The use of biodiesel and diesel blends in cycle test Fuel properties of the blends of Canola Biodiesel and Diesel Legal exhaust emissions of the blends of Biodiesel and Diesel Figure A. Chassis dynamometer measurement systemPurpose: Alternative fuels are convenient substitutes to conventional fuels in the automotive industry which reduces emission based air pollution and dependency on use of conventional fuels. Owing to the stringent emission regulations introduced by the European Union (EU), the use of biodiesels, an alternative fuel, has become quite popular over the last decade. In this study, a two-phase experimental analyses were carried out to investigate the effects of biodiesel produced from canola oil (BD-CO) on emission and performance of diesel engines. In the first part, EURO-5 compliant diesel passenger car was tested under NEDC to investigate the effects of biodiesel on vehicle emissions and performance. In the second part, in order to examine the effect of biodiesel on combustion parameters, it was tested in engine partial and full load working conditions.
Theory and Methods:The NEDC testing was conducted with diesel and four different biodiesel blends of diesel to investigate emissions of each phases of the NEDC. Experiments started with the NEDC testing. First, to drain fuel tank, vehicle was driven in the chassis dynamometer until the all fuel was depleted. Afterwards, vehicle was refueled with three liters of prepared test fuel. Cycle test was performed according to the UNECE R83. To eliminate the uncertainties resulting from ambient conditions and measurement devices, three sets of NEDC tests were performed for each fuel. Besides, in the second part steady state experiments were conducted at partial and full load working conditions of the engine. To achieve the same test conditions before taking the measurements, the engine was run for 15 minutes at 50 km/h in the 2 nd gear of the vehicle to achieve engine coolant and exhaust temperature of 90°C and 200°C respectively. The emissions, power and in-cylinder pressure values were measured during the experiments.
Results:Mixing the 10% biodiesel to the diesel has reduced the ignition delay by 2 crank angles and combustion has started 2 crank angles earlier compared to pure diesel. The 10% biodiesel additive improved HC, CO and soot emissions by 15%, but caused a 2% increase in fuel consumption due to its low calorific value. In addition, NOx emissions increased by 4% with the blended biodiesel.
Conclusion:The use of biodiesel should be encouraged to reduce toxic emissions and dependency to fossil fuels. CO, HC and PN emissions can be reduced with the use of biodiesel and exhaust aftertreatment equipment can be smaller and less expensive compared to usage of pure diesel.