Leon G. Schumacher

Heavy-duty engine exhaust emission tests using methyl ester soybean oil/diesel fuel blends.

A model 6V92TA Detroit Diesel Corporation diesel engine (9.0 l) was fueled on blends of 10, 20, 30 and 40% soydiesel/diesel fuel. The engine was tested using the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) heavy-duty engine test cycle in an EPA certification test cell. A 56.6 m3/min (2000 cfm) PDP-CVS dilution tunnel, gaseous bench and particulate bench provided full gaseous and particulate emissions data. Fueling with biodiesel/diesel fuel blends reduced particulate matter (PM), total hydrocarbons (THC) and carbon monoxide (CO), while increasing oxides of nitrogen (NOx). The optimum blend of biodiesel and diesel fuel was a 20/80 biodiesel/diesel fuel blend. Retarded fuel injection timing reduced NOx emissions, while CO, THC and PM remained essentially constant with a 20/80 biodiesel/diesel fuel blend.

BIODIESEL EMISSIONS DATA FROM SERIES 60 DDC ENGINES

This study compared two Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC) Series 60 DDC engines that were fueled with various blends of biodiesel and petroleum diesel fuel to gain a deeper understanding of (1) exhaust emissions regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency; (2) selected fuel related properties, and (3) power/performance characteristics.The results of this study are in general agreement with studies previously conducted on two and four stroke diesel engines. Slight increases were noted for Nox exhaust gas emissions, while decreases were noted for THC, CO and particulate matter.

Fueling a Diesel Engine with Methyl-ester Soybean Oil

The Agricultural Engineering Department at the University of Missouri-Columbia has fueled a 1991 and a 1992 Dodge pickup 5.9 L (360 in.3) Cummins engine with methyl-ester soybean oil (soydiesel) for more than 80 467 km (50,000 mile). The 1991 pickup has been driven approximately 48 280 km (30,000 mile) and the 1992 pickup has been driven approximately 32 187 km (20,000 mile). Fueling the engines with 100% soydiesel increased engine power by 3% (1991 engine) and reduced power by 7% (1992 engine). The pickups averaged more than 6.9 km/L (16.7 mile/gal). Analysis of engine lubrication oil suggested that the engines were wearing at a normal rate. The black exhaust smoke normally observed when a diesel engine accelerates was reduced by 86% when the diesel engine was fueled with 100% soydiesel. Increased EPA exhaust emissions requirements for diesel engines have created much interest in the use of soydiesel as a fuel for diesel engines.

ALTERNATIVE FUEL TRANSIT BUS EVALUATION PROGRAM RESULTS

The objective of this program, which is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), is to provide an unbiased and comprehensive comparison of transit buses operating on alternative fuels and diesel fuel. The information for this comparison was collected from eight transit bus sites. The fuels studied are natural gas (CNG and LNG), alcohol (methanol and ethanol), biodiesel (20 percent blend), propane (only projected capital costs; no sites with heavy-duty propane engines were available for studying operating experience), and diesel. Data was collected on operations, maintenance, bus equipment configurations, emissions, bus duty cycle, and safety incidents. Representative and actual capital costs were collected for alternative fuels and were used as estimates for conversion costs. This paper presents preliminary results.

Biodiesel use and experience among state DOT agencies.

A survey of United States state transportation agencies was conducted in an effort to gather performance, storage, and economic information with the use of biodiesel blended fuel. It was observed that a high level of interest in this alternative fuel exists among state transportation agencies. Soy Methyl Ester is the dominant feedstock used as the biodiesel component. A 20% biodiesel composition was the most common blend level, with 78% of the responses reporting this level for tests or use. Blending procedures for biodiesel were not uniform or standardized. Cold weather behavior of biodiesel blended fuel was not found to be a widespread problem among state transportation agencies. The two most common deterrents to adoption were additional cost of the blended fuel and questions about cold weather behavior of the fuel.

Tractor PTO Horsepower, Filter Maintenance, and Tractor Engine Oil Analysis

Approximately 100 tractors were tested with a dynamometer to demonstrate an increase in horsepower and fuel efficiency when air and fuel filters were replaced according to manufacturer’s recommendations. A pint of oil was also drawn from each tractor and analyzed using a spectrophotometer to determine wear metal concentrations in each sample. Tests indicated that most tractors were well maintained.

FUELING DIRECT INJECTED DIESEL ENGINES WITH 2% BIODIESEL BLEND

The Agricultural Engineering Department at the University of Missouri-Columbia has monitored the fueling of a 1996 Dodge pickup truck equipped with a 5.9-L (360-in.3) Cummins engine with a 2% blend of methyl-ester soybean oil (soydiesel/biodiesel) and petroleum diesel fuel (B2) for more than 65,352 km (40,608 miles). The pickup averaged 7.91 km/L (18.61 mile/gal). Analysis of engine lubrication oil suggested that the engine was wearing at a normal rate. Exhaust emissions were measured at Iowa State University. The black exhaust smoke normally observed when a diesel engine accelerates was reduced each time the engine was fueled with B2, but CO, HC, and NOxwere not affected.

ENGINE OIL ANALYSIS OF BIODIESEL-FUELED ENGINES

The University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of Idaho monitored 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, and 1999 Dodge pickup trucks equipped with 5.9-L (360-in.3) Cummins diesel engines from 1991 through 2001. These pickups have been fueled with 0, 1%, 3%, 20%, 50%, and 100% blends of methyl-esters and ethyl-esters of soybean, canola, and rapeseed oil (biodiesel). Analysis of engine lubricating oil, taken when the oil was changed on the vehicles, was compared to the analysis of oil samples taken from 100% petroleum-fueled diesel engines. The findings indicated that the biodiesel and biodiesel blend-fueled engines were wearing at a normal rate.

RAPID COMMUNICATION: Impact of contemporary light sources on oxidation of fresh ground beef

Meat color is considered one of the driving factors in consumer purchasing decisions. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of 2 different lighting sources on color and lipid oxidation of ground beef patties in a controlled environment. USDA Select top rounds ( = 20) were processed to produce ground beef at 2 different fat levels (5 and 25%) and made into patties (113.4 g). Patties were packaged with oxygen permeable polyvinyl chloride, assigned to one of three lighting treatments (low UV fluorescent [FLO], light emitting diode [LED], and no light [DRK, negative control]), and placed within deli cases at 5°C. Patty removal for evaluation occurred on retail display d 1, 3, 5, and 7. Objective color measurements were obtained using a HunterLab MiniScan 45/0 LAV. These values were utilized to determine myoglobin redox forms as a measure of myoglobin oxidation. Additionally, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured to indicate lipid oxidation. Objective color measurement for a* (redness), decreased for all light treatments by retail display day ( < 0.0001). Oxymyoglobin values for all light treatments decreased daily but showed no differences between treatments until d 5 ( < 0.0001) where DRK > LED > FLO. Conversely, metmyoglobin values increased daily ( < 0.0001), but showed no differences between treatments until d 5 where FLO > LED > DRK. TBARS values increased by day for each fat percentage ( < 0.0001) with 5% fat patties having higher TBARS values indicating great oxidation occurring in the phospholipids than adipose tissues. Results indicate that light treatment affected discoloration and metmyoglobin formation in ground beef patties LED lighting may lead to increased meat quality shelf life in a retail setting.

Agricultural Mechanics Laboratory Management Competencies: A Review of Perceptions of Missouri Agricultural Science Teachers Concerning Importance and Performance Ability

Student laboratory learning has been an important component of the agricultural education model. Phipps and Osborne described a total agricultural education program as one that consists of three essential and interdependent components: classroom and laboratory instruction, supervised agricultural experience and the FFA (Phipps & Osborne, 1988). According to Osborne and Dyer, “agricultural laboratories provide opportunities for students to actively and experientially engage in scientific inquiry and application”(Osborne & Dyer, 2000). As the popularity of laboratory centered agricultural education classes escalate, it is imperative for agriculture teachers to have the knowledge and skills needed to manage educational laboratories. For secondary agricultural mechanics educators, laboratory management skills are an integral proficiency for laboratory instruction.