The Deutz Agripower engines of the series TCD 7.8 L6, TCD 6.1 L6 and TCD 4.1 L4 can be approved for operation with biodiesel as a pure fuel. This is the result of the project successfully completed by Deutz AG. In the course of this project, the engines were subjected to extensive field tests in practice, with a conclusive result for Deutz common rail injection systems and exhaust gas aftertreatment systems. The Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP) particularly welcomes this result, as this project continues the efforts undertaken in projects previously funded by UFOP and resulting in approvals of Deutz engines.

From the point of view of UFOP, verification for meeting the exhaust stage EU COM IIIB applicable since 2011 with biodiesel as a pure fuel is given upon successful completion of this project. This exhaust stage requires the use of exhaust gas aftertreatment systems. Here, Deutz AG offers around 4 to 8 liters of capacity in agricultural applications for the so-called SCR technique (selective catalytic reduction). The SCR system used operates with a 32.5 percent aqueous urea solution (Adblue), which is injected into the exhaust gas upstream of the catalytic converter with the aim of converting nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen.

Despite the very low particle limit value of 25 mg per kWh that applies to this exhaust stage, the required reduction of the particle emission is ensured without a particle filter in the way of an optimum engine technology and engine setting. The particle lowering effect benefits the biodiesel here. The joint study confirms that the exhaust gas aftertreatment is exposed to alkali and alkaline earth metals as well as phosphorous in the biodiesel. The requirement for approval is a high biodiesel quality, as it has been repeatedly documented in the annual test reports resulting from the unannounced product inspections in the membership circle of the German Association Quality Management Biodiesel (AGQM). With these approvals, Deutz AG recommends this quality level, which surpasses the requirements of the quality standard for biodiesel—EN 14214.

In its report, the engine manufacturer strongly urges for the further reduction of metal contents and improvement in the measuring methods required for this. For the engine industry, the quality assurance of biodiesel is the trend-setting key for the granting and future retention of approvals in light of ever-increasing emission requirements. Therefore, from the point of view of UFOP, the biodiesel industry is well advised not only to proceed with the existing quality policy, but to strengthen its efforts. 

All engine approvals for biodiesel applications in Deutz engines and the special boundary conditions for using biodiesel are discussed in detail in the updated Technical Bulletin TR 0199-99-01218/1. 

The final report is available for download at www.ufop.de. 

The technical bulletins are available at: 
http://www.Deutz.com/service/betriebsstoffe_br_und_additive/kraftstoffe.de.html 
http://www.Deutz.com/service/operating_liquids_brand_additives/fuels.en.html