Effect of Palm Oil Biodiesel Blends on Engine Emission and Performance Characteristics in an Internal Combustion Engine ()
ABSTRACT
Increasing global environmental issues
and depleting fossil fuel reserves has necessitated the need for alternative
and sustainable fuel. In this paper, the effects of biodiesel and its blend on
engine emission and performance characteristics in an internal combustion
engine were analyzed. Biodiesel derived from the transesterification of raw palm oil
was blended with diesel fuel at different proportions designated as PO5 (5% Biodiesel and 95%
Diesel), PO10 (10% Biodiesel and 90% Diesel), PO15 (15% Biodiesel and 85%
Diesel), PO20 (20% Biodiesel and 80% Diesel), PO50 (50% Biodiesel and 50%
Diesel), PO85 (85% Biodiesel and 15% Diesel), and PO100 (100% Biodiesel). A
Lombardini 2-cylinder, four-stroke direct injection diesel engine with a compression
ratio of 22.8 was developed using Ricardo Wave software in which diesel, palm
oil biodiesel blends and pure biodiesel are used in the model, and the
obtained results were analysed and presented. The simulation was done under varying engine
speeds of 1200 rpm to 3200 rpm at full load condition. Biodiesel and its blends are more
environment-friendly and non-toxic when compared to diesel fuel; it also
improves the mechanical efficiency of the engines, and above all can also lead
to a reduction in poverty among rural dwellers. The
obtained results showed that brake specific
fuel consumption and brake thermal efficiency increased with
palm oil biodiesel blends as compared to diesel fuel which might be a result of biodiesel’s lower
heating value, and the increase in thermal energy may be a result of the
oxygenation of the biodiesel blend as compared to pure diesel. In terms of
brake torque, palm oil biodiesel blends were lesser than diesel fuel. The CO,
HC, and NOx emissions of palm oil biodiesel blends decreased
significantly compared to that of pure diesel. From this study, palm oil
biodiesel emits lesser emissions than
diesel fuel and its performance characteristics are similar to diesel fuel.
Therefore, palm oil biodiesel can be used without
any modifications directly in a diesel engine. In addition, it can also be used
as blends as an alternative and sustainable fuel, decreasing air pollution, and
increasing environmental sustainability.
Share and Cite:
Ajie, A. , Ojapah, M. and Diemuodeke, E. (2023) Effect of Palm Oil Biodiesel Blends on Engine Emission and Performance Characteristics in an Internal Combustion Engine.
Open Journal of Energy Efficiency,
12, 13-24. doi:
10.4236/ojee.2023.121002.
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