Abstract
Alternative fuels, like biodiesel, are being utilized as a renewable energy source and an effective substitute for the continuously depleting supply of mineral diesel as they have similar combustion characteristics. However, the use of pure biodiesel as a fuel for diesel engines is currently limited due to problems relating to fuel properties and its relatively poor cold flow characteristics. Therefore, the most acceptable option for improving the properties of biodiesel is the use of a fuel additive. In the present study, the properties of palm oil methyl esters with increasing additive content were investigated after addition of ethanol, butanol and diethyl ether. The results revealed varying improvement in acid value, density, viscosity, pour point and cloud point, accompanied by a slight decrease in energy content with an increasing additive ratio. The viscosity reductions at 5% additive were 12%, 7%, 16.5% for ethanol, butanol and diethyl ether, respectively, and the maximum reduction in pour point was 5 °C at 5% diethyl ether blend. Engine test results revealed a noticeable improvement in engine brake power and specific fuel consumption compared to palm oil biodiesel and the best performance was obtained with diethyl ether. All the biodiesel-additive blend samples meet the requirements of ASTM D6751 biodiesel fuel standards for the measured properties.
Highlights
Decreasing fossil fuel supplies and increasing energy demands, together with the growing effects of greenhouse gas emissions from fuel combustion have led to the growing importance placed on the investigation of biodiesel
The tests results reveal that palm oil methyl ester shows the higher pour point, a property that limited the benefits of the biodiesel utilization in cold climates [56,57]
A significant difference in pour point (PP) among additive types was detected at 5% blending ratio with 11 °C, 12 °C and 10 °C for ethanol butanol and diethyl ether respectively; compared to pure palm oil methyl ester
Summary
Decreasing fossil fuel supplies and increasing energy demands, together with the growing effects of greenhouse gas emissions from fuel combustion have led to the growing importance placed on the investigation of biodiesel. The rapid increase in biodiesel usage as a diesel fuel alternative is restricted by its higher viscosity, which affects the current fuel injection systems and causes poorer fuel vaporization. They are constricted by their cold climate properties [7,8]. The most suitable and economical way to improve both the low-temperature fuel properties of biodiesel and engine performance is the treatment with chemical additives. This technology is applied widely throughout the biodiesel industry [9]. A small portion of ethanol (E) additive can promote emission reductions and decrease the viscosity [14]
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