty transient procedure as specified in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. Reduction in PM emissions and increase in NO{sub x} emissions were observed for all biodiesels in all engines, confirming observations made in older engines. On average PM was reduced by 25% and NO{sub x} increased by 3% for the two engines tested for a variety of B20 blends. These changes are slightly larger in magnitude, but in the same range as observed in older engines. The cetane improver 2-ethyl hexyl nitrate was shown to have no measurable effect on NO{sub x} emissions from B20 in these engines, in contrast to observations reported for older engines. The effect of intake air humidity on NO{sub x} emissions from the Cummins ISB was quantified. The CFR NO{sub x}/humidity correction factor was shown to be valid for an engine equipped with EGR, operating at 1700 m above sea level, and operating on conventional or biodiesel

Geothermal Heat Recovery Complex: Large-Scale, Deep Direct-Use System in a Low-Temperature Sedimentary Basin

This feasibility study is the first assessment of geothermal resources in the Illinois Basin (ILB). The breadth of previous, geologic-based research in the ILB supported this thorough determination of geothermal resources in the Mt. Simon Sandstone (MSS) and the techno-economics of establishing a geothermal energy system (GES) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (U of IL). An integrated, multi-disciplinary scientific and engineering approach allowed simulations for both the belowground and aboveground components of the GES that would meet the required baseload of 2 MMBtu/hr at the end-user agricultural research facilities (ARFs). This assessment contributes to the broader discussion surrounding the U of IL’s goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Furthermore, a rigorous evaluation of the ILB’s geological, hydrological, and thermal frameworks facilitated a broader assessment of the feasibility of applying deep direct-use (DDU) technologies at facilities (e.g., military installations, hospitals, and school campuses) in other geographical areas in the ILB, and in other sedimentary basins in midcontinent of the US.U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Geothermal Technologies Office Award Number DE-EE0008106Ope

Development and Demonstration of Hydrogen and Compressed Natural Gas (H/CNG) Blend Transit Buses: October 15, 2002--September 30, 2004

The report covers literature and laboratory analyses to identify modification requirements of a Cummins Westport B Gas Plus engine for transit buses using a hydrogen/compressed natural fuel blend