Effect of Bio-polymer Additive on the Fuel Properties of Palm Biodiesel and on Engine Performance Analysis and Exhaust Emission

Abstract

Biodiesel fuel produced from palm oil is becoming cost competitive with fossil fuels due to the massive resource on Southeast Asia and biodegradable, and environmental friendliness over fossil fuels. The aim of this work was to seek and improve the palm biodiesel fuel blends as possibly high fraction for supplying diesel engine based on modified bio-fuels with bio-polymer additive. This investigation considered simultaneously about the engine performance, the reduction of gas exhaust emissions and also compliance with the main regulation standards of ASTM and SEA. The use of bio-polymer additive in palm biodiesel blends effects on engine performance and reduction of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitric oxide (NOx) emissions. A chassis dynamometer used under the simulation of road load conditions with eddy current brake was used to measure engine brake power, engine torque, wheel power, and specific fuel consumption. Exhaust emission values were measured directly by sampling from exhaust pipe with a probe of the analyzers. The experimental results show that the B40 blend with 0.1 g bio-polymer additive the most effective improvement of properties included kinematic viscosity, specific gravity, flash point, and midpoint boiling temperature under criterion of ASTM D445, ASTM D1298, ASTM D93, and ASTM D86, respectively. Therefore, modified B40 fuel is strongly possible to be an alternative fuel for a diesel engine. In the term of engine performance, average brake power and engine torque under engine speed tests from 1500rpm to 4000 rpm slightly decreased by 2.80% and 2.97%, respectively as compared to B2 reference test even though brake specific fuel consumption increased by 20.46%. However, it was found that gas exhaust emissions obviously decreased in diesel engine fuelled palm biodiesel blends additive. As compared to B2 reference test, B40 with 0.1 g dosage obtains the great reduction in NOx, CO, and CO2 emissions by 63.17%, 14.33%, and 53.25%, respectively under the engine speed at 3000 rpm. The study suggests that B40 or other less palm biodiesel fractions with bio-polymer additive has the high potentiality for as a clean and alternative fuel.