Addition Of Biodiesel Research Articles

A comparative study of the anticorrosive response of Tinospora cordifolia stem extract for Al and Cu in biodiesel-based fuels

The anticorrosive effect of methanol extract of Tinospora cordifolia stem for Al and Cu metals in pure biodiesel and its 10% blend with petrodiesel was investigated at 25±2 °C in a closed system by corrosion, inhibition efficiency, adsorption, and electrochemical tests. The corrosion inhibiting action of the plant extract for Cu in the biodiesel was more efficient than in the blend, while the extract showed more anticorrosive behavior of Al metal in the blend than in the biodiesel. Adsorption of the plant extract on the metal surface conformed to the Langmuir adsorption model. The plant extract functioned as a mixed-type corrosion inhibitor for both the metals in both biodiesel and its blend based on the experimental results. Outcomes of the study confirm the suggestive evidence to formulate the green extract-based biodiesel additives to enhance the anti-corrosive response for the Al and Cu metal parts of the vehicle engine. Nepal-origin Tinospora cordifolia stem extract could be used as an anticorrosive agent to control the corrosion of Al and Cu metals in biodiesel-based fuels.

Analysis of Biological Degradation and Life Cycle Indicators of Mineral Diesel Fuel Mixtures, Containing 10% Biodiesel, Obtained by Simultaneous Oil Extraction and Transesterification

This article provides data on the environmental properties of biofuels obtained by the simultaneous extraction of oil from spoiled rapeseed and transesterification, with the addition of mineral diesel to the reaction mixture. The resulting reaction product contained 10% biodiesel: fatty acid methyl, ethyl, or butyl esters in mixtures with mineral diesel. The addition of biodiesel has been found to increase the rate of biodegradation of fuels. Such fuels are classified as partially biodegradable, according to the OECD classification. Life cycle analysis showed that the mixtures of biodiesel and mineral diesel have lower negative environmental impacts, compared to pure mineral diesel. The values of indicators such as abiotic depletion, acidification, global warming, ozone depletion, and human toxicity for these mixtures were 40–58% lower compared to the corresponding values for mineral diesel.

Environmental Emission Analysis of Biodiesel with Al2O3 Nanometal Additives as Fuel in a Diesel Engine

The exploitation of fossil fuels has fueled the modern world’s development since the industrial revolution. Other energy sources, such as wood, charcoal, and animal power, were displaced by these fuels, which were relatively easy to obtain, had low cost of production, and were easily transportable. The possibility of these fossil reserves being depleted in the medium term, combined with an increase in environmental awareness and the reality of environmental degradation, has changed the situation, reactivating the search for alternative fuels. Biofuels such as bioethanol, biomethanol, and biodiesel are among the alternative fuels gaining popularity due to their environmental benefits. This research investigates the behaviour of a diesel engine that runs on biodiesel (a fuel made from new and unrefined algae oil), ethanol (an essential raw nanomaterial that is readily available in India), and nanometal additives.

Investigating the oxidative reactivity and nanostructural characteristics of diffusion flame generated soot using methyl crotonate and methyl butyrate blended diesel fuels

Combustion-generated particulate matter has a consequential fallout on climate, environment, and human health. Thus, comprehension of soot formation and mitigation processes using biodiesel additives is a focal point of modern combustion research. This study presents an intricate investigation of enhanced oxidative reactivity and its dependence on the soot nanostructural properties induced by distinctive blending of a saturated and an unsaturated biodiesel surrogates namely, methyl butyrate (MB) and methyl crotonate (MC) respectively with pure diesel. 25% MB-75% diesel fuel resulted in the lowest sooting propensity and lowest activation energy (155.4 ± 2 kJ/mol) for soot oxidation in comparison to pure diesel fuel and diesel soot (175.1 ± 2 kJ/mol). The soot was collected using a smoke point apparatus involving a wick-fed laminar diffusion flame at atmospheric pressure after meticulous observation of the smoke points. The detailed nanostructural characterization of the flame generated soots were performed using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis and Raman spectroscopy. BET surface area analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis were carried out for surface area distinction and activation energy calculations respectively. It revealed that, addition of MB to diesel resulted in improved fuel combustion with reduction in primary soot particle diameter, greater inter-planar separation, increased fringe tortuosity and greater crystal structure disorder resulting in its enhanced reactivity with O2. The 25% MC-75% diesel blend resulted in relatively greater sooting propensity while its soot exhibited lower crystal structure disorder and greater activation energy (165.0 ± 2 kJ/mol) for O2 induced oxidation compared to 25% MB-75% diesel, possibly due to the resonance stabilized radical (RSRs) formation that altered the fuel combustion chemistry. Therefore, this study successfully depicts that the structural differences in the surrogate fuels do influence the soot formation and oxidation kinetics. These structural effects therefore need to be considered when formulating the global multiphase kinetic models for biodiesel-diesel fuel combustion.11Dedicated to Prof. Purnakala Samant on the occasion of her 50th birthday celebration.

Effect of addition of plastic pyrolytic oil and waste cooking oil biodiesel in palm oil biodiesel–commercial diesel blends on diesel engine performance, emission, and lubricity

The main purposes of this research were to study the diesel engines' performance and emission characteristics of quaternary fuels, as well as to analyze their tribological properties. The quaternary comprised waste plastic pyrolysis oil, waste cooking oil biodiesel, palm oil biodiesel, and commercial diesel. Their compositions were analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. By using mechanical stirring, four quaternary fuels with different compositions were prepared. Because Malaysia is expected to implement B30 (30% palm oil biodiesel content in diesel) in 2025, B30a (30% palm oil biodiesel and 70% commercial diesel) mixture was prepared as a reference fuel. In total, 5%, 10%, and 15% of each waste plastic pyrolysis oil and waste cooking oil biodiesel were mixed with palm oil biodiesel –commercial diesel mixture to improve fuel characteristics, engine performance, and emission parameters. The palm oil biodiesel of the quaternary fuel mixture was kept constant at 10%. The results were compared with B30a fuel and B10 (10% for palm oil biodiesel and 90% for diesel; commercial diesel). The findings indicated that compared with B30a fuel, the brake power and brake thermal efficiency of all quaternary fuel mixtures were increased by up to 2.78% and 9.81%, respectively. Compared with B30a, all quaternary fuels also showed up to a 6.31% reduction in brake-specific fuel consumption. Compared with B30a, the maximum carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide emissions of B40 (60% commercial diesel, 10% palm oil biodiesel, 15% waste plastic pyrolysis oil and 15% waste cooking oil biodiesel) quaternary fuel were reduced by 19.66% and 4.16%, respectively. The B20 (80% commercial diesel, 10% palm oil biodiesel, 5% waste plastic pyrolysis oil and 5% waste cooking oil biodiesel) quaternary blend showed a maximum reduction of 41.86% in hydrocarbon emissions collated to B30a. Compared with B10, the average coefficient of friction of the quaternary fuel mixture of B40, B30b (70% commercial diesel, 10% palm oil biodiesel, 10% waste plastic pyrolysis oil and 10% waste cooking oil biodiesel), and B20 were reduced by 3.01%, 1.20%, and 0.23%, respectively. Therefore, the quaternary blends show excellent utilization potential in diesel engine performance.

Effect of injection timing in reducing the harmful pollutants emitted from CI engine using N-butanol antioxidant blended eco-friendly Mahua biodiesel

The utilization of non-renewable energy sources leads to long-standing unfavorable consequences on human health and environmental issues. Ever growing demand and use of diesel engines in various fields cause the emission of exhaust gases like NOx and CO that lead to serious environmental pollution and hazards like global warming, respiratory problems. Hence, it has a necessity a reduction in the use of diesel fuel and addition of suitable biodiesel. Mahua biodiesel blend has also been considered a safe renewable fuel for conventional engines. This is due to its desirable properties such as rapid growth rate, higher productivity, and the ability to utilize CO2 into fuel. Doping of an antioxidant, preferably n-butanol eliminates these harmful emissions from the diesel engine. In this experimental investigation, a Blend of Mahua biodiesel mixed with n-butanol was used as test fuel in a conventional engine. About 20–30 vol.% of n-butanol blended with 80 vol.% of diesel and tested. The injection timing was varied between 21 °CA bTDC and 25 °CA bTDC. Nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide of a blend of B20 + D80 + 30% n-butanol (NBM blend) at 21 °CA bTDC were reduced by 49 percent and 5.88 percent, respectively, when a relative to diesel fuel. The smoke and hydrocarbon emission of NBM blend at 25 °CA bTDC is reduced by 40% and 38.07%, respectively, related to diesel. The brake thermal efficiency for NBM blend at all injection timing was identified higher as a correlated to all other test blends. The brake thermal efficiency of the NBM blend at 25 °CA bTDC was increased by 15.30% when compared with diesel fuel. From the results, the Period of combustion was higher biodiesel as related to diesel. The span of ignition delay for NBM blend at advanced IT was 13.3% and 16.5% lower as compared to standard and advanced IT. These promising results assure that the Mahua biodiesel blend containing antioxidants would be eco-friendly fuel.

Microbial sludge formation in Brazilian marine diesel oil (B0) and soybean methylic biodiesel blends (B10 and B20) during simulated storage

Biofuels are renewable alternatives to fossil fuels mainly due to the lower impact they have in terms of release of air pollutants. Brazilian diesel oil must be composed of 10–15% biodiesel, while the addition of biodiesel to marine diesel oil has not yet been authorized. This paper aimed to evaluate the impact of the addition of biodiesel to marine diesel oil. The biotic and abiotic degradation of pure (B0) marine diesel oil and that with the addition of 10% (B10) and 20% (B20) of soybean methyl biodiesel were evaluated in simulated storage in an aqueous phase of Bushnell Haas mineral medium for 28 days. An uncharacterized inoculum (adapted from the ASTM E1259-16 standard) was prepared from a microbial population found in the marine diesel oil storage tank of a ship. For 28 days, microbial growth was monitored by gravimetry and the composition of the fungal microbial community was determined by next-generation sequencing (NGS). In the aqueous phase of the tests, the nature of the metabolites (pH measurements, headspace-solid phase microextraction [HS-SPME], gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC–MS), detection of the lipase enzyme (Rhodamine B Medium) and production of biosurfactants (surface tension measurements) were assessed. The oil phase was evaluated by gas chromatography (GC) and infrared spectroscopy. Higher biomass was observed in the B20 condition and the microbial community analysis revealed the dominance of the genus Pseudallescheria. No significant pH decreases were observed in the aqueous phase; however, the analyses by HS-SPME and GC–MS showed the presence of organic acids, alkanes, and phenols in both conditions, with and without microorganisms. The infrared results with the mixtures (10 and 20%) showed degradation of the biodiesel fraction. GC analysis showed that the linoleic acid methyl ester was the most susceptible to degradation by microorganisms. Thus, the results found showed the impact of adding biodiesel to marine diesel, calling attention to the need for maintenance routines, which will guarantee the final quality of the stored fuel.

Inhibition Effect of Phosphorus Poisoning on the Dynamics and Redox of Cu Active Sites in a Cu-SSZ-13 NH3-SCR Catalyst for NOx Reduction.

Phosphorus (P) stemming from biodiesel and/or lubricant oil additives is unavoidable in real diesel exhausts and deactivates gradually the Cu-SSZ-13 zeolite catalyst for ammonia-assisted selective catalytic NOx reduction (NH3-SCR). Here, the deactivation mechanism of Cu-SSZ-13 by P-poisoning was investigated by ex situ examination of the structural changes and by in situ probing the dynamics and redox of Cu active sites via a combination of impedance spectroscopy, diffuse reflection infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. We unveiled that strong interactions between Cu and P led to not only a loss of Cu active sites for catalytic turnovers but also a restricted dynamic motion of Cu species during low-temperature NH3-SCR catalysis. Furthermore, the CuII ↔ CuI redox cycling of Cu sites, especially the CuI → CuII reoxidation half-cycle, was significantly inhibited, which can be attributed to the restricted Cu motion by P-poisoning disabling the formation of key dimeric Cu intermediates. As a result, the NH3-SCR activity at low temperatures (200 °C and below) decreased slightly for the mildly poisoned Cu-SSZ-13 and considerably for the severely poisoned Cu-SSZ-13.

Metal Oxides as Soluble Nano Catalyst on Biodiesel: A Review

Nano particles of metal oxide developed as soluble nano additive in liquid fuels to improve fuel quality. One application of nano metal oxide particles is an additive to biodiesel. Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that can reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Pure biodiesel has a relatively lower calorific value compared to fossil fuels. Low calorific value results in increased brake specific fuel consumption. Moreover, biodiesel has a higher density and viscosity compared to fossil fuel. The content of carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) in exhaust gases with biodiesel is higher than fossil fuels. Metal oxide nanoparticles are added to biodiesel between 6 to 80 nm with concentrations about 50 to 500 ppm. Addition of metal oxide nanoparticles to biodiesel can improve brake thermal efficiency, reduce brake specific fuel consumption, carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and improve carbon dioxide (CO2) emission due to the catalytic effect of metal oxide nanoparticles. Metal oxide acts as an oxidation catalyst thereby reduce the carbon combustion activation temperature and thus enhances hydrocarbon oxidation, promoting complete combustion. Nanoparticles that are often used in various studies are nickel (II) oxide (NiO), cerium (IV) oxide (CeO2), titanium oxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and silicon dioxide (SiO2). This review paper describes the progress and development of nano metal oxide applications as additives for biodiesel, and the discussion in this paper is divided into 3 main topics, including the effects of nanoparticles on the properties of biodiesel, engine performance, and emission characteristics.

Effect of Addition of Palm Oil Biodiesel in Waste Plastic Oil on Diesel Engine Performance, Emission, and Lubricity.

This research was aimed to examine the diesel engine’s performance and emission of secondary fuels (SFs), comprising waste plastic oil (WPO) and palm oil biodiesel (POB), and to analyze their tribological properties. Their compositions were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Five SFs (10–50% POB in WPO) were prepared by mechanical stirring. The results were compared to blank WPO (WPO100) and Malaysian commercial diesel (B10). WPO90 showed the maximum brake power (BP) and brake torque (BT) among the SFs, and their values were 0.52 and 0.59% higher compared to B10, respectively. The increase in POB ratio (20–50%) showed a negligible difference in BP and BT. WPO70 showed the lowest brake-specific fuel consumption among the SFs. The brake thermal efficiency (BTE) increased with POB composition. The maximum reductions in emission of hydrocarbon (HC, 37.21%) and carbon monoxide (CO, 27.10%) were achieved by WPO50 among the SFs. WPO90 showed the maximum reduction in CO2 emission (6.78%). Increasing the POB composition reduced the CO emissions and increased the CO2 emissions. All SFs showed a higher coefficient of friction (COF) than WPO100. WPO50 showed the minimal increase in COF of 2.45%. WPO90 showed the maximum reduction in wear scar diameter (WSD), by 10.34%, compared to B10. Among the secondary contaminated samples, SAE40-WPO90 showed the lowest COF, with 5.98% reduction compared to SAE40-WPO100. However, with increasing POB content in the secondary contaminated samples, the COF increased. The same trend was also observed in their WSD. Overall, WPO90 is the optimal SF with excellent potential for diesel engines.

Comprehensive Assessment from Optimum Biodiesel Yield to Combustion Characteristics of Light Duty Diesel Engine Fueled with Palm Kernel Oil Biodiesel and Fuel Additives

Biodiesel is considered as a key prospective renewable energy source in India. Hence, a study was carried out for the improvement of palm kernel oil biodiesel production using a transesterification process at different molar ratios. This study comprehensively examined all aspects of biodiesel from optimum production to the effect of additives on its combustion behavior. The optimum yield condition was validated with the MINITAB-17 software and analyzed using the Taguchi method. Two different additives, 5% diethyl ether (DEE) and 2000 ppm Butylated hydroxyltoluene (BHT), were also experimented. Engine experiments were conducted at constant speed (1500 rpm) and five different engine loads (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) on a single-cylinder direct injection diesel engine. Heat release rate, brake specific fuel consumption, brake thermal efficiency, engine emissions, such as CO, HC, NOx, and smoke opacity were analyzed. The maximum palm kernel oil (PKO) biodiesel yields, obtained at 55 °C, for the KOH and NaOH catalysts were 86.69% and 75.21% at the molar ratio of 6:1. B20BHT combustion showed 4.6% higher brake thermal efficiency (BTE). NOx emission was reduced by 19.4%, compared to the diesel fuel values. DEE resulted in higher CO and HC emissions compared to diesel fuel values by 39.2% and 7.6%, respectively, whereas smoke emission was improved by 11.5%.

Nanoparticle Dispersed Fuels for Improving Diesel Engine Performance

The developments in materials engineering facilitated to production wide range of nanoparticles with enhanced performance in several engineering applications. Enhancing performance of diesel engine is on such application recently gained tremendous attention in the energy engineering. Using nanoparticles as additives in biodiesel or diesel has shown promising results as reported by several research teams across the globe. This paper provides a brief review of using nanoparticles as dispersing agents into fuel to improve the efficiency of the diesel engine. Using different types of nanoparticles and their role in altering the fuel combustion properties are discussed. Significant developments in using a wide range of nanoparticles of different chemical compositions as additives in fuel are summarized and presented with challenges and future perspectives.

Investigation and Optimization of Diesel Engine Outputs Under Undi Biodiesel-Diesel Strategies

Abstract The present investigation accentuates the impact of Undi biodiesel blended diesel on combustion, performance, and exhaust fume profiles of a single-cylinder, four-stroke diesel engine. Five Undi biodiesel-diesel blends were prepared and tested at four variable loads over a constant speed of 1500 (±10) rpm. The Undi biodiesel incorporation to diesel notably improved the in-cylinder pressure and heat release rate (HRR) of the engine. The higher amount of Undi biodiesel addition enhanced the brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and brake specific energy consumption (BSEC) of the engine. In addition, the Undi biodiesel facilitated the reduction of the major pollutants, such as unburned hydrocarbon (UHC), carbon monoxide, and particulate matter (PM) emissions with slightly higher oxides of nitrogen emissions of the engine. To this end, a trade-off study was introduced to locate the favorable diesel engine operating conditions under Undi biodiesel-diesel strategies. The optimal results of the engine operation were found to be 32.65% of brake thermal efficiency, 1.21 g/kWh of brake specific cumulated oxides of nitrogen and unburned hydrocarbon, 0.94 g/kWh of brake specific carbon monoxide (BSCO), and 0.32 g/kWh of brake specific particulate matter (BSPM) for 50% (by volume) Undi biodiesel blend at 5.6 bar brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) with a relative closeness value of 0.978, which brings up the pertinence of the trade-off study in diesel engine platforms.

Effect of biodiesel addition in a blend of isopropanol-butanol-ethanol and diesel on combustion and emissions of a CRDI engine

ABSTRACT The increasing demand for energy and the fact that petroleum, which is the most used energy source, has a limited reserve, have led researchers to search for new and renewable energy sources. In this context, biofuels such as biodiesel and bio alcohols have been studied and used in internal combustion engines for a long time. However, with the developments in technology, the production and use of such alternative fuels in different engine technologies is still a subject of research. In this regard, isopropanol-butanol-ethanol (IBE) has received an increasing attention over standard alcohols and its potential as a substitute for other alcohol fuels in internal combustion engines has been researched recently. Therefore, the purpose of the experimental study is to investigate the effect of biodiesel addition at rates of 20% and 40% by volume in a blend of IBE (30% v/v) with petroleum-based diesel (70% v/v) on the combustion and emission characteristics of a single-cylinder common-rail direct injection engine at constant engine speed of 2400 rpm and 60% load conditions. Experimental results showed that all blended fuels presented a potential to reduce smoke opacity by 27% − 41%, CO emissions by 44% − 66% and unburnt HC emissions (up to 31.8%) but increase NOx emissions by 5% − 24.6% compared to diesel. However, adding biodiesel caused to a slight increase in smoke opacity and CO emissions while decrease in unburned HC and NOx emissions compared to the blend of IBE and diesel. Combustion analysis also showed that the use of blended fuels led to the increase of peak cylinder pressure (by 7%) and the significant improvement in the rate of heat release was observed, which further increased with the addition of biodiesel to blend of IBE and diesel. It was concluded that ternary blends was performed better than the blend of IBE and diesel while biodiesel addition was found to be beneficial in terms of reduction of unburnt HC and NOx emissions along with improved performance.

Calibration Method for the Determination of the FAME and HVO Contents in Fossil Diesel Blends Using NIR Spectroscopy

The European diesel fuel standard, EN590, allows a 7% (V/V) biodiesel (FAME) addition to automotive diesel fuel. The allowed addition of renewable diesel (HVO) to fossil diesel is not defined, as long as the properties of the fuel blend still meet the requirements of the standard. However, it is important to analyze the biofuels’ content in diesel fuel blends. In this article, a development procedure of a calibration method for quantification of the HVO and FAME contents in fossil diesel blends using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is presented. The analytical range of quantification of biodiesel content is from 0 to 10% (V/V) and of renewable diesel content from 0 to 20% (V/V). The partial least squares (PLS) regression method for multivariable data analysis and construction of the calibration models were used to create the calibration method. The constructed PLS models obtained prediction results for all diesel fuel blends with root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) values of 2.66% (V/V) for the HVO content quantification and 0.18% (V/V) for quantification of the FAME content. This article concludes that the calibration method is acceptable for laboratory applications in practice.

Fuel Properties of Two Types High-Speed Diesel Blending with Palm Oil Biodiesel in Indonesia

Biodiesel from palm oil (Elaeis guineensis) is one of the promising renewable sources in Indonesia. Biodiesel is renewable transportation fuel and nowadays is being used as a blend with high-speed diesel (HSD). There are two types of HSD in fuel specification of The Indonesian Government, HSD with Cetane No. 48 and HSD with Cetane No. 51. This paper investigates the fuel properties of HSD 48 and HSD 51 blends with palm oil biodiesel with composition 90:10 (B10), 80:20 (B20), and 70:30 (B30). The experimental investigation shows that the fuel blending HSD 48 and HSD 51 with biodiesel up to 30% improve HSD quality, such as increasing cetane number by 10%, increasing lubricity by 10-18%, and decreasing sulfur content by 35%. Furthermore, biodiesel addition to HSD has a negative effect that increases the acid value and water content, decreasing heating value and cold-flow performance, such as cloud point, pour point, and cold filter plugging point. This can be improved by tightening up the quality of biodiesel. However, the addition of palm oil biodiesel up to 30% (B30) is the potential to promote renewable fuels with tolerable characteristics with HSD fuel specification by improving the quality and specification of biodiesel and blends.

Investigation of engine characteristics of a variable compression ratio diesel engine using biodiesel and alcohol blends

Increasing environmental pollution and reducing fossil fuels are major concerns of today’s age. To address both the above said issues, the present research focuses on fossil fuel compensation with Biofuels additives. The objective is to analyze combined effect of biodiesel, alcohols and other additives on the diesel engine performance and emission characteristics. The prime target of present research is to analyze the emission characteristics of the diesel engine fueled with Biodiesel (20%)-diesel, Biodiesel (20%)-ethanol (10%)-diesel and Biodiesel (20%)-butanol (10%)-diesel blends. For this purpose, various loads and compression ratios have been applied on each of the blends, to get the optimum result for better performance and reduction in emissions. Engine tests were conducted at variable loads, starting from no load (0 Kg) to full load (15 Kg) at rpm of 1500 on a single cylinder diesel engine. Two compression ratios CR16 and CR18 were used for the research. Engine performance parameters namely BSFC, BTE and engine emissions namely NOX, CO, HC and CO2 were measured. Performance and emission variations of the modified blends were compared with the reference fuel (pure diesel) for the quantitative assessment of the improvements.

Effect of Ceiba pentandra Biodiesel/Dexlite Diesel Blends on the Four-Stroke Diesel Engine Performances

The increasing number of motorized vehicles causes an increase in fuel consumption. Meanwhile, fuel consumption in Indonesia is inversely proportional to the amount of oil production in Indonesia. One of the solution in by using biodiesel from kapok (Ceiba pentendra) seed as a diesel fuel blends. In this research, blends of dexlite (diesel fuel)/Ceiba pentandra biodiesel was studied on the four stroke diesel engine performance. Four different fuel blends (B10, B20, B30 and B40) and B0 (pure dexlite fuel) were prepared for the engine performance test. The engine performance shows that addition of biodiesel to diesel fuel gave lower torque than the dexlite fuel. Biodiesel blends also have lower brake power compared to the dexlite fuel. Among different biodiesel blends, A 10% biodiesel blend shows the best engine performance in terms of engine torque and brake power.

Development of a Methodology for the Synthesis of Biorefineries Based on Incremental Economic and Exergetic Return on Investment.

Colombia is experiencing significant growth in its agricultural areas, its diverse production chains make the country an excellent candidate in the development of biorefineries, and as a result, there is an increasing need to take full advantage of biomass and obtain high value-added by-products from waste. In this sense, biorefineries are presented as a great alternative for the use of biomass; however, the methodologies of biorefinery synthesis lack a parameter that limits the growth of production lines under incremental exergetic and economic returns. This research develops a biorefinery synthesis methodology using an African palm biorefinery as a case study; a novel approach is developed to facilitate a stop criterion for biorefinery expansion through a combined consideration of economic incremental returns (IROI) and exegetical returns of investment (ExROI), avoiding unnecessary plant expansions or new processes that are not profitable or adequate in terms of useful energy. The development of this methodology required simulations in Aspen Plus software and technical-economic and exergetic evaluation with an incremental approach of four scenarios in Excel. The base case is palm oil production from African palm clusters. The second case includes the production of palm kernel oil and palm cake from residues. The third case implements the production of hydrogen based on other residues from the base case. The last case study incorporates the preceding case and the addition of biodiesel and glycerin production from palm oil. Case 3 exhibits a higher economic performance with an IROI of 42.98%; in terms of exergy, case 2 exhibits considerable improvements over the base case, with an ExROI of 158%. A parameter called the exergo-economic weighted incremental return on investment (IExWROI) was obtained, evidencing a 75% improvement in case 2 compared to the base case. The new indicator aims to provide a more comprehensive approach to biorefinery design by optimization of economic and exergetic returns, contributing a new alternative for decision-making in regard to plant design, plant expansion projects, and implementation of subprocesses.

Influence of the effect of nanoparticle additives blended with mahua methyl ester on performance, combustion, and emission characteristics of CRDI diesel engine.

This research work aims to investigate the effect of fuel-borne additives when added to mahua methyl ester (MME) blend operated on common rail direct injection diesel engine. Nanoparticles (Al2O3 and Fe2O3) were chosen with the help of a homogenizer and ultrasonicator as fuel additives at dosing levels of 40, 80, and 120 ppm, respectively, and the biodiesel is prepared by blending 80% diesel and 20% MME. The performance, emission, and combustion characteristics were considered for analysis. The experimental study revealed that while using the Al2O3 nanoparticle additives' blended biodiesel (MME20+AONP120), the number of harmful pollutants like smoke (5.38%), HC (6.39%), carbon monoxide (10.24%), NOx, etc. has reduced to a considerable extent and there was a commendable improvement in the BTE by 8.8% in comparison with MME20. Moreover, MME20+AONP120 blend resulted in high in-cylinder pressure, HRR of about 58.4 bar, and 118 J/0CA, respectively, which are higher than diesel and MME20. So, it can be summarized that when biodiesel and nano additives are blended together, the combustion and performance of the engine were improved considerably and pollutant emissions were decreased.