Possibility to Use Cameline (<i>Camelina sativa</i>) as an Alternative Raw Material for Production of Biofuels

Abstract

The goal of the paper is to determine a possibility to use methyl cameline esters and their mixtures with diesel oil (in ratios of 95:5, 90:10, 85:15, and 80:20) as fuels for compression-ignition engines (diesel engines). The cameline esters obtained in the result of one-step basic transesterification were characterised in respect of kinematic viscosity at 40°C, density at 15°C, acid number, solid impurities content, sulfur content, ignition temperature, temperature of cold filter clogging, and oxidation resistance at 110°C. It was shown that majority of factors of pure cameline esters analysed in the paper, excluding content of impurities and oxidation resistance, met the requirements of the PN-EN 14214, 2012 standard. Whereas, in case of mixtures of diesel oil with varied addition of esters, it was ascertained that 5, 10 and 15% addition of the biocomponent did not affect significantly the physico-chemical properties of the prepared fuel. In turn, the highest, 20% share of a cameline ester caused a slight increase in viscosity, density, content of impurities and ignition temperature of the obtained mixture. However, it is noteworthy that these factors did not exceed the acceptable values according to the standard. In general, it was also ascertained that the only parameter disqualifying use of these samples as a fuel for compression-ignition engines was too high content of impurities.