Effect of the use of additives in biodiesel blends on the performance and opacity of a diesel engine

Abstract

In this study is to evaluate the mechanical performance and the environmental impact of a diesel engine operating with conventional diesel, diesel/biodiesel blends (B5) and additive (B5A) with the objective to analyze the effect of the use of additives in biodiesel blends on torque, power and opacity. For the investigation, mechanical and environmental tests are performed using updated and calibrated automotive diagnostic equipment with the application of each fuels in two vehicles at 2220 mamsl, and finally the results are presented at through statistical analysis software. The results obtained show that the best biodiesel blend is B5A, with which a non-significant reduction of 0.4% in torque and 0.26% of power is obtained, in addition to a decrease of 58% in opacity compared to the values obtained with conventional diesel. The properties of the additive make it possible to reduce the disadvantages that biodiesel presents on the mechanical performance of the vehicle, increasing the power value by 1.67% and the torque 1.26% with an additional reduction of 20.2% to the opacity values, compared to those obtained with B5 blend. With the results obtained, it is concluded that the organic-metallic catalytic effects of the additive allow a more complete and efficient combustion process to be obtained, increasing engine performance and reducing the quantity of polluting gas emissions.