The use of biodiesel blends on a non-road generator and its impacts on ozone formation potentials based on carbonyl emissions

In this study, emissions of carbonyl compounds from the use B50 and B100 were measured with a non-road diesel generator. A total of 25 carbonyl compounds were identified in the exhaust, including 10 with laboratory-synthesized standards. Formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein were found as the most abundant carbonyl compounds emitted for both diesel and biodiesel. The sulphur content of diesel fuels and the source of biodiesel fuels were not found to have a significant impact on the emission of carbonyl compounds. The overall maximum incremental reactivity (MIR) was the highest at 0 kW and slightly increased from 25 to 75 kW. The MIR of B100 was the highest, followed by diesel and B50, which is consistent with the emission rates of total carbonyl compounds. This suggests that the use of biodiesel blends may be more beneficial to the environment than using pure biodiesel. •Carbonyl compound emission from biodiesel blends combustion on a non-road generator.•25 compounds were identified, including 10 by laboratory-synthesized standards.•Sources of biodiesel have insignificant impacts on carbonyl compounds emission.•Sulphur contents have insignificant impacts on carbonyl compounds emission.•MIR of emitted carbonyls decreases in the following order: B100, diesel, B50. The study found that B50 resulted in lower total carbonyl emission rates and ozone formation potential resultant from these compounds, whereas both increased with B100.