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In this study, vehicle exhaust emissions and performance were studied using various renewable components with the aim of achieving a high bio-share in gasoline and compatibility with conventional cars. Several biogasoline components were included in the fuel matrix: ethanol, ETBE, isobutanol, n-butanol and renewable hydrocarbon gasoline produced from hydrotreated oils and fats. The share of bioenergy in the test fuel blends varied from 7 to 28 Eeqv%, and the oxygen content from 0 to 11 m/m%. Fossil gasoline was used as the reference fuel for emissions performance, and E85 fuel as an example of a typical market fuel for FFV cars. Experimental work was carried out at −7 °C with two conventional gasoline cars and one FFV car. The measurements included regulated and unregulated exhaust emissions.

The effect of total olefin content on ozone forming potential has been widely studied. As a result a stringent limit for olefins is already given in California Specification for “Phase 2” gasoline and the 18 vol% limitation of olefins is expected to tighten also in Europe. However, it is not clear how determining the light olefins are and what is the role of heavy olefins regarding ozone forming potential. Ethanol is widely used as gasoline component in many countries, but not extensively in Europe. The biofuels have the potential to provide a renewable source of energy and contribute to lower global CO2 emissions. The unregulated emissions, especially particulates and their quality have not been studied extensively with ethanol containing gasoline using European test fleet. The objective was to study the applicability of heavy olefins in non-oxygenated and ethanol oxygenated gasolines. Alkylates in gasoline were replaced by isooctene.

Exhaust emissions from cars using reformulated gasoline (RFG) that meets European 2005 regulations for gasoline quality were compared to the emissions from cars using gasoline that meets European 2000 regulations (EU2000). Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) and Tertiary Amyl Methyl Ether (TAME) were used as oxygenates in the reformulated gasoline. The EU2000 gasoline contained no oxygen. Regulated, particulate and PAH exhaust emissions were measured at 22°C for 7 cars and at -7°C for 5 cars using the European MVEG cycle for year 2000 (ECE+EUDC). One of the cars was equipped with a lean burn engine, one with a direct injection engine and one was a carburetor equipped car without a catalytic converter. All other cars were equipped with multi point port fuel injection and a catalytic converter. Mutagenic activity of particulate mass was evaluated using the Ames test.