Experimental investigation of elastomer compatibility and engine performance of biodiesel derived from deodorizer distillate

Abstract

Deodorizer distillate is the primary waste product of the processing of vegetable oils. A two-step process, involving esterification and transesterification, was carried out on the deodorizer distillate to convert it into biodiesel. The properties of the produced biodiesel were measured and found to be comparable with diesel. The current study includes the compatibility of elastomers and the engine performance of biodiesel. The first section discusses the stability and degradation of several automotive elastomers with biodiesel according to Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standards. This study (as per SAE J1748) presents the degrading behavior of automotive elastomers with biodiesel using a different scientific technique. A static immersion test was conducted to study the degradation behavior of the elastomers when immersed in conventional diesel and biodiesel as per the standards mentioned above. The results show the stability and degradability of six different types of elastomers when used with biodiesel. Viton and neoprene showed more degradation in biodiesel and diesel than other elastomers. Nitrile butadine rubber (NBR) showed about 715% elongation for diesel and 703% elongation for biodiesel, while polyvinyl chloride (PVC) alone showed an increase in tensile strength of 7.63% and 15.2% for diesel and biodiesel, respectively. Regarding combustion and emissions performance, the biodiesel showed satisfactory results.