Fresh and Oxidized Emissions from In-Use Transit Buses Running on Diesel, Biodiesel, and CNG

The potential effect of changing to a nonfossil fuel vehicle fleet was investigated by measuring primary emissions (by extractive sampling of bus plumes) and secondary mass formation, using a Gothenburg Potential Aerosol Mass (Go:PAM) reactor, from 29 in-use transit buses. Regarding fresh emissions, diesel (DSL) buses without a diesel particulate filter (DPF) emitted the highest median mass of particles, whereas compressed natural gas (CNG) buses emitted the lowest (MdEFPM 514 and 11 mg kg fuel–1, respectively).

Rapeseed methyl ester (RME) buses showed smaller MdEFPM and particle sizes than DSL buses. DSL (no DPF) and hybrid-electric RME (RMEHEV) buses exhibited the highest particle numbers (MdEFPN 12 × 1014 # kg fuel–1). RMEHEV buses displayed a significant nucleation mode (Dp< 20 nm). EFPN of CNG buses spanned the highest to lowest values measured. Low MdEFPN and MdEFPM were observed for a DPF-equipped DSL bus.

Secondary particle formation resulting from exhaust aging was generally important for all the buses (79% showed an average EFPM:AGED/EFPM:FRESH ratio >10) and fuel types tested, suggesting an important nonfuel dependent source. The results suggest that the potential for forming secondary mass should be considered in future fuel shifts, since the environmental impact is different when only considering the primary emissions.