Comparison of emissions and engine performance of safflower and commercial biodiesels

Abstract

Safflower oilseed needs to be studied in detail in relation to the production of biodiesel and its application in engines to be an alternative to commercial biodiesel used around the world. The aim of this study is to compare safflower biodiesel with commercial biodiesel in terms of emissions and performance of an engine using blends biodiesel (B11, B15, B30, and B100). Commercial biodiesel consists of soybean oil and fat. The tests were performed on a single-cylinder, four-stroke, naturally aspirated, and direct-injection diesel engine at four engine loads with a constant engine speed of 3000 rpm. The comparison shows that safflower biodiesel has relatively closer fuel properties to commercial biodiesel than those of diesel oil. The engine power was less affected by increasing engine loads and increasing safflower biodiesel blends compared to commercial biodiesel. Safflower B11 reduced the specific consumption by 2% in relation to diesel (D100) at a load of 3000 W. Safflower biodiesel B11 showed lower carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and exhaust gas temperature (EGT) compared to commercial biodiesel at high engine loads. The use of safflower biodiesel and commercial biodiesel blend B11 reduced NOx emissions by 15% at a high load of 3000 W. Therefore, safflower biodiesel is a promising alternative to diesel, although it has a higher production cost.