VW backing diesel in green drive (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Hugh Pym
BBC News business correspondent
***
The Bluemotion, it says, will deliver more than 70 miles to the gallon - a figure which should deliver more than 700 miles from its 45-litre diesel tank.
***
VW's central claim for its new baby is an even greener performance than the hybrids.

The Bluemotion is said to emit 102 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre.

This is below the Toyota Prius at 104g/km and the Honda Civic hybrid at 109.

VW's competitors, however, counter with the argument that diesels produce other damaging pollutants, known as particulates.
***
more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6421961.stm

[madrchsod]

1. particulates can be removed in the exhaust pipe

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/pdfs/success/self_cleaning_diesel.pdf
self_cleaning_diesel.pdf (application/pdf Object)

http://www.swri.org/3pubs/brochure/d03/Plasma/home.htm
SwRI NOx/Particulate Removal from Exhaust with a Plasma Flyer

[lumberjack_jeff]

2. Given that every single gram of CO2 that the prius emits...

... came from fossil fuels, diesels, which can better use biofuels, make sense.

[jpak]

3. Can it burn B100 biodiesel???

n/t

[phantom power]

4. Any diesel can burn B100, can't it?

[Strelnikov_]

6. For A Short Time, Then Problems May Emerge

Current US VW warranty is B5 max. So, I am holding off at higher than this for a few more years.

Seems to depend on the model year. The impression I get is that the older TDI's (pre-PD) are more forgiving of BD.

The problem mainly seems to be lax adherence to standards. All it takes is one bad tank to take out some expensive parts. Also, the last time I checked there was no ASTM standard for 100% BD as a fuel. The current ASTM addresses BD as an additive.

Also, there seems to be evidence of greatly increased rates of injector fouling from using high concentrations of BD.

The above, for me, is as troubling as the PHEV Prius. Toyota could produce one tomorrow if they want. Similarly, VW could adjust the TDI design to make it more amenable to BD usage. Instead, they seem to be going in the direction of power (while holding the mileage, however).

Supposedly, 20 yr. old Mercedes diesels can burn SVO without problem. It is just a matter of designing the diesel system to be more amenable to a variable fuel source.


That said, I will not hesitate to run B50 (at warranty expiration) as my due diligence indicates that this concentration should mitigate most problems observed in BD usage in the newer TDI engines.

And when the smash comes, I can store 100 gal. of BD, D2, whatever in my garage without much worry, other than theft. Couldn't say the same for UNL, ethanol.

[yourout]

5. Most diesels made in the last 5 to 10 years could burn B100.

The main problem is gelling of B100 at temps below 40 Degress F. That and NO2 emissions are higher. Particulate emissions are almost nonexistant in Bio.