The Impact of Biodiesel Blend Variation Contamination to Engine Friction, Wear, Performance and Emission

G Nyirenda,M.H Zakaria,N Tamaldin

doi:10.15282/ijame.18.1.2021.18.0653

Abstract

Biodiesel can be utilised in diesel engines without major alteration to the engine; however, its use can lead to engine oil dilution through biodiesel leaking and scraping to the engine oil pan. The objective of this research is to investigate the contamination of biodiesel in engine lubricant oil, and determine the relationship between engine performance and emission for three different blends of palm methyl ester (B10, B20, and B30). To simulate the contamination, the engine oils were blended with biodiesel fuels at 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% by volume and these mixtures were tested on four-ball test equipment. An air-cooled diesel engine was used to analyse the influence of the three biodiesel blends on the output and emission of the diesel engine. The results show that both coefficient of friction and wear scar diameter increased with the increase of biodiesel percentage. The results of engine performance during both sweep test and step test showed that the variation of torque and power among the blends at a particular speed was within a very narrow range.

Highlights

The rapid depletion of fossil fuel, significant population growth and changes in lifestyle intensify the need for governments to take steps to reduce their reliance on traditional hydrocarbon fuel and gas [1]
The results from this study reveal that both coefficient of friction and wear scar diameter increase with the increase of biodiesel percentage
It can be concluded that any degree of engine oil dilution by biodiesel reduces the performance of engine oils

Summary

Introduction

The rapid depletion of fossil fuel, significant population growth and changes in lifestyle intensify the need for governments to take steps to reduce their reliance on traditional hydrocarbon fuel and gas [1]. Throughout the last decade, the production and consumption of biofuels have increased rapidly throughout the world which is from 16 billion litres in 2000 to over 100 billion litres in 2011, in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, diversify transport fuels, promote renewable energy and create jobs, in rural areas and developing countries [3]. In addition to the depletion of crude oil reserves, uncertainty of fossil oil prices, along with growing concern about greenhouse gas emissions, which raises the global warming problems, have increased calls for of global energy economy adoption based on renewables [5], [6]

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