Comparison of relevant exhaust gas emissions from biodiesel and fossil diesel fuel

Fossil diesel fuel and rape seed oil methylester are compared with regard to exhaust gas emissions and effects of these emissions on human health and the environment. Test were carried out using an agricultural tractor and a test engine. The aspects treated are: use of blends, particle sizes, mutagenic potency of the particulate matter, and ozone precursors. Whereas slight disadvantages of biodiesel were found concerning NOx and ozone precursors, a significant soot reduction were observed that is connected with a lower mutagenic potency of the particulate matter.