Ethanol animal fat emulsions as a diesel engine fuel – Part 1: Formulations and influential parameters

Abstract

This paper focuses on effective solution to improve the combustion of low quality animal fat by making stable emulsions with water. Animal fat emulsions are prepared by mixing the fat with water, surfactant and co-surfactant. Ethanol is chosen as the co-surfactant because of its dilution ability. SPAN 83 also called Sorbitan Sesquiolate is used as the surfactant because it well stabilizes and forms stable animal fat emulsions. Emulsions and micro-emulsions are prepared for different co-surfactant/surfactant (C/S) ratios. A number of formulations are made and the Sauter mean diameter of water droplets are estimated using electron microscope images. Results are presented in pseudo ternary diagrams. Influence of different parameters affecting the emulsion characteristics are studied experimentally. According to the stability, structure, viscosity, fat content and economical aspects, the optimum emulsion is found as the emulsion with 36.4% of ethanol, 3.6% of SPAN 83, 10% of water and 50% of animal fat by volume.