Biodiesel Combustion and Its Biodiesel Combustion and Its Influence on NoInfluence on Nox x Emissions Emissions

Kathyrn SpatesKathyrn SpatesBiology teacherBiology teacher

Barbara Jordan High School for CareersBarbara Jordan High School for CareersHouston ISDHouston ISD

Dr. Timothy JacobsDr. Timothy JacobsAssistant ProfessorAssistant Professor

Advanced Engine Research Laboratory Advanced Engine Research Laboratory Department of Mechanical EngineeringDepartment of Mechanical Engineering

Texas A&M UniversityTexas A&M University

Dr. Timothy JacobsDr. Timothy Jacobs

PhD in Mechanical Engineering PhD in Mechanical Engineering 2005 University of Michigan2005 University of Michigan

Head of Advanced Engine Head of Advanced Engine Research LaboratoryResearch Laboratory

published one book chapter on IC published one book chapter on IC engines, seven refereed journal engines, seven refereed journal articles, and four conference articles, and four conference paperspapers

active in both the Society of active in both the Society of Automotive Engineers and Automotive Engineers and American Society of Mechanical American Society of Mechanical EngineersEngineers

The Advanced Engine Research Laboratory is a research program housed at Texas A&M University with the long-range purpose of advancing energy conversion for internal combustion engines. This purpose is met through fundamental experimental and theoretical investigations of:  in-cylinder combustion processes, the coupling to advanced concepts, the use of alternative fuels, and the integration of exhaust after treatment systems.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Research Quad

Alternative and Bio-based Fuels•Ignition characteristics•Impact on combustion•Resulting emissions

Low Temperature Combustion•Attainment and development•In-cylinder mixture formation and burn temperatures

Advanced Aftertreatment•Diesel oxidation catalysts•Lean NOx Traps / Urea SCR

Advanced Diesel Combustion•In-cylinder transient emissions formation•Heat transfer and fluid phenomenon

Why BiodieselWhy Biodiesel

Energy Policy Act of 2005—amended the Clean Energy Policy Act of 2005—amended the Clean Air Act to establish a Renewable Fuel Standard Air Act to establish a Renewable Fuel Standard

Biodiesel is a renewable fuelBiodiesel is a renewable fuel Biodiesel fuel has gained public appeal for its Biodiesel fuel has gained public appeal for its

promise to contribute toward a sustainable promise to contribute toward a sustainable energy system and reduce the emission of energy system and reduce the emission of carbon into the atmosphere.carbon into the atmosphere.

RELEVANCERELEVANCE

With the depletion of fossil fuels there With the depletion of fossil fuels there is a need for alternative energy is a need for alternative energy resourcesresources

Biodiesel is a recognized alternative Biodiesel is a recognized alternative energy source under the Energy energy source under the Energy Policy Act of 1992Policy Act of 1992

Environmentally safeEnvironmentally safe EconomicalEconomical Performs at or better than current fuelsPerforms at or better than current fuels

Research AssignmentResearch AssignmentWhat role can biodiesel play in What role can biodiesel play in reducing greenhouse gases reducing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide from such as carbon dioxide from the transportation sector?the transportation sector?

Current Carbon Cycle: Using fossil fuels is causing an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2)

Greenhouse Greenhouse Effect and Effect and

Global WarmingGlobal Warming

---The rise in ---The rise in temperature that the temperature that the Earth experiences Earth experiences because certain because certain gases in the gases in the atmosphere (water atmosphere (water vapor, carbon vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane, oxide, and methane, for example) trap for example) trap energy from the sun.energy from the sun.

This has contributed to:

Implications of Global WarmingImplications of Global Warming

Melting of the ice caps with increased sea Melting of the ice caps with increased sea levels occurringlevels occurring

Chaotic weather changes—droughts Chaotic weather changes—droughts and/or floodsand/or floods

Decreased crop yields and decreased Decreased crop yields and decreased arable land availabilityarable land availability

Biodiesel recycles the carbon dioxide causing no net change in CO2

Research ActivitiesResearch Activities

Attend a weekly seminar on Internal Attend a weekly seminar on Internal Combustion (IC) engine fundamentalsCombustion (IC) engine fundamentals

Attend defense of thesis of graduating Attend defense of thesis of graduating students to gain an awareness of research students to gain an awareness of research done in engine labdone in engine lab

Observe and participate during an engine Observe and participate during an engine test when performedtest when performed

•Perform literature search for current findings on biodiesel and CO2 emissions•Compile my findings•Develop a WebQuest for my students

SummarySummary

Gain an awareness of biodiesel and its Gain an awareness of biodiesel and its implications on the environment i.e. implications on the environment i.e. Carbon CycleCarbon Cycle

Integrate engineering concepts into my Integrate engineering concepts into my curriculumcurriculum

Demonstrate the real-world application of Demonstrate the real-world application of science through engineeringscience through engineering

Classroom LessonClassroom Lesson

Produce an proposal for using biodiesel.Produce an proposal for using biodiesel. How is biodiesel beneficial?How is biodiesel beneficial? Compare/contrast biodiesel to petroleum Compare/contrast biodiesel to petroleum

diesel.diesel. What are the implications of using biodiesel What are the implications of using biodiesel

as it pertains to greenhouse gas emissions?as it pertains to greenhouse gas emissions?

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Dr. Timothy Jacobs—my mentorDr. Timothy Jacobs—my mentor Texas A&M University for the opportunityTexas A&M University for the opportunity NSF for funding ENSF for funding E3 3 ProgramProgram David Gutierrez--EDavid Gutierrez--E3 3 partnerpartner