Effects of Canola Oil Biodiesel Fuel Blends on Combustion, Performance, and Emissions Reduction in a Common Rail Diesel Engine

Sam Yoon,Nag Choi,Han Kim,Min Kim

doi:10.3390/en7128132

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the effects of canola oil biodiesel (BD) to improve combustion and exhaust emissions in a common rail direct injection (DI) diesel engine using BD fuel blended with diesel. Experiments were conducted with BD blend amounts of 10%, 20%, and 30% on a volume basis under various engine speeds. As the BD blend ratio increased, the combustion pressure and indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) decreased slightly at the low engine speed of 1500 rpm, while they increased at the middle engine speed of 2500 rpm. The brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) increased at all engine speeds while the carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) emissions were considerably reduced. On the other hand, the nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions only increased slightly. When increasing the BD blend ratio at an engine speed of 2000 rpm with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rates of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%, the combustion pressure and IMEP tended to decrease. The CO and PM emissions decreased in proportion to the BD blend ratio. Also, the NOx emissions decreased considerably as the EGR rate increased whereas the BD blend ratio only slightly influenced the NOx emissions.

Highlights

Over the past few decades, global warming has intensified due to the drastic increase in greenhouse gases (GHG) produced by fossil fuels
These results demonstrate that the combustion pressure with BD 0 is slightly higher at the low engine speed of 1500 rpm
Experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of the BD blend ratio and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on the characteristics of combustion and exhaust emissions in a common rail diesel engine

Summary

Introduction

Over the past few decades, global warming has intensified due to the drastic increase in greenhouse gases (GHG) produced by fossil fuels. Growing concerns of environmental pollution caused by the extensive use of conventional fossil fuels has led to the search for more environmentally friendly and renewable fuels. Biofuels such as alcohols and biodiesel have been proposed as alternatives for internal combustion engines [1,2]. Ileri et al [20] experimentally analyzed the effect of antioxidants on the engine performance and exhaust emissions of a diesel engine fueled with a canola oil methyl ester (COME) and diesel blend They reported that the addition of antioxidants did not cause any negative effect on the basic fuel properties of COME blended with diesel

Methods

Results

Conclusion