Emissions from Combustion of Second-Generation Biodiesel Produced from Seeds of Date Palm Fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

Abstract

Transportation is a vital necessity without which the entire world would come to a standstill. The fossil fuels used to power transportation are consumed at rates of approximately 100,000 times their rate of natural formation, and their consumption subjects the human environment and ecosystem to significant damage. As substitutes for fossil-based diesel, second-generation biodiesels can eliminate many of the challenges concerning first-generation biodiesels in terms of their high cost and the food versus fuel debate. The seeds of the date palm tree have significant oil content and are a promising prospective energy source. This study investigated the potential environmental benefits of this biofuel in terms of diesel tailpipe emission reduction. The various blends of palm date biodiesel were produced and matched to fuel standard requirements, resulting in four standard-compatible blends that were tested in a diesel engine at varying operating conditions for speed and load. Although the biodiesel emissions had lower concentrations of CO2, CO, and HC relative to fossil diesel, higher concentrations of NOx were detected. The results suggest that date-seed biodiesel could become a sustainable energy source for the transport sector, although further technical and economic investigations will be required before its wide deployment.

Biodiesel and green diesel generation: an overview

“…Advanced biofuels such as isopropanol, butane, isobutane and farnesol have recently become more desirable in addition to ethanol due to high energy density and hygroscopic nature [31]. Biochemical engineering of biosynthetic pathways leading to the production of alcohol will boost efficiency [32].…”

Experimental Investigation on Performance and Emission Characteristics of a Diesel Engine Fuelled with Linseed Biodiesel Blends

“…This presents a dual challenge to humanity to sustain global economic and technological development without compromising resources for future generations [2]. Fuel emissions are also a significant health risk, inducing, for example, an estimated 600,000 premature deaths in European Union countries in 2010 alone and a corresponding morbidity of $1.575 trillion [3].The global energy consumption has duplicated during the recent three decades. Fossil fuels are dominant in the global energy mix, as they represent over 80% of the total energy supplies in the world today [4].…”