REVIEW - UTILIZATION OF RAPE SEED OIL, RAPE SEED OIL METHYLESTER OR DIESEL FUEL - EXHAUST-GAS EMISSIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL-EFFECTS

Based on the extensive literature about exhaust gas emissions of rape seed oil and its methylester (RME), the available data were compiled and distinguished with regard to the used fuels, motors and motor test procedures. To estimate the environmental relevance of the biofuels versus Diesel fuel, in a second step the effects of single exhaust components are described. In the result it becomes obvious that environmental advantages and disadvantages occur, when rape seed oil or RME are used, but RME seems to have less disadvantages than rape seed oil. To achieve a sound estimation of the environmental relevance of these biofuels it will be necessary to determine some more components of the non-limited exhaust gases. Also, at present the mutagenic, cancerogenic and cytotoxic potentials of the exhaust gas emissions derived from rape seed oil and RME are investigated unsufficiently. For a utilization of these alternative fuels in areas with high NOx levels it is very important to determine their ozone forming potentials in comparison with Diesel fuel.