Effect of the addition of essential oils-based bio-additive on biodiesel B30 performance during durability and field tests

Abstract

Abstract The Indonesia Government has implemented the mandatory B30 program or mixing 30% biodiesel with 70% diesel oil since January 2020, and it has become one of the priority programs to reduce emissions and dependency on fossil fuels. Researchers have reported that the use of biodiesel has an impact on engine filter clogging and fuel performance. This problem can be overcome by bio-additives addition. Several researchers also reported that essential oils can function as fuel bio-additives. This study aimed to identify B30 performance with and without the addition of bio-additives during engine durability and field tests. In this study, the bio-additives used were formulations of a mixture of essential oils (turpentine, rhodinol, and clove terpenes). B30 with a mixture of essential oil-based bio-additive formulas was applied directly to the diesel engine, and then analysis was carried out in the form of engine RPM, fuel consumption, filter pressure difference, and smoke emission before and after the durability test. The durability test results for up to 100 hours showed that the values for RPM and power of the engine, fuel consumption, filter pressure differences, and smoke emissions tended to be the same or identical to the values at the beginning phase of the measurement. Field test results showed that the addition of bio-additives can reduce particulate levels in the main tank by up to 60% after 4 days of use, and the same result was obtained in the measurement of water content. The fuel filter with the addition of bio-additives was cleaner than without the addition of bio-additives. The use of bio-additives improves the B30 and still comply with the technical specifications required by the Directorate General of Oil and Gas, Indonesia.