Posted July 28, 2010

University of Illinois researchers are exploring the use of electrochemical sensors on diesel vehicles to detect specific contaminants in the fuel, such as sulfur or sulfur-based compounds, contaminants that existing sensors may not detect.

The research team is contributing to the development of a sensor that, when placed in the fuel line prior to where the fuel enters the engine, the electrochemical sensor can detect any contaminants in, or other problems with, the fuel, according to Alan Hansen, professor of agricultural and biological engineering at the UI and lead researcher on the project.

"If one adds biodiesel as a blended fuel to the diesel, we're trying to make it determine the quality and quantity of biodiesel entering the engine," he said. "Other contaminants in the biodiesel are of interest to us such as methanol, glycerol and so forth. Water, if mixed with biodiesel, could be an issue as well."

Sulfur contamination is critical to monitor in diesel fuel as it can contribute to the release of harmful exhaust emissions. Sulfur damages the catalysts in filters that are part of the engine's aftertreatment system. Such filters are needed to comply with the U.S. EPA's strict diesel emissions regulations.

Though there is isn't concrete preliminary results to report, Hansen said the research team is working in partnership with an undisclosed engine manufacturer where it reports its data. The goal of refining the electrochemical pathway for its application as an even more reliable sensor monitoring system than what's currently in today's commercially available diesel vehicles is the team's ultimate goal, according to Hansen.

"We've found that the commercial sensors out there have provided good results too," Hansen said. "Electrochemical sensing is just one possibility we're experimenting with. One can see the potential benefits of doing this of course, but we have a ways to go before it becomes a robust and reliable process."