Effect of emulsified fuels based on fatty acid distillates on single cylinder diesel engine performance and exhaust emissions

Abstract

In this contribution an experimental investigation concerning the effect of emulsified fuels based on fatty acid distillates (FAD) on a single cylinder diesel engine performance and exhaust emissions was investigated. The single cylinder diesel engine assessment was conducted under selected test conditions, fixing the engine speed and varying the load. Emulsified fuels were formulated using blends of fatty acid distillates in diesel fuel as continuous phase, as well as deionized water as dispersed phase and Nonyl phenol with 8mol of ethylene oxide as surfactant. Over these conditions the brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), brake thermal efficiency (BTE), ignition delay (ID), rate of heat release (ROHR), cumulative heat release, nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbons (HC) were analyzed. The results indicate that the use of emulsified fuels produce increases in the specific fuel consumption and decreases in the brake thermal efficiency for emulsions compared to diesel fuel and a blend of 30% FAD in diesel. On the other hand, later starts of combustion and retarded ROHR for emulsified fuels compared to diesel fuel and a blend of 30% FAD in diesel were obtained. Further, lower NOx and higher HC and CO emissions for emulsified fuels were reported.