Blending Strategies and Properties of Biodiesel

Abstract

The increasing need for energy and the non-renewability of conventional diesel have led researchers to turn their attention to the development of alternative fuels. In this context, biodiesel and alcohols have gained recognition as promising oxygenated alternative fuel additives that can be used in modern diesel engines with minimal changes. In this chapter, vegetable oils blended with alcohols and diesel are analysed with respect to their properties for use in diesel engines, and the properties of biodiesel, alcohols, and pure diesel are also analysed. Biofuels are appropriate for diesel engines because of their physicochemical similarities to pure diesel. Alcohol and biodiesels have higher oxygen contents, which ensure complete combustion and less harmful emissions from engines. A decreased calorific value has a negative impact on engine efficiency. In the past, several volumetric blends of biodiesel and diesel were employed in diesel engines, but numerous studies have demonstrated that the B20 blend (20% biodiesel–80% diesel) provides the best performance and low emissions. Future fuels with ternary compositions of alcohol, biodiesel, and diesel have enormous potential. It is important to evaluate recent studies on the use of alcohols as fuel additives in the form of ternary blends. Therefore, this chapter is centred on how ternary blends affect a diesel engine’s ability to perform better, with low emissions. It was found that adding between 10 and 80% of biodiesel and between 5 and 45% of alcohol to diesel was the most appropriate solution.