Project number: NCST-19-21

Funding source: US DOT

Contract number: 69A3551747114

Funding amount: $100,000

Performance period: 5/16/2020 to 5/15/2022

Link to final report: https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4x30z49z

Research Products: https://ncst.ucdavis.edu/project/recycling-diesel-soot-particles-use-activated-carbon-lithium-ion-batteries

The objective of this proposal is to demonstrate an aftermarket "retrofit kit" for small (10-30kW) diesel generators, capable of capturing particulate matter (PM) emissions (i.e., soot) to levels below Tier 4 standards using electrostatic precipitation (ESP). These 10-30kW diesel generators are typically used on refrigerated shipping containers and truck refrigeration units (TRUs). This project will demonstrate the ability to capture and recycle these soot particles for use as activated carbon in Li ion batteries. The ultimate outcome is a near-zero emissions product that can be deployed in California and throughout the country. In addition to retrofits of older non-compliant refrigeration units, this pollution control device can be incorporated into new TRUs (e.g., through Carrier Transicold or ThermoKing), enabling CARB and EPA emissions standards to be met with a cheaper engine. Furthermore, the research team is anticipating further, more strict regulations to be implemented by CARB in the near future, which will impose even more stringent emissions requirements on diesel-powered truck refrigeration units. In addition to the remediation provided by the highly reactive chemical species in the plasma (e.g., atomic oxygen), an electrostatic precipitator is used to collect the charged particulate matter. If successful, this project will provide a robust method for recycling toxic particulate material (i.e., soot) from diesel exhaust to be used as activated carbon in Li ion batteries.