Low-temperature properties of fuel blends based on biodiesel derived from frying oil wastes

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Automotive engines are one of the environment pollutants with harmful substances and greenhouse gases. Recently, the field of carbon-free or carbon-neutral energy has become the most relevant. In this regard, the task of reducing the carbon footprint of automotive equipment equipped with internal combustion engines remains urgent. This can be done by complete or partial replacement of the fuel with the carbon-neutral one, such as plant-origin biofuels.
 AIMS: Study of low-temperature properties of fuel blends based on biodiesel derived from frying oil wastes.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: The vegetable oil ether was derived from purified frying oil wastes by esterification. Then fuel blends were obtained by mixing the derived ether with diesel fuel of different brands and butanol. The study of viscosity-temperature properties and density of the obtained fuel blends was carried out in the temperature range from -20C to 40C. The methods and equipment for determining these parameters meet the requirements of GOST.
 RESULTS: The obtained study results helped to conclude that blended biodiesel in certain proportions can be used as fuel even at negative ambient temperatures, which is not uncommon for the start of a sowing campaign in spring and the end of field work in autumn in sharply continental climatic conditions.
 CONCLUSIONS: The practical value of the study lies in the possibility of using fuel blends based on biodiesel derived from frying oil wastes at low temperatures.