Effects of Biodiesel Blends Varied by Cetane Numbers and Oxygen Contents on Stationary Diesel Engine Performance and Exhaust Emissions

Abstract

This work investigated waste plastic pyrolysis oil (WPPO), 2-ethyl hexyl nitrate (EHN), and ethanol as sources of renewable energy, blending conventional diesel (CD), WPPO, and ethanol with EHN was to improve the combustion and performance characteristics of the WPPO blends. EHN has the potential to reduce emissions of CO, CO2, UHC, NOX, and PM. Ethanol improves viscosity, miscibility, and the oxygen content of WPPO. Mixing ratios were 50/WPPO25/E25, 60/WPPO20/E20, 70/WPPO15/E15, 80/WPPO10/E10, and 90/WPPO5/E5 for CD, waste plastic pyrolysis oil, and ethanol, respectively. The mixing ratio of EHN (0.01%) was based on the total quantity of blended fuel. Performance and emission characteristics of a stationary 4-cylinder water-cooled diesel Iveco power generator were evaluated with ASTM standards. At 1000 rpm, the BSFC was 0.043 kg/kWh compared to CD at 0.04 kg/kWh. Blend 90/WPPO5/E5 had the highest value of 14% for BTE, while the NOX emissions for 90/WPPO5/E5, 80/WPPO10/E10, and 70/WPPO15/E15 were 384, 395, and 414 ppm, respectively, compared to CD fuel at 424 ppm. This is due to their densities of 792 kg/m3, 825 kg/m3 which are close to CD fuel at 845 kg/m3 and the additive EHN. These results show blends of WPPO, ethanol and EHN reduce emissions, and improve engine performance, mimicking CD fuel.