An engine testing was conducted to investigate the impact of biodiesel on fuel consumption, exhaust emissions and SCR catalyst performance using a PNLT HD diesel engine fitted with a DPF and urea-SCR system. The fuel was a B20 blend of a palm oil methyl ester-based biodiesel (PME) and ultra-low sulfur diesel. Using B20 slightly increases engine-out NOx emission and decreases the NOx reduction of SCR. This results in a 6 to 43% increase in tailpipe NOx emissions, depending on emission test cycles. The SCR performance degradation with B20 is most likely to be caused by the decreased NO2/NO molar feed ratio due to the suppression of in-cylinder NO oxidation by the reduced flame temperatures.

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This study was focused on the trends of occupant injuries influenced by age and gender during automobile frontal crashes. ITARDA data from 2009 to 2011 was employed for the trend analysis. The most important finding was high frequencies of major injuries to the thorax and abdomen for over 26-year-old male and female occupants (drivers and passengers) in vehicles with seat belts and air-bags.

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