Characterization and Speciation of Fine Particulate Matter Inside the Public Transport Buses Running on Bio-Diesel

014465182009Final report.PDFTech ReportMIOH UTC AF21 2010-FinalAir pollutionAir pollution sourcesPollutionExhaust gasesPollutantsPolluting gasesEvaporative emissionsPollution controlAir quality managementParticulatesBiodiesel fuelsBusesBuses by motive powerDiesel busesNatural gas busesPublic passenger vehiclesResearch HubAir pollutionAir pollution sourcesPollutionExhaust gasesPollutantsPolluting gasesEvaporative emissionsPollution controlAir quality managementParticulatesBiodiesel fuelsBusesBuses by motive powerDiesel busesNatural gas busesPublic passenger vehiclesOhioUnited StatesMichigan Ohio University Transportation CenterKumar, AshokShandilya, Kaushik K.Michigan Ohio University Transportation CenterUniversity of Toledo. Dept. of Civil EngineeringUniversity Transportation Centers Program (U.S.)NTL-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT-Air QualityNTL-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT-Alternative FuelsNTL-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT-Environment ImpactsNTL-PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION-Bus TransportationNTL-PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION-Transit Energy and EnvironmentUS Transportation CollectionAir pollution with respect to particulate matter was investigated in Toledo, Ohio, USA, a city of approximately 300,000, in 2009. Two study buses were selected to reflect typical exposure conditions of passengers while traveling in the bus. Monitoring inside the bus was done in the spring and summer seasons. Particulate matter levels found inside the bus were well below the USEPA standards. Scanning electron microscope analysis was used to identify the possible sources. Particle shape and size distribution analysis was conducted and aspect ratios were determined; the results will be used to find out the potential particle dynamics inside the bus. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were analyzed to determine potential carcinogenic matter exposure to passengers. The absence of carcinogens in all the samples suggests healthful air quality levels inside the bus. SEM methodology is a valuable tool for studying the distribution of particulate pollutants. These patterns represented the morphological characteristics of single inhalable particles in the air inside the bus in Toledo. The size distribution was generally multi-modal for the ULSD but uni-modal for the B20-fueled bus. The aspect ratio found for different filters collected inside the bus fueled by both the B20 blend and ULSD ranged 2.4-3.6 and 2.3- 2.9 in average value with standard deviation range 0.9-7.4 and 1-7.3 respectively. The square and oblong particles represented the single inhalable particles\u2019 morphology characteristics in the air of a Toledo transit bus