Environment-Friendly Biodiesel/Diesel Blends for Improving the Exhaust Emission and Engine Performance to Reduce the Pollutants Emitted from Transportation Fleets

Abstract

Biodiesel derived from biomass is a renewable source of fuel, and global application of biodiesel in the transport sector has rapidly expanded over the last decade. However, effort has been made to overcome its main shortcoming, i.e., efficiency and exhaust emission characteristics (NOx emissions) in unmodified diesel engines. Biodiesel combustion generally results in lower unburned hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM) in exhaust emissions compared to fossil diesel. In this study, various biodiesel blends (Chlorella vulgaris, Jatropha curcus, and Calophyllum inophyllum) were investigated for fuel characteristics, and engine performance with exhaust emission compared to diesel. Chlorella vulgaris, Jatropha curcus, and Calophyllum inophyllum biodiesel were synthesized by the acid–base transesterification approach in a microwave reactor and blended with conventional diesel fuel by volume. The fuel blends were denoted as MB10 (90% diesel + 10% microalgae biodiesel), MB20 (80% diesel + 20% microalgae biodiesel), JB10 (90% diesel + 10% jatropha biodiesel), JB20 (80% diesel + 20% jatropha biodiesel), PB10 (90% diesel + 10% polanga biodiesel) and PB20 (80% diesel + 20% polanga biodiesel). Experiments were performed using these fuel blends with a single-cylinder four-stroke diesel engine at different loads. It was shown in the results that, at rated load, thermal efficiency of the engine decreased from 34.6% with diesel to 34.1%, 33.7%, 34.1%, 34.0%, 33.9%, and 33.5% with MB10, MB20, JB10, JB20, PB10, and PB20 fuels, respectively. Unburned hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and smoke emissions improved with third-generation fuels (MB10, MB20) in comparison to base diesel fuel and second-generation fuels (JB10, JB20, PB10 and PB20). Oxides of nitrogen emissions were slightly increased with both the third- and second-generation fuels as compared to the base diesel. The combustion behavior of microalgae biodiesel was also very close to diesel fuels. In the context of comparable engine performance, emissions, and combustion characteristics, along with biofuel production yield (per year per acre), microalgae biodiesel could have a great potential as a next-generation sustainable fuel in compression engine (CI) engines compared to jatropha and polanga biodiesel fuels.

Biodiesel Production Innovation Based on Jatropha Curcas and Soybean Oil

“…In conclusion, the performance testing results showed that Jatropha curcas and soybean oil biodiesel have similar potential for energy conversion and generation compared to conventional diesel fuel. The results also indicated that both biodiesels have the potential to reduce emissions and improve air quality, making them suitable as alternative fuels (Sharma et al, 2020). The findings provide valuable information for the development of sustainable and eco-friendly energy solutions based on Jatropha curcas and soybean oil as feedstocks for biodiesel production (Chi et al, 2021).…”

Biodiesel Produced from Pangasius Oil Operating a Diesel Engine: Case Study in Vietnam

“…As the engine speed increases, the gas flow increases, and then the pressure in the cylinder and the temperature also increases. For these reasons, the oxidation rate of HC should increase at higher speeds, making possible a significant reduction in HC emissions [4], [19].…”

A Multi-Objective Approach toward Optimal Design of Sustainable Integrated Biodiesel/Diesel Supply Chain Based on First- and Second-Generation Feedstock with Solid Waste Use

“…On the other hand, Yesilyurt and Cesur (2020) [9] studied the process of biodiesel production from Styrax officinalis L. oil and found the parameters that affect the biodiesel yield: catalyst concentration, molar ratio of methanol to oil, reaction time and reaction temperature. Using jatropha biodiesel, polanga biodiesel and microalgae biodiesel leads to hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and smoke emissions reduction [10]. Biodiesel produced from synthetic biology achieves better physiochemical properties and carbon neutral economy [5].…”