A simulation study about the impact of biodiesel use on the atmosphere of Rio de Janeiro city

Abstract This study evaluates the impact of biofuels on the air quality of the city of Rio de Janeiro using an air quality model based on the trajectory model OZIPR associated with the SAPRC chemical model. The results show that the increase in biodiesel use reduces ozone levels in the atmosphere by 10.2 %, using Biodiesel with Ethanol and Diesel mixture (BE-Diesel), in 5.28 %, using B20 mixture and only 0.33 % using B10. An increase was observed in NOx emissions of 5.66 and 2.83 % for BE-Diesel mixture and B20, respectively. The low ozone levels are attributed to its consumption by NO. The CO concentration reductions for BE-Diesel, B20 and B10 were 13.11, 6.56 and 4.12 %, respectively. The presence of oxygen atoms within the biodiesel chain leads to a better combustion process, reducing CO emissions.