Picture five Saskatoon Transit buses with eye-catching signs at the back displaying the following message: "A Breath of Fresh Air! You are Following a Leader!" Intrigued?
Then picture Barry Hertz, a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan, a soft-spoken and engaging fellow who has the attention of a whole range of Canola industry stakeholders.
You see, Hertz has been involved in a special project that looks at how the use of biodiesel in engines affects fuel consumption and engine wear. Hence the Saskatoon Transit BioBus initiative: real-life testing of biodiesel blends with a mission.
The answers Hertz is coming up are like music to the ears of those who hope biodiesel really takes off, especially in light of current low prices for canola.
"The results from tests carried out during the course of our BioBus Project in Saskatoon, are extremely encouraging. Those and tests performed at our research facilities at the College of Engineering, allow us to measure the effects of the use of biodiesel in diesel engines."
Biodiesel use brings definite fuel economy benefits when incorporated in the form of a two to five percent biodiesel blend with conventional diesel fuel.
"Not only that, but we are also extending the life of the engine when we do this, as we have noticed as much as a 40 percent reduction in engine wear debris as a result of using biodiesel," explains Hertz.
"By blending a small amount of biodiesel with the regular fuel, we are increasing the lubricity of the fuel, which results in smaller wear scars because of a lower coefficient of friction."
Another aspect worthy of consideration pertains to the 19 percent Oxygen content of biodiesel additives, which enables engines to burn the fuel cleanlier.
"In effect, adding a small amount of biodiesel improves the quality of the diesel fuel, although we don't look at biodiesel as a substitute for diesel itself. One should bear in mind that if one was to use 100 percent pure biodiesel as fuel, one would quickly notice a decrease in fuel economy because biodiesel does not generate as much energy as regular diesel. It seems the one to five percent blend is the most profitable option."
One other very attractive consideration is that all these results point to a noticeable reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Keep up the good work Professor Hertz!
- 30 -
Barry Hertz, PEng
University of Saskatcehwan
(306) 966-5450
Comments