LAUSR

The present study aims to quantify black carbon (BC), particulate matter (PM1.0 and PM2.5, particles with diameter ≤ 1.0 and 2.5 μm, respectively) levels and their variability during the combustion of biodiesel/diesel blends used in heavy-duty vehicles. The samplings were conducted in the years 2014, 2016 and 2017 inside a semi closed bus station, a direct source of emission from engines burning blends of B5 to B8 biodiesel/diesel. Diesel engines using B5 and B6 presented a high contribution of BC in PM1.0 fraction representing 95 and 98% in mass, respectively. Results obtained from engines fueled with B7 and B8 diesel blends showed about 47% BC mass contribution in fine PM. The ratio PM1.0/PM2.5 remained relatively constant showing that the fine PM mass did not change significantly. Those measurements are important to follow the behavior of the addition of biodiesel in the diesel fuel as well as to help indicate a fingerprint of BC and PM2.5 concentrations in biodiesel increase.