Estimated atmospheric emissions from biodiesel and characterization of pollutants in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre-RS

Elba C Teixeira,Flavio Wiegand,Eduardo R.R Santana,Sabrina Feltes,Camila D.P Mattiuzi

doi:10.1590/s0001-37652012000300008

Elba C Teixeira, Flavio Wiegand + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/s0001-37652012000300008

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Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to estimate emissions of some pollutants (CO, NO(X), HC, SO(X), and PM) in diesel fleet due to the addition of biodiesel in different blends, as well as to assess atmospheric pollutant concentrations in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre (MAPA). The methodology was based on inventories from mobile sources based on US EPA's technical report. Regarding air quality the following parameters were determined: PM(10), PM(2.5), CO, NO(X), O(3), SO(2), HC and PAHs. The results showed a decrease for emissions PM, CO, and HC, and a slight increase for NO(X). The characterization of atmospheric pollutants in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre showed that they are influenced by mobile sources, particularly diesel vehicles. The diagnosis of ratios analysis that was applied to facilitate the identification of sources of PAHs, indicated an influence of diesel oil.

Highlights

The worldwide expansion of the number of vehicles on the roads has been responsible for the increase in pollutant emissions into the atmosphere, frequently contributing to worsening air quality, in large urban areas.Vehicular emissions are one of the major primary sources of fine particles emission, and they might be responsible for approximately 15-50% of the total aerosol mass in urban areas (Sheesley et al 2007 and references therein)
The present study aims to estimate vehicle emissions of the pollutants carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOX), HC, sulfur oxides (SOX), and particulate matter (PM) from the addition of biodiesel to diesel in several blends, as well as to assess atmospheric pollutant concentrations in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre (MAPA), located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Among the 31 counties of the MAPA, Porto Alegre is the major contributor to atmospheric emissions, since it represents approximately 40% of the total diesel fleet in the area

Summary

Introduction

The worldwide expansion of the number of vehicles on the roads has been responsible for the increase in pollutant emissions into the atmosphere, frequently contributing to worsening air quality, in large urban areas. Vehicular emissions are one of the major primary sources of fine particles emission, and they might be responsible for approximately 15-50% of the total aerosol mass in urban areas (Sheesley et al 2007 and references therein). The use of alternative fuels, such as biodiesel, is being widely discussed in several countries due to an increased environmental awareness and higher petrodiesel prices. Biodiesel might be used as a fuel alternative in diesel engines to improve combustion efficiency and reduce emissions of pollutants as hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur oxides (SOx), and particulate matter (PM). The emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) show a handicap with regard to adding biodiesel to petroleum diesel, as this increases its emission levels (Wang et al 2000, Monyem and Van Gerpen 2001, Cardone et al 2002, Antolin et al 2002, Durbin and Norbeck 2002, Beer et al 2002, Kalam et al 2003, Dorado et al 2003, Kalligeros et al 2003, Lin CH et al 2006, Lin YC et al 2006)

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