Effects of Fuel Additive on Performance and Emissions Characteristics of Diesel Engine Fuelled by Biodiesel Derived from Palm Oil

Abstract

Biodiesel is the alternate fuel which is derived from renewable sources either is vegetable oils or animal fats. Biodiesel is non-toxic, have higher biodegradability, free of sulphur, no aromatics and its oxygen content of about 10-11% which is usually not contained in diesel fuel. These characteristics thus predominantly influences to the emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) in the exhaust gas. Purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of fuel additive, oil palm blended fuel, engine speed and test load conditions on the exhaust emissions and engine performance. The engine speed was varied from 1500 to 3000 rpm, load test condition varied by dynapack chassis dynamometer in 0, 50 and 100% and blends of 5(B5), 10(B10) and 15vol%(B15) palm oil with the diesel fuel. Increased of blends ratio with same mixing booster quantity can improve the engine performance, combustion process and give less CO emission. However, this condition tends to produce high NOx production due to higher oxygenated fuel in biodiesel content.