Fueling Direct Injected Diesel Engines with 2% Biodiesel Blend

The Agricultural Engineering Department at the University of Missouri-Columbia has monitored the fueling of a 1996 Dodge pickup truck equipped with a 5.9-L (360-in.3) Cummins engine with a 2% blend of methyl-ester soybean oil (soydiesel/biodiesel) and petroleum diesel fuel (B2) for more than 65,352 km (40,608 miles). The pickup averaged 7.91 km/L (18.61 mile/gal). Analysis of engine lubrication oil suggested that the engine was wearing at a normal rate. Exhaust emissions were measured at Iowa State University. The black exhaust smoke normally observed when a diesel engine accelerates was reduced each time the engine was fueled with B2, but CO, HC, and NOxwere not affected.