The Performance and Emission Characteristics Assessment of Hybrid Biodiesel/Ethanol Blends in a Diesel Engine

Abstract

In this study, a biodiesel blend was developed from the waste cooking oil methyl ester (WCOME) and soya bean oil methyl ester (SBME), namely, the optimum blend of WCOME-SBME (BM100) biodiesel. This biodiesel-biodiesel mixture (hybrid biodiesel) was in turn blended with 15 % of ethanol to give a biodiesel mixture-ethanol blend (BME15). The biodiesel-biodiesel mixture has a better density than the individual biodiesels, SBME had lower viscosity compared to BM100 and WCOME. The presence of ethanol in the hybrid biodiesel blend reduced both kinematic viscosity and the high density of the blend. BM100 also exhibited a better heating value compared to the individual biodiesels. Engine performance and emissions were tested using diesel (D100), WCOME, SBME, BM100, and BME15, and experimental results obtained compared with predicted using Diesel-RK software. The results indicated that at the maximum speed of 2500 rpm, BM100 performed better in terms of brake power (BP), brake thermal efficiency (BTE), brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), and brake mean effective pressure compared to the individual biodiesels (WCOME and SBME) but marginally poorer to D100. The BTE of BME15 is comparable to BM100. On the other hand, BME15 exhibited better emission characteristics having the lowest NO, particulate matter (PM), and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions compared to D100, WCOME, SBME, and BM100. Overall, when both engine performance and emission are considered BM100 increased engine performance compared to WCOME and SBME while BME15 is more effective in decreasing NO, PM, and HC emissions.

Physicochemical Characterization and Butanol Impact on Canola and Waste Cooking Oil Biodiesels: A Comparative Analysis with Binary Biodiesel Blends

“…These reductions have varied between 6% and 23%, correlating with the increase in butanol. Similar results have been reported in the studies of Huang et al, (2020); Ramuhaheli et al (2022).…”

“…The addition of butanol to binary biodiesel blends has decreased the density values of the blended fuels. Previous studies have also indicated that the addition of alcohol reduces the density values of binary biodiesel blends (Ramuhaheli et al, 2022). It is observed that all biodiesel and blended fuels conform to the standards.…”

“…This can be attributed to the fact that the flash point value of pure butanol is 34 °C. Ramuhaheli et al (2022) reported a 40% decrease in flash point by adding 15% ethanol to a binary biodiesel blend in their study. Researchers have indicated that the addition of alcohol to fuel blends lowers the flash point (Álvarez et al, 2019; Örs et al, 2019).…”

“…Bhuiya et al (2017) investigation into poppy and waste cooking biodiesel-diesel blends underscored their potential to significantly reduce CO, HC, and PM emissions. Lastly, Ramuhaheli et al (2022) study introduced a hybrid biodiesel blend from waste cooking oil and soya bean oil, showcasing improved engine performance and reduced emissions. This comprehensive review aims to distill insights from these diverse studies to offer a nuanced understanding of the implications of biodiesel blending on fuel characteristics and engine behavior.…”