Cleaner Diesel

Wired.com's Autopia has an article on diesel additives.

Monday, 22 May 2006
Nanoparticles Clean Diesel

British company Oxonica is selling a nano-based diesel additive that reduces emissions and increases fuel efficiency in the U.K. and Asia and hopes to bring it to the U.S.

Envirox can increase fuel efficiency by 10 percent and reduce emissions by 15 percent. According to Oxonica CEO Kevin Matthews, the magic is in introducing 5 parts per million of cerium oxide into fuel to enhance the burn by reducing the fuel deposits on the pistons and cylinders. The 10 nanometer particles of cerium oxide are coated to prevent clumping, and the additive works with low and high levels of sulfur in the diesel.

The additive is being used in the Philippines, and by British bus company Stagecoach. Matthews said Envirox has been submitted to the EPA for testing, and approval isn't likely until at least next year.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory is also working on a cerium oxide additive to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.

However, there are also concerns about cerium oxide being released into the air and inhaled.

"Studies of cerium injected systemically have shown that, once in the circulation, cerium can cause liver toxicity with a NOAEL of 1 mg/kg after a single intravenous injection and a LOAEL of 2 mg/kg for effects on liver detoxifying enzymes..." says a report of an animal study from the Health Effects Institute.

While nanotech has potential to greatly improve the quality of life, there is still much to be learned about what happens if the teeny bits get into our air, water and food.