Feasibility analysis of using novel Sepanta biodiesel fuel as an additive to gas micro‐turbine fuels: An experimental study

Abstract

AbstractThe population growth, causing the increasing energy demand, the lack of fossil fuels, and its pollution, has become the most important human challenges in years. One of the main goals in using fossil fuels is electricity generation in the utilities, as they can be used in many different types. Gas power plants are one of the ways of generating electricity in many areas, and they are based on gas turbines. The current study aims to define a novel biodiesel fuel named, Sepanta; to improve the combustion conditions of diesel fuel in a gas turbine by using an Iranian endemic plant: Salvia leriifolia seeds oil. In the present research, Sepanta biodiesel has been added to the diesel Euro 4 in different concentrations (20%, 40%, and 60%). Firstly, to determine the differentiation of Sepanta fuel from pure diesel, experiments were carried out such as determining the thermal value and carbon percentage, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen determination in the fuel mixed with Sepanta, and then, in the lake of Sepanta, using the pure diesel, determination of the optimal points has been carried out. The results showed the use of 60% Sepanta reduced the 27% release of unburned hydrocarbons and the use of 40% Sepanta reduced 33% nitrogen oxides in the way to approve the ideal Sepanta performance as an additive to the defined biodiesel.