Following laboratory analyses of butylal, which suggested that it could be blended into diesel at concentrations of up to 20 m-% (link to the article or news, if possible), this mixture has now been tested on an engine of a tractor. The engine of the Case JX1070c was tested at eight operating points with varying engine speeds and loads. Particulate matter, NOx and COx emissions, as well as fuel consumption, were measured.
A comparison of B0 diesel with blends containing 10 and 20 m-% of butylal showed that the blending can reduce particulate emissions at speed-load ratios that result in an unfavourable air-fuel ratio. However, as butylal has a lower calorific value than conventional diesel, fuel consumption increases slightly.
A very old Euro II-compliant model was tested, since renewable fuels must also be compatible with older existing engines, and because newer exhaust systems already significantly reduce particulate matter through exhaust gas treatment.