Characteristics of Persistent Organic Pollutant Emissions from a Diesel-Engine Generator Fueled Using Blends of Waste Cooking Oil-Based Biodiesel and Fossil Diesel

ABSTRACT

This study elucidates the characteristics of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polybrominated dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), that are emitted from a generator (non-road diesel engine) that is fueled with a blend of waste cooking oil biodiesels (WCO-biodiesels). Experimental results reveal that the mass concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, PBDD/Fs and PBDEs from the diesel generator that is fueled with petroleum diesel (D100) under loads of 1.5 kW and 3.0 kW were 583–875 pg Nm^–3, 580–810 pg Nm^–3, 982–1408 pg Nm^–3, and 134–216 ng Nm^–3, respectively, while the toxicity concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, and PBDD/Fs were 33.2–58.6, 2.72–3.11, and 1.54–2.30 pg WHO₂₀₀₅-TEQ Nm^–3, respectively. W20 and W40 emitted 15–65% and 23–85% less of these POPs by mass (and 25–47% and 46–91% by toxicity), respectively. Among the tested fuel blends, the W40 exhibited the greatest emission factor reductions of mass and toxicity of these four POPs, despite of the load. Therefore, WCO-biodiesels can feasibly be used as an alternative generator fuel, favoring the recycling/reuse of waste oils and mitigating hazards to human health and environment.