Exhaust emissions from a diesel powered vehicle fuelled by soybean biodiesel blends (B3–B20) with ethanol as an additive (B20E2–B20E5)

The effects of diesel oil–soybean biodiesel blends on a passenger vehicle exhaust pollutant emissions were investigated. Blends of diesel oil and soybean biodiesel with concentrations of 3% (B3), 5% (B5), 10% (B10) and 20% (B20) were used as fuels. Additionally, the effects of anhydrous ethanol as an additive to B20 fuel blend with concentrations of 2% (B20E2) and 5% (B20E5) were also studied. The emissions tests were carried out following the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). The results showed that increasing biodiesel concentration in the fuel blend increases carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxides of nitrogen (NOX) emissions, while carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and particulate matter (PM) emissions are reduced. The addition of anhydrous ethanol to B20 fuel blend proved it can be a strategy to control exhaust NOX and global warming effects through the reduction of CO2 concentration. However, it may require fuel injection modifications, as it increases CO, HC and PM emissions.