The aim of this article is to evaluate the potential use of biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil in Mexico City. The study is divided in two main areas: the analysis of a waste cooking oil collection pilot project conducted in food markets of a Mexico City region; and the exhaust emissions performance of biodiesel blends measured in buses of the Mexico City public bus transportation network (RTP). Results from the waste cooking oil collection pilot project show that oil quantities disposed depend upon the type of food served and the operational practices in a cuisine establishment. Food markets' waste cooking oil disposal rate from fresh oil is around 10%, but with a very high standard deviation. Emission tests were conducted using the Ride-Along-Vehicle-Emissions-Measuring System in two different types of buses while travelling a regular route. Results shows that the use of biodiesel blends reduces emissions only for buses that have exhaust gas recirculation systems, as analysed by repeated measure analysis of variance. The potential use in Mexico City of waste cooking oil for biodiesel is estimated to cover 2175 buses using a B10 blend.
Measurements of off-road vehicles used in construction and agricultural activities in Mexico using on-board portable emissions measurements systems (PEMS) showed that these vehicles can be major sources of black carbon and NO. Emission factors varied significantly under real-world operating conditions, suggesting the need for detailed vehicle operation data for accurately estimating emissions inventories. Tests conducted in a selected number of sampled vehicles indicated that diesel particle filters (DPFs) are an effective technology for control of diesel particulate emissions and can provide potentially large emissions reduction in Mexico if widely implemented.
In the Mexico City, Mexico, metropolitan area (MCMA), particulate matter pollution is estimated to cause 4,000 excess deaths and the loss of 2.5 million days from work each year. Emissions from diesel-powered buses and trucks are a major source of this air pollution. This paper summarizes the results from a pilot project aimed at testing whether advanced pollution-reducing technologies for diesel trucks and buses currently in use in the United States and Europe will work on Mexican buses and under Mexico City operating conditions. Diesel engines are the workhorses of buses in MCMA and many other regions; operators, vehicle and engine makers, and fuel suppliers have waited for each other to offer improved technologies. In this pilot project, 20 working buses in the Red de Transporte de Pasajeros del Distrito Federal (the Mexico City Diesel Bus Company) fleet were retrofitted with emissions control equipment and fueled with ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel (ULSD). Results from emissions testing demonstrate that catalyst-based, diesel particulate filters can reduce particulate matter mass emissions by almost 90%. The project demonstrates that it is possible to have extremely clean buses operating in Mexico City by using commercially available technology and ULSD fuel. Even under Mexico City operating conditions and at Mexico City's altitude of 2,240 m, the existing buses in commercial service can greatly reduce the emissions of the pollutants dangerous to human health.
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