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In recent years there has been a significant rise in crude glycerol generation due to the booming biodiesel industries. Despite having immense benefits, the presence of poisonous methanol and fatty acids, glycerol is treated as a waste by‐product of biodiesel. In the present study, investigations have been carried out on utilizing the potential of glycerol derived bio‐propanol as an extender fuel with diesel/gasoline blends. Test fuels containing ternary blends of diesel/gasoline/bio‐propanol in different volume concentrations were prepared. The crude glycerol was procured from transesterified Kusum (Schleichera oleosa) oil. The physicochemical properties, along with stability and homogeneity of the test fuels were evaluated as per ASTM/EN standards and compared with the neat diesel. To study the effect of fuel properties on atomization process, the sauter mean diameter of the test fuels were observed using Malvern spraytec test. The engine performance, combustion and emission characteristics of a single‐cylinder diesel engine fuelled with different test fuels were also conducted. Due to the enhancement in mixing rate promoted by low cetane fuels, the ignition delay and heat release rate was higher than diesel. Moreover, the results also reveal upto 5% increase in brake thermal efficiency and a significant reduction in harmful exhaust emission with an increase in the gasoline and bio‐propanol share in the blend. The oxide of nitrogen (NOx) emissions was also lower than diesel for all the fuel blends. In comparison to diesel, the maximum reduction in NOx, HC, CO and smoke emissions is 7.4%, 33.3%, 55.7%, and 17.2%, respectively, for D40:G30:P30 fuel blend.

Biodiesel, as an alternative fuel, has gained wide interest in recent years. However, despite the countless benefits, the enormous generation of glycerol-waste and higher production costs have been causing severe challenges to both the environment and the biodiesel economy’s survival. With the focus on maintaining its sustainability, the proper valorization of the crude glycerol is of vital importance. The objective of the present study is to harness and transform glycerol (a by-product of biodiesel) to triacetin and utilize it further as a fuel additive for spark ignition (SI) engine. Triacetin is a valuable compound of bio-based origin, having good anti-knock properties and higher oxygen content. Test fuels containing different blends of gasoline, methanol and triacetin were prepared and compared with neat gasoline. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based multi-objective technique was selected to optimize the engine output parameters like BTE, CO, CO2, HC and NOx emissions. The results indicate that the engine operating at 1.17 kW brake power and containing 90.73% gasoline, 4.94% methanol and 4.31% triacetin (by vol.) were found to be the optimum input parameter combinations which shows maximum BTE and lowest engine exhaust emissions as compared to other fuel blends. The estimated economic analysis of small-scale plants was also carried out, revealing that about 4.2% of revenue per kg of triacetin selling can be generated by running biodiesel and triacetin production analogously. Among various alternatives probed, the acetylation of glycerol to triacetin appears to be the ideal solution. It can serve the multiple purposes of reducing vehicular emission and improving the economic viability of burgeoning biodiesel industries and creating new opportunities, livelihoods, and jobs for humanity.

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