Performance and emission characteristics of biodiesel-blend in diesel engine: A review

Abstract

Many researchers delve for an alternative fuel to overcome the fossil fuel crisis. Developed countries have embarked focus on renewable energy like wind energy, geothermal, biofuel, ocean energy and solar energy. Biodiesel is considered to be one of the most felicitous one kinds of renewable energy with similar properties of diesel fuel. Biodiesel is gaining prominence due to the global fossil fuel crisis and emission control challenges. Biodiesel blends are formulated in numerous proportion with diesel to run the diesel engine and it has significantly reduced the harmful pollutants from contaminating the environment. This review paper summarizes the outcome of biodiesel blends on properties, performance and emission-quality of a diesel engine under different operating conditions. Results from the literature provide a comparative data between conventional diesel and diesel-biodiesel blend which indicates that the diesel-biodiesel blend provides shorter ignition delay and lesser heat release rate as well as slightly higher efficiency. The emissions like CO, HC and particulate matter are reduced while choosing biodiesel blends. Biodiesel blend with additives such as alcohol can be the appropriate solution for the fuel crisis. Finally, the review concludes the advantages and future scope of biodiesel as a better competent for diesel fuel.