Abstract
The engine performance and exhaust emissions of biodiesel produced from peanut oil must be evaluated to assess its potential as an alternative diesel fuel. In this study, two diesel engines rated at 14.2 kW (small) and 60 kW (large) were operated on pure peanut oil biodiesel (PME) and its blends with a reference diesel (REFDIESEL). Results showed that comparable power and torque were delivered by both the small and large engines when ran on pure PME than on REFDIESEL while brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) was found to be higher in pure PME. Higher exhaust concentrations of nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO2) and total hydrocarbons (THC) and lower carbon monoxide (CO) emissions were observed in the small engine when using pure PME. Lower CO2, CO and THC emissions were obtained when running the large engine with pure PME. Blends with low PME percentage showed insignificant changes in both engine performance and exhaust emissions as compared with the reference diesel. Comparison with soybean biodiesel indicates similar engine performance. Thus, blends of PME with diesel may be used as a supplemental fuel for steady-state non-road diesel engines to take advantage of the lubricity of biodiesel as well as contributing to the goal of lowering the dependence to petroleum diesel.
Highlights
Growing concerns over possible scarcity in petroleum fuel reserves as well as increasing awareness on global environmental issues prompted the development and utilization of non-petroleum based fuels that are clean, sustainable and renewable [1,2]
This study aims to: 1) assess fuel properties of the peanut oil biodiesel in accordance with ASTM standards; 2) determine the effect of blending percentage of biodiesel on the characteristic engine performance; 3) determine the relationship between pollutant concentrations (i.e. nitrogen oxides (NOx), total hydrocarbons (THC), carbon monoxide (CO) and CO2) in a diesel engine exhaust and the percentage of biodiesel in fuel blends; and 4) compare performance with exhaust emissions when using peanut oil methyl ester (PME), soybean oil methyl ester (SME) and a reference diesel (REFDIESEL)
The engine performance and exhaust emissions were evaluated for a small and large engine operated on pure PME and its blends with a reference diesel
Summary
Growing concerns over possible scarcity in petroleum fuel reserves as well as increasing awareness on global environmental issues prompted the development and utilization of non-petroleum based fuels that are clean, sustainable and renewable [1,2]. Biodiesel is a mixture of monoalkyl esters of long chain fatty acids (FAME) derived from a renewable lipid feedstock, such as vegetable oil or animal fat [1,2,4]. It can be produced from the transesterification of any triglyceride feedstock, which includes oil-bearing crops, animal fats and algal lipids [5]. The feedstock commonly utilized for biodiesel production depends upon the country’s geographical, climatic and economic conditions
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