Assessment of density and kinematic viscosity of two methyl ester blends at elevated temperatures

Abstract

Fuel properties are essential components in the performance and emission of internal combustion engines. To measure density, viscosity and other properties of methyl esters and two methyl esters blends in the temperature range of 25°C-95°C. Experimental investigations is carried out using standard equipments and methodology. Test fuels considered are Pongamia, Jatropha and Simarouba biodiesels and blends of two biodiesels in different volume fraction of 0% to 100%. Density of Pongamia-Jatropha and Pongamia-Simarouba biodiesel blends increases linearly with increase in volume fraction of Pongamia methyl esters at all the temperatures. Density of Jatropha-Simarouba biodiesel blends increases with increase in volume percentage of Jatropha in the blends. The kinematic viscosities of blends are found to reduce almost logarithmically with increase in temperature. Viscosity of the blends lies between the constituent fuels. The measured value of density and viscosity is correlated as function of blend percentage and temperature through an empirical relation. The correlations developed are unique and are model equations. The maximum % density variation between the experimental results and estimated results is 0.4%, where as percentage viscosity variation between experimental results and estimated results from correlation is 5%.