Cost-Effectiveness of Diesel Fuel Modifications for Particulate Control

A methodology for assessing the cost-effectiveness of diesel fuel modification as a particulate control technique is presented. The cost-effectiveness of three diesel fuel modification scenarios have been calculated and compared with the cost-effectiveness of alternative particulate control strategies. The three fuel modifications which were evaluated are: (a) reduced sulfur content; (b) reduced sulfur content in conjunction with reduced aromatics content and; (c) reduced sulfur and aromatics contents in conjunction with reduced ninety percent distillation temperature.

Sulfur content is the only fuel property which can be altered to affect diesel-derived sulfate particulate levels in the atmosphere. The cost-effectiveness of fuel sulfur reduction is compared to the cost-effectiveness of control measures for other sources of sulfate particulate.

Aromatics content and ninety percent point reductions affect only the carbonaceous fraction of diesel particulate. Available data indicates that the cost-effectiveness of these fuel modifications is at least an order of magnitude poorer than EPA estimates for the cost-effectiveness of particulate trap/oxidizers and related engine modifications.