Title: On the effect of a global adoption of various fractions of biodiesel on key species in the troposphere

Authors: M.C. Cooke, A.R. Marven, S.R. Utembe, A.T. Archibald, G.W.R. Ensor, M.E. Jenkin, R.G. Derwent, S.J. O'Doherty, D.E. Shallcross

Addresses: School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK. ' School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK. ' School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK. ' School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK. ' School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK. ' School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK; Atmospheric Chemistry Services, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1FB, UK. ' rdscientific, Newbury, Berkshire, UK.' School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK. ' School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK

Abstract: Biodiesel use is being promoted worldwide as a green alternative to conventional diesel. A global three-dimensional chemistry transport model is employed to investigate the impact on air quality and global tropospheric composition of adopting biodiesel as a fractional component of diesel use. Five global simulations are conducted where emission changes of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides were applied within the model to investigate changes in tropospheric pollutants. Hydrocarbon emission reductions lead to an overall improvement in air quality with reductions in ozone, organic aerosol, aromatic species and PAN. However when the increase in NOx, caused by increased exhaust temperature, is included there is negligible difference in ozone production between mineral diesel and biodiesel blends. The cause of these effects is discussed. [Received: September 30, 2009; Accepted: December 12, 2009]

Keywords: biofuels; biodiesel; global modelling; air quality; air pollution; ozone; secondary organic aerosol; SOA; OVOCs; troposphere; chemistry transport modelling; hydrocarbons; nitrogen oxides; NOx.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2010.032476

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2010 Vol.3 No.1, pp.88 - 103

Published online: 03 Apr 2010 *

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