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Rapeseed oil methyl ester, two common fuels and one artificial blend were investigated their effects on particulate emissions. A heavy-duty diesel engine equipped with a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) was used for this test. Properties such as composition of particulate matter, as well as particle size and number distributions were measured using an electronic low pressure impactor (ELPI) and a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) besides the regulated emissions: carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). Furthermore investigations were carried out regarding the influence of dilution temperature on particle number distribution measured via SMPS. Studies were carried out with and without a DOC. Additionally the mutagenic potency of the particulate and gaseous emissions was determined using the Ames test. RME led to lower regulated emissions than common diesel fuel with exception of NOx.

The replacement of petrol derived fuels by biogenic fuels from renewable resources has become of worldwide interest and is scientifically investigated for its environmental costs and benefits. Biodiesel has been proven as a suitable alternative to fossil diesel fuel and blends up to 20% biodiesel with common diesel fuel are a strongly pushed policy in the U.S.A. and the EU. To investigate the influence of blends on the emissions and possible health effects, we performed a series of studies with several engines (Euro 0, III and IV) measuring regulated and non-regulated exhaust compounds and determining their mutagenic effects using the Bacterial Reverse Mutation Assay (Ames-Test) according to OECD Guideline 471. Emissions of blends showed an approximate linear dependence on the blend composition, in particular when regulated emissions are considered. However, a negative effect of blends was observed with respect to mutagenicity of the exhaust gas emissions.