AbstractMicroalgae have been mentioned as a promising feedstock for biodiesel production. In this study, microalgae Chlorella vulgaris (MCV) was cultivated in a bioreactor with wastewater. After biodiesel production from MCV oil via transesterification reaction, chemical and physical properties of MCV methyl ester were evaluated with regular diesel and ASTM standard. Besides, engine performance and exhaust emissions of CI engine fuelled with the blends of diesel-biodiesel were measured. The GC-MS analysis showed that oleic and linoleic acids were the main fatty acid compounds in the MCV methyl ester. Engine test results revealed that the use of biodiesel had led to a major decrease in CO and HC emissions and a modest reduction in CO2 emissions, whereas there was a minor increase in NOx emissions. Furthermore, there was a slight decrease in the engine power and torque while a modest increase in brake specific fuel consumption which are acceptable due to exhaust emissions reduction. The experimental results illustrate considerable capabilities of applied MVC biodiesel as an alternative fuel in diesel engines to diminish the emissions.
This paper aims to consider the potential of Eruca sativa (ES) crops, which is a plant with a short production cycle and drought tolerance, for biodiesel feedstock source and to compare exhaust emissions and engine performance of using its biodiesel blends with pure diesel. Thus, ES methyl ester was produced through a transesterification reaction by using KOH as a catalyst. The fatty acid composition of ES biodiesel was determined by FTIR and GC-MS analysis and its properties were compared with ASTM biodiesel standard and regular diesel. The GC-MS analysis showed that oleic and palmitic acids were the main compounds in ES methyl ester. Then, biodiesel blends were injected into a single-cylinder 4-stroke diesel engine at various speeds. Experimental tests revealed that using ES methyl ester led to reductions in HC and CO emissions substantially and NOx emissions moderately, whereas there was a minor rise in CO 2 emissions. Moreover, a slight decrease in engine power and an increase in specific fuel consumption (5.3%) occurred, which are acceptable due to the reduction of exhaust emissions. Based on the results, ES biodiesel has the capability to apply in CI engines and to diminish emissions.
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