Selected Physicochemical Properties of Diethyl Ether/Rapeseed Oil Blends and Their Impact on Diesel Engine Smoke Opacity

Abstract

In this paper, selected physicochemical properties such as kinematic viscosity (ν), density (ρ), lower heating value (LHV), cold filter plugging point (CFPP), miscibility, flash point (FP), coefficient of friction (μ), lubricity (WS1.4), surface tension (σ), and copper strip corrosion (CSC) of diethyl ether/rapeseed oil blends were experimentally determined. Diethyl ether (DEE) was blended with rapeseed oil (RO) in volumetric ratios of 10, 20, 30, and 40%. The values of the LHV, kinematic viscosity, surface tension, and density of the blends were lower than the values obtained for the tested rapeseed oil. Especially, it was found that DEE has significant influence on the rapeseed oil viscosity value. The addition of merely 10% DEE to rapeseed oil decreased its viscosity by 50%. It was shown that the lubricity of all tested blends is reduced, but not as significantly as viscosity. Also, we confirmed that tested blends do not promote the corrosion processes. What is more, it was found that the temperature o...