Particulate matter emission comparison from conventional and premixed low temperature combustion with diesel, biodiesel and biodiesel-ethanol fuels

Biodiesel increases LTC nucleation mode particles relative to diesel. Biodiesel-E20 increases the amount of small nucleation particles (<20 nm) and decreases the amount of large nucleation particles (20-50 nm) relative to diesel. The increases in nucleation particles for biodiesel and small nucleation particles (<20 nm) for biodiesel-E20 are believed to be caused by less soot and more exhaust semi-volatile organic carbon causing increased nucleation. Biodiesel-B20 produces the lowest soot and total particle number concentration, both at conventional and premixed LTC, demonstrating its potential as an alternative fuel for diesel engines.