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The objective of this project was to assess the effects of various blends of biodiesel on locomotive engine exhaust emissions. Systematic, credible, and carefully designed and executed locomotive fuel effect studies produce statistically significant conclusions are very scarce, and only cover a very limited number of locomotive models. Most locomotive biodiesel work has been limited to cursory demonstration programs. Of primary concern to railroads and regulators is understanding any exhaust emission associated with biodiesel use, especially NOX emissions. In this study, emissions tests were conducted on two locomotive models, a Tier 2 EMD SD70ACe and a Tier 1+ GE Dash9-44CW with two baseline fuels, conventional EPA ASTM No. 2-D S15 (commonly referred to as ultra-low sulfur diesel - ULSD) certification diesel fuel, and commercially available California Air Resource Board (CARB) ULSD fuel.

Particle size distribution, number, and mass emissions from the exhaust of a 92 kW 1999 Isuzu 6BG1 nonroad naturally aspirated diesel engine were measured. The engine exhaust was equipped with a Dry System Technologies® (DST) auxiliary emission control device that included an oxidation catalyst, a heat exchanger, and a disposable paper particulate filter. Particle measurement was taken during the ISO 8178 8-mode test for engine out and engine with the DST using a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) in parallel to the standard filter method (SFM), specified in 40 CFR, Part 89. The DST efficiency of removing particles was about 99.9 percent based on particle number, 99.99 percent based on particle mass derived from number and size. However, the efficiency based on mass derived from the SFM was much lower on the order of 90 to 93 percent.

Criteria pollutants were measured from ten Class 7 and 8 (i.e., gross vehicle weights > 33,000 lb) heavy-duty diesel trucks with engine model years between 1953 and 1975. The data was used by EPA to estimate that period's particulate matter emission rates for these type engines and will be used to develop dose response relationships with existing epidemiological data. Particulate samples were analyzed for sulfate and volatile organic fraction. Carbon soot was estimated. The trucks had particulate emissions of 2 to 10 g/mi as compared to 1 to 6 g/mi for trucks with model year engines from 1975 through the mid-1980s, and less than 1 g/mi for post-1988 trucks.

Natural gas appears to be the alternative fuel of choice for both light-duty and heavy-duty applications. Conversion kits are typically retrofitted to existing gasoline or diesel fueled engines. One problem area is the very limited amount of meaningful exhaust emissions test data on vehicles converted to natural gas, especially for heavy-duty vehicles. In an attempt to characterize the air quality implications of a large-scale natural gas conversion of the City of Houston's fleet of over 9,000 vehicles. a demonstration program was initiated Nine of the City's heavy-duty trucks were converted by the City to operate on compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel.

Transit agencies continue to be the focus of heavy-duty diesel engine emission reduction programs by using Federal regulations as well as self-imposed mandates to reduce smoke and particulate emissions. Such is the case with the Miami Valley Regional Transit Authority, which wanted to characterize the emissions of a 1985 model year Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC) 6V-92 TA diesel engine that was rebuilt using DDC Upgrade Kit 10-B. In addition to determining the baseline exhaust emissions from the upgraded engine, two separate emission reduction technologies were evaluated. The first system evaluated was an electrically regenerated particulate trap oxidizer developed jointly by Donaldson and 3M The second technology evaluated was an ethanol injection system in conjunction with an oxidizing catalyst designed and manufactured by Midwest Power Concepts (MPC) Emission tests were performed in accordance with the heavy-duty diesel engine transient Federal Test Procedure (FTP).

A Single Cylinder Medium Speed diesel engine research facility has been developed for investigating areas of current technical concern to the rail, marine and stationary power industries. The design and operation of this Single Cylinder Research Engine (SCRE) is described. The facility is centered around a Bombardier model 251-plus 11.0 L engine which is representative of four stroke multi-cylinder railroad, marine and small stationary powerplant engines. All engine support systems (air, cooling water, fuel oil and lubricating oil pumps) operate independent of the engine enabling a wide range of adjustments in flow, pressure and temperature. Current program areas for which this system is used include alternative fuels evaluation, combustion analyses, fuel injection system development, component wear and durability studies, engine friction analyses, lubricant testing and emissions evaluations.

An experimental investigation of the ignition and combustion characteristics of two low cetane fuels in a spark assisted diesel engine at cold starting conditions is described. A three cylinder diesel engine was modified for single cylinder operation and fitted with a spark plug located in the periphery of the fuel injection spray plume. Optical observations of ignition and combustion were obtained with high speed photography. Optical access was provided by a quartz piston crown and extended head arrangement. The low cetane fuels, a light end low viscosity fuel and a heavy end high viscosity fuel, which were blended to bracket No. 2 diesel fuel on the distillation curve, demonstrated extended operation at low temperature starting conditions in the modified diesel engine. Qualitative and quantitative experimental observations of fuel spray characteristics, ignition delay, pressure rise, heat release, and white smoke formation were compared and evaluated against theoretical predictions.

An experimental investigation of the ignition and combustion characteristics of two low cetane fuels in a spark assisted Diesel engine is described. A three cylinder Diesel engine was modified for single cylinder operation and fitted with a spark plug located in the periphery of the spray plume. Optical observations of ignition and combustion were obtained with high speed photography. Optical access was provided by a quartz piston crown and extended head arrangement. The low cetane fuels, a light end, low viscosity fuel and a heavy end, high viscosity fuel which were blended to bracket No. 2 Diesel fuel on the distillation curve, demonstrated extended operation in the modified Diesel engine. Qualitative and quantitative experimental observations of ignition delay, pressure rise, heat release, spray penetration and geometery were compared and evaluated against theoretical predictions.