Effects of ethyl proxitol (1-ethoxy-2-propanol) additive on combustion and emission characteristics of biodiesel blends

Abstract

The cold filter plugging point (CFPP) value of biodiesel fuel blends need to be improved because of it has been reported that utilizing high concentrations of biodiesel blends in cold climates can cause major issues. Therefore, the main objective of the study is to improve CFPP value of biodiesel blends using ethyl proxitol additive. It is also to examine combustion and emission of the blends behavior. Biodiesel blends were prepared as; 5% ethyl proxitol-10% biodiesel-85% ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) named as E5B10 and 5% ethyl proxitol-20% biodiesel-75% ULSD named as E5B20 fuel. These fuel blends were compared with ULSD fuel in a compression ignition engine at a constant engine speed of 1500 rev/min and four different loads (idle, 1, 2, and 3 bar BMEP) of eddy current dynamometer. The addition of ethyl proxitol led to a decrease in in-cylinder pressure and temperature due to an about 1˚ later SOC and 2˚ earlier EOC compared to ULSD. The pressure rise rate was slightly higher compared to ULSD at both low and high loads, with a difference of about 1 bar per degree. As a result, these blends with improved CFPP value can be used in cold climates.