The use of biodiesel in cold climates

Abstract

The analysis of the problems of using diesel fuel at low temperatures is carried out, the properties of biodiesel compared with petroleum diesel are compared. The existing methods of estimating exhaust gas emissions of motor vehicles are considered. During the analysis of physico-chemical properties, it was determined that among the positive features of biodiesel, its environmental friendliness is the most important, and among the negative ones — unsatisfactory lowtemperature properties. Based on the identified problems in the operation of cars in a cold climate, as well as the analysis of the physico-chemical properties of biodiesel, the option of improving its low-temperature properties by mixing with petroleum diesel fuel and adding depressant-dispersing additives is considered. The possibility of improving the existing methods of calculating environmental damage, taking into account the use of a mixture of petroleum and biodiesel, has been identified. The proposed method for calculating environmental damage makes it possible to more accurately estimate the volume of emissions of harmful substances and carbon dioxide depending on the concentration of biodiesel in the mixture. Keywords diesel fuel, biodiesel, mixed fuel, low-temperature properties, depressor-dispersing additive, ecology, methodology for calculating environmental damage