Effectiveness of Ethyl Acetate, 1-Octanol, and Soy Biodiesel in Stabilizing Ethanol–Diesel Fuel Blends and Performance of Compression Ignition Engine on Stabilized Fuel Blends

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate ethyl acetate, soy biodiesel, and 1-octanol as surfactants for stabilization of ethanol–diesel fuel blends. The evaluation was based on the temperature stability and engine performance of ethanol–diesel fuel blends stabilized by selected surfactants. Among the three selected surfactants, 1-octanol was most effective in stabilizing ethanol–diesel fuel blends. Out of 20 ethanol–diesel fuel blends prepared with 1-octanol as surfactant, only 3 blends showed distinct phase separation; the rest 17 remained stable in the entire temperature range of 0–45 °C. At the rated engine speed, eight ethanol–diesel fuel blends showed similar power-producing capability as that of diesel. The engine running on diesel developed a power of 3.71 kW, while the engine brake power with ethanol–diesel fuel blends was in the range of 3.67–3.74 kW at the rated load condition. The tested fuel blends resulted in slightly higher fuel consumption and increased emission of unburnt hydrocarbons as compared to the diesel fuel. The tested fuel blends had comparable thermal efficiency and acceptable UBHC and NOx emissions compared to diesel.